Applications Invited for Project Grant under Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Innovations for Livelihood (SUNIL) Programme

Organization: Department of Science and Technology (DST)

Apply By: 06 Feb 2023

About the Organization

India is one of the top-ranking countries in the field of basic research. Indian Science has come to be regarded as one of the most powerful instruments of growth and development, especially in the emerging scenario and competitive economy. In the wake of the recent developments and the new demands that are being placed on the S&T system, it is necessary for us to embark on some major science projects which have relevance to national needs and which will also be relevant for tomorrow’s technology. The Department of Science & Technology plays a pivotal role in promotion of science & technology in the country. The department has wide ranging activities ranging from promoting high end basic research and development of cutting edge technologies on one hand to service the technological requirements of the common man through development of appropriate skills and technologies on the other.

About the Grant

Project proposals are invited through e-PMS Portal (https://onlinedst.gov.in/) for consideration of support under the programme Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Innovations for Livelihood (SUNIL), of Science for Equity, Empowerment & Development (SEED) Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. SUNIL programme aims to support technology delivery and models of social enterprise creation for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of society including need-based & action research projects to identify local and systemic solutions to implement S&T based projects at community level. The candidate belonging to EWSs are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs, STs and OBC category and have an annual gross income of less than Rs. 8 lakhs including earnings from all sources for the fiscal year such as agriculture, salaries, businesses, etc. At least 50-70% of the total beneficiaries of the project should belong to EWS Community.

Focus of the SUNIL programme is not only limited to the deployment of many field-tested models and location-specific technologies to meet the needs of economically weaker sections {such as small land holder farmers, traditional artisans (e.g. blacksmiths, weavers, carpenters etc.), landless laborer and population working for unorganized sector (including transgender and prisoners)}. It also encourages improving their S&T knowledge, skill enhancement, capacity building and socioeconomic conditions. Call is invited in following three aspects-

• Technology interventions for Addressing Societal Needs (TIASN)
• Technology delivery & enterprise creation model for improving efficiency of livelihood system
• Capacity Building of Community-based organizations (CBOs), NGOs, Knowledge Institutions (KI) & Social Start-ups

Duration of Project support: The duration of project support will be for a period of 3-5 years based on the proposed activities and deliverables.

Project Partners: S&T capable NGOs and Knowledge Institutions for collaborative S&T research and interventions involving other Community based organizations viz. Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Social entrepreneurs, Start-ups and community.

Eligibility

A coordinated project proposal involving above-mentioned partners should be submitted online. Before applying to new proposal, PI must ensure to maintain maximum two number of ongoing projects supported to Host Institution (HI) by SEED division at a time. Organizations already working on two ongoing projects supported by SEED division need not to apply under this call for proposal. Teams eligible for receiving project grants under the SUNIL Programme include:

 Principal Investigator (PI)/ Co-PI from KI-

• Scientists, engineers, technologist working IITs, NITs, Autonomous Bodies/Aided Institutions and other educational institutions/ Universities under Central/State Governments, R&D institutions, laboratories having adequate infrastructure and project implementation experience at societal level.

Principal Investigator (PI)/ Co-PI from NGOs-

• Non-Governmental Organization/Voluntary organizations/private institutions with minimum 3 years field level experience in S&T interventions and management should have delivered proven technology models for field level applications to community after registration. Experience in handling projects having focus on S & T with support from scientific departments of Govt. of India will be encouraged.
• S&T based voluntary organizations/institutions should come with legal status or as a society registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 or a trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act 1982 or Charitable or Religious Act 1920 or under the corresponding State Act.
• Prior to applying for project proposal grant, it is mandatory for every NGO to register first at NGO- DARPAN portal of NITI Aayog https://ngodarpan.gov.in and to get NGO Unique ID.
• Signed audited statements are available (at least for the last three financial year): balance sheet, income and expenditure statement, receipts and payments account, schedules to these, notes on accounts and the statutory auditor’s report.
• NGOs/VOs Should submit Foreign contribution regulation Act (FCRA) certificate (to access international funding if any). Involvement of CBOs/Community Groups/FPOs/ SHGs & Social ventures: Direct funding to this group of project partners will not be supported. However, they will have to apply through NGOs or KIs mentioning their specific role and budgetary requirement in the project proposal.
• FPOs promoted and supported by Government Departments, Corporates and Domestic & International Aid Agencies, NABARD, SFAC) or registered on e-NAM platform and having formal working space/ office, bank account and Aadhar details etc.
• SHGs registered by Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Common Service Centre (CSC), NABARD or having saving bank account in the name of SHG.
• Social Start-ups and Entrepreneurs including private as well as state sponsored incubators who offer accelerated technological and innovation growth etc.

How to Apply                                        

The applicants, after assessing their eligibility and suitability as per the eligibility conditions of the programme, shall be required to apply through e-Project Management System (e-PMS Portal) (https://onlinedst.gov.in/) (Open in Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for better results), attaching required documents with the signatures and rubber stamps of the concerned persons/ officials, failing which will reject the proposal. It is mandatory to submit the proposals online mode only.

Last date of application: 6th Feb. 2023

For more information please check the Link