Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST)

The Scheme “Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST)” is intended to provide basic infrastructure and enabling facilities for promoting R&D activities in new and emerging areas and attracting fresh talents in universities & other educational institutions. It is considered as complimentary support for enabling Departments/ Centres/ Schools/ Colleges to pursue research activities more effectively and efficiently.

DST is restructuring the immensely successful FIST programme to orient it towards the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat by creating R&D infrastructure not only for R&D activities in academic organizations but also for use by the start-ups/ manufacturing industries/ MSMEs. Appropriate mechanisms including use of the FIST facilities through multiple shifts have been communicated to the beneficiaries through a public notice to promote optimal utilization of these resources.

The beneficiary organizations need to display a Public Notice exhibiting the FIST Logo to represent the face of the restructured FIST Program. They also need to connect with the I-STEM (Indian - Science Technology and Engineering Facilities Map) portal to display the utility and availability of slots of different facilities in their premises, for sample analysis by researchers outside the host organization.

Nature of Support: The Scheme will provide optimal infrastructure facilities for post-graduate and higher research, such as, renovation of existing laboratory space (no fresh constructions) and cold room, modernization of laboratories involved in PG and higher research, acquisition of essential equipment, up-gradation of existing facilities, networking & computational facilities including software & databases, scientific & technical books (no journals), maintenance & refurbishing of existing and new facilities etc. The facilities provided under the Program are intended to support the efforts of the Department as a whole or a number of faculty members in the Department. Proposal towards individual R&D support would not be accepted under this Scheme. The synergy and focus of research may preferably be aligned to National Missions/ priorities.

Duration:

The duration of support for each FIST Project will be for a period of 5 years.

Eligibility:

For University / Degree awarding Academic Institutions, the support will be considered for the 'Department / School / Centre' as a unit. All Science and Engineering Departments/ Centres having strong PG research programs which have existed for at least 5 years or more in universities and other higher educational institutions recognized or regulated by UGC/ AICTE and/or MHRD/ State Education Department. Educational organizations under the aegis of other Ministries/ Depts./ Agencies are excluded from the scope of FIST support.

It may be noted that all such Department/ Centre/ School that have already received support under FIST Program must ensure submission of all relevant documents towards final settlement and closure of the concerned project after completion of the ongoing project tenure and obtain the ‘Project Completion Certificate’.

For College, the support to 'College as a whole' shall be considered for the post-graduate S&T departments only and not for other Departments i.e., Humanities, Management, Commerce etc. In addition, NITs/ IITs/ Schools/ Centres/ University Constituent Colleges are not eligible to apply under Level ‘A’.

Further eligibility parameters and criteria for considering a proposal for support under FIST Program are based on the type of support and are provided, subsequently.

Type of Support: Currently, there are four types of support corresponding to four different levels. These are as follows:

1. Level ‘A’ (Academic-PGC): Proposals from active PG Colleges (Govt./ Govt. aided/ Private) (having eligibility as specified for Level-A) shall be considered for a maximum support of up to Rs. 1.50 crores for establishing research facilities for the S & T for 5 years duration.
2. Level ‘B’ (Basic R&D Depts.): Proposals from relatively small but active post-graduate S&T Department from different Universities (having eligibility as specified for Level-B) and degree awarding academic Institutions requiring moderate funding for improving quality of research. The support would be up to Rs 3.0 crores for 5 years duration for augmentation of research facilities to a Department/ School/ Centre.
3. Level ‘C’ (Contemporary R&D Depts.): Proposals from well-established S&T Department from State/ Central Universities and degree awarding academic Institutions (having eligibility as specified for Level-C) with high repute requiring substantial funding (upper limit - Rs.10.0 crores for 5 years duration) for acquiring state-of-the-art equipment & setting up laboratories for conducting internationally competitive research.
4. FIST – SHAKTI (Supporting High-End Advanced Knowledge and Technology Infrastructure):SHAKTI is an institutional-level funding component under the FIST program, aimed at enhancing broader participation across STEM departments. The facilities proposed under SHAKTI must be high-end, state-of-the-art, and technologically advanced, with a strong and active user base both within the host institution and from external organizations.

Outcomes / Outputs:

The FIST Program has provided sustained funding for over two decades, significantly impacting numerous departments across the country by enabling advanced research in contemporary areas of science and technology and establishing modern research facilities.

In its 23 completed rounds, the FIST Advisory Board (FISTAB) has recommended support for more than 3,285 departments and postgraduate colleges, with a total sanctioned budget of approximately ₹3,458.95 crores.

This flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has been instrumental in aligning national research capabilities with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. It has done so by strengthening R&D infrastructure not only for academic institutions but also for broader use by startups, manufacturing industries, and MSMEs.

To ensure optimal utilization, DST has introduced mechanisms such as multi-shift usage of FIST-supported facilities and issued public notices guiding beneficiaries on effective resource sharing. The restructured FIST Program now also emphasizes Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) and enhanced industry collaboration, promoting a more inclusive and innovation-driven research ecosystem.

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