1. Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Local Innovations for Livelihood (SUNIL) programme

SUNIL programme aims to strengthen the livelihood efficiency of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of society through technology delivery & social enterprise creation. Focus of the programme is not only limited to the deployment of many field-tested models and location-specific technologies to meet the needs of citizens, it also encourages improving their S&T knowledge, skill enhancement, capacity building and socio-economic conditions. The programme covers majorly (but not limited to) the areas of Natural Resource Management; Drinking Water & Sanitation; Education; Health & Nutrition; Social Security; Local transport & Development; Electricity & Clean Energy; Entertainment; Integrated-farming & best practices; Linking people to financial services; Phone & Internet facilities; Livelihood & skill development etc.

Objectives

• To identify the strengths & weaknesses of existing livelihood system of EWS community and implement S&T based local/ systemic solutions at community level;
• To provide emerging & locally appropriate STI solutions to strengthen weakest link of livelihood system and improve the S&T capacity, skills, forward & backward linkages and socio-economic conditions of community-based organizations;
• To utilize strongest link of local livelihood system for encouraging social entrepreneurship development for EWS.

Project implementation model

• The programme encourages ‘Land-Lab-Land’ Model of implementation and cross-bridge collaboration with involvement of multiple organizations in a network-like structure (eg. ‘Hub & Spoke’, ‘Peer-to-peer’).
• It is mandatory to include at least one Knowledge Institute (KI) and one Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to ensure a balanced approach between research, development and participation of community in project implementation.  
• The involvement of Knowledge Institutes (KI), NGOs, target community, local Govt., and other Community based organizations viz. Community Interest Groups (CIG), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Social entrepreneurs, Start-ups and community will be encouraged.
• The total financial grant proposed under project will be released to Lead/ Hub agency from KO or NGO (a signed MoU/ consent mentioning role of each partner in the project will be required for all shortlisted proposals).

More details of project implementing partners and technologies are available at www.dsttara.in.

Principal Investigator (PI) & Co-PI (Scientist/Researcher/Engineer/Technologist)

• Type -1: From Knowledge Institutions (KI) such as 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.

• Type -2: From Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) /private institutions with minimum 3 years of relevant field level experience in S&T interventions and delivery of proven technology on field level applications.

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.

List of projects supported in last 5 years: 

2019-2020228.09 KB

2020-2021223.45 KB

2021-2022395.12 KB

2023-2024479.59 KB

2024-2025390.1 KB

5. Report of ‘Science & Society Setu for Atma Nirbhar Bharat (S34ANB)’509.78 KB

* Details on Funding Pattern, Shortlisting & Selection Criteria, Operation of Programme, Monitoring & Evaluation Indicators and Proforma of Project Proposal is available in “Guidelines of SUNIL programme” [https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/Guidelines-SUNIL-English.pdf624.42 KB].

Proposal submission guidelines505.84 KB

2. Technology Interventions for Disabled and Elderly (TIDE)

TIDE programme is a unique initiative of DST to create inclusiveness and universal accessibility for Divyangjan and the Elderly, through promotion and development of various assistive tools, technologies, techniques, affordable & adaptable to the Indian milieu. Proposals are supported under six (6) different broad thematic areas as mentioned below.

• Elderly/Geriatric Sector
• Visual Disability (including low vision)
• Intellectual Disabilities (including Learning Disabilities)
• Hearing & Speech Disabilities
• Locomotor Disability
• Multiple Disabilities

Some of the notable technologies developed under the TIDE programme in different categories are as follows:

Elderly:

Hip protection devices, automatic pill box, medicine recognition and alerting systems, fall detectors, dental attachments, walkers and wheelchairs.

Divyangjan: Cognition based Intelligent Mobility Device (Wheel Chair), Apex Locating, Anti-microbial and Adaptive Gutta Percha (GP) Points for Root Canal Applications             

Children with Special Ability: Speech-Input Speech–Output Communication Aid (SISOCA), Intelligent Tutoring System and Interactive Teaching Aid for Autistic Children (ITAAC), Artificial Intelligence Based Non-Invasive System for the Identification and Assessment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Visually Impaired: Dotbook and Interline Braille Slate for education for Children with intellectual and visual disabilities, Blind Assistive Device.

Hearing and Speech Disability: Speech- Input Speech–Output Communication Aid (SISOCA),

3. Scheme for Young Scientists and Technologists (SYST)

Scheme for Young Scientist & Technologist (SYST) programme of Department of Science and Technology (DST) aims to motivate and nurture young scientist & technologists who have adequate background and training in fields of science and technology and inclined to undertake application oriented socially relevant research projects. Young Scientists are supported for finding affordable and adaptable Science and Technological (S&T) solutions for identi­fied socio-economic challenges and strengthening the livelihood of marginalized communities for sustainable and inclusive development of society. The programme focusses on the development/demonstration of technologies, techniques and processes for societal problems through Science and Technology (S&T) interventions. The themes covered for innovative S&T solutions for societal issues include livelihood, health, hygiene, sanitation, waste valorisation etc. 

ELIGIBILITY

• Quali­fication: Ph.D. in Basic and Applied Sciences/MD/MS/Engineering. Those who have submitted PhD thesis will also be considered.
• Age: Less than 40 years on the last date of submission of the application.
• Age relaxation of 5 years for Women/ Differently-abled (Divyangjan) /SC/ST/OBC/EWS.

For young scientists who don’t have regular employment

• Young Scientists should align himself/herself with Academic (Govt/Pvt) S&T departments or S&T Institutions.
• The host organization must agree to facilitate smooth execution of the project and provide necessary infrastructure/ facilities for this purpose.
• Mentor: Mentor should hold a Permanent/Regular position and possess expertise in proposed area of intervention.

Compendium of Technologies developed2.91 MB

Keys points for submitting proposals under SYST programme0 bytes

Projects supported (in last 5 years):

2020-2021256.9 KB

2021-2022263.11 KB

2022-202335.7 KB

2023-202483.99 KB

2024-2025226.81 KB

Success Stories:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086502

https://dst.gov.in/foldscope-microscopy-empowering-farmers-chhattisgarh-...

https://dst.gov.in/herbal-remedy-gout-can-improve-lifestyle-elderly-people

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2043237

4. Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP)

Special Component Plan for Scheduled Castes (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) Schemes empowers SC and ST population through the input of Science and Technology and create their sustainable livelihoods and holistic development. The SEED Division had supported around 500 S&T projects under the TSP and SCSP Schemes during the last two decades in different states in diverse areas of agriculture, resource management, microenterprise development, art & craft, post-harvest technologies, health and nutrition, engineering and allied aspects, training and skill development, drinking water and sanitation, and energy to improve the quality of life of SC/ST communities and bring them into the mainstream of development with an improvement in knowledge, attitude and practices. A coordinated programme on People and Protected Areas (PPA) has been implemented for development of 30,000 tribal in the forest fringe areas and around protected areas/wild life sanctuaries in 13 states and 1 UT through a network 16 NGOs by promoting site-specific interventions and use of affordable and viable technologies for livelihood augmentation, as well as conservation of natural resources.

i) Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs

Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs have been established in different regions of the country for holistic development of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) Communities through systemic interventions. These STI Hubs develop, nurture and ensure the development, improvement and delivery of appropriate and relevant STI approaches for equitable inclusive growth of the SC and ST population through creation of sustainable livelihoods and improving the quality of life in tune to their growing aspirations. 20 STI Hubs (13 for SC and 7 for ST) have been established in different regions of the country to address the weakest linkages in the predominant livelihood systems through S&T interventions and for creation of social enterprises based on the livelihood strengths.

5. Science and Technology for Women (S&T for Women) (Guidelines)622.76 KB

The scheme ‘Science and Technology for Women’, initiated in 1982, with the aim to promote gender equality, empower women with inputs of science and technology has nearly benefitted more than 50,000 women across the country. About 1500 projects in diverse fields aimed at improving the livelihoods of women at grassroots level had been supported. About 46 women technology parks established as single-window hubs for convergence of diversified technologies, integrated with forward and backward linkages had benefitted more than 20,000 women to build capacities in new trades and skills with scientific knowledge leading to development of women entrepreneurs also. Under this programme, projects related to establishment of women technology parks, drudgery reduction, Health & Nutrition, minimizing occupational hazards and livelihood status improvement are supported with prime women beneficiaries.

i). Women Technology Parks

 Women Technology Parks (WTP) aim to improve the weakest link of the predominant livelihood system of women in an area and promote social entrepreneurship and women employment based on the strongest link of the livelihood system through interventions of Science, Technology and Innovations. Efforts are done that women in rural and peri-urban areas receive training in WTPs for skill development and capacity building as per National Skill Qualification Framework through S&T based interventions, using area specific resources, with goal of achieving local self- reliance for economic re-growth. Currently 25 Women Technology Parks are operational at various locations in the country. Nearly 1500 women were trained during the last year through online /offline training programmes in these WTPs. Some case success stories have been given under at https://dst.gov.in/success-stories-dst.