Long Term Core Support - Technological Advancement for Rural Areas (TARA)

This scheme under SEED Division is essentially to provide long term Core Support to Science and Technology (S&T) based NGOs to promote and nurture them as “S&T Incubators” / “Active Field Laboratories” in rural and other disadvantaged areas to work and provide technological solutions and effective delivery of technologies for livelihood generation & societal benefits.

Programme Focus:
Focus to support for innovation (i.e. technology evelopment/adaptation) & working technology system with multiplication.
Long-term Action Research Programmes with defined goals for development, field testing and adoption of appropriate technologies to address location specific needs rather than “institutional support”..
Focus sharply on demonstrable replicability and enterprise models: shift to non farm and service sectors.
Especially to support core S&T manpower otherwise difficult to retain in grassroot organizations.
Strengthen a network of S&T capable organizations in the country for application and propagation of appropriate technologies to address location-specific user needs through participatory approach.
Eligibility Conditions & Selection Mechanism:
Organizations with minimum 10 years field level experience in rural technology development and management with proven capability of delivering technology model(s) through adaptive R & D for field level application.
Having minimum infrastructure to work as core supported group (CSG), like land and demonstrate working relations with Panchayats/State Govt. from long-term sustainability point of view.
The organization should have experience in handling projects having focus on S &T with support from scientific departments of Govt. of India.
Selection is based on initial scrutiny at the department level/presentation of proposal before the expert committee (1st level of screening). Based on the recommendation of the expert committee, proposal is further evaluated (2nd level of screening) by a on-site evaluation by expert team to assess need, capability and delivery potential of the organization for proposed programme/activities. After on the spot evaluation, the proposal along with assessment report of the visiting expert team is examined by the expert committee for final recommendation
 

Funding of Projects :
If approved, core funding is provided initially for a period of five to ten years subject to periodic review which may be extendable upto fifteen years and more.

Submission of Application:
Separate format may  be obtained (ensuring the fulfillment of above mentioned eligibility criterion) on a request to
 

Head, 
Science for Equity, Empowerment & Development (SEED) Division,
Department of Science and Technology, Technology Bhavan,
New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi – 110 016
Email: ddutta[at]nic[dot]in
List of Core Support Groups