Applications Invited for Project Proposal under Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Innovations for Livelihood (SUNIL) programme

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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 for financial support under the programme Strengthening, Upscaling & Nurturing Innovations for Livelihood (SUNIL), Science for Equity, Empowerment & Development (SEED) Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.

About SUNIL programme:

The programme aims to support need-based & action research projects for delivery of locally appropriate pilot-tested technologies and social enterprise creation of field-tested S&T models to strengthen the livelihood efficiency of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of society {such as small and marginal farmers, landless laborer, workers in non-farm sector,  traditional artisans (e.g. blacksmiths, mason, weavers, carpenters etc.) and skilled & semi-skilled rural/urban population working in unorganized sector (including construction, workers transgender and prisoners)}. It also encourages improving their S&T knowledge, skill enhancement, capacity building and socio-economic conditions.

Identification of EWS:

More than 50% of the target beneficiaries under the project should belong to EWS and implementing institute/organization/agency will ensure to produce the income & asset certificate of the beneficiaries selected as and when required.

Identification of geographical coverage area:

The proposed geographical area should be identified on the basis of preliminary assessment of the people, availability of minimum infrastructural facilities particularly roads, water & sanitation, health centres, communication medium, marketing facilities, electricity and potential for irrigation; climate, land use pattern, crops & cropping patterns, natural resources & raw materials, availability of special skills/ trades; and presence of local organizations like Panchayats, cooperatives, voluntary groups, FPOs, SHGs etc. It is desirable to consider Indigenous Knowledge (IK)/ Traditional Knowledge (TK), skill & practices, socio-economic status and demographic details of target population including their present livelihood conditions, present average income level and occupations of the target beneficiaries. A base-line survey on the above should be conducted before submission of project proposal.

Project implementation model:

• Multiple organizations are encouraged to apply in a network structure such as ‘Hub & Spoke model’. It is mandatory to involve at least one NGO and one KI partner in the project implementation. In Hub & Spoke/ network project, total financial grant proposed under project will be released to Lead/ Hub agency. A signed MoU/ consent mentioning role of each partner in the project will be required for all shortlisted proposals.
• The programme encourages the Land-Lab-Land approach of project implementation, first to identify regional/ local and livelihood-centric issues or challenges being faced by target population and then, deployment of adapted technologies & sustainable scientific solutions from Lab to field.
• 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.
• Before applying to new proposal, PI/ organization must ensure to maintain maximum two number of ongoing projects supported to Host Institution (HI) by SEED division at a time.

Thematic areas for proposal submission -

Identifying needs of the local community and providing innovative, low-cost and user-friendly S&T based solutions to address the challenges in following livelihood sectors -

• Precision Agriculture and farm automation
• Sustainability in traditional handicraft and handloom
• S&T driven eco-tourism (including wildlife, cultural, adventure, marine, agriculture) for preserving natural ecosystems, supporting local communities, and promoting economy
• Supply chain optimization in on-farm and off-farm ventures

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.

Who can apply

A coordinated/network project proposal involving multiple project partners from KI and S&T enabled NGOs should be submitted online through e-Project Management System (e-PMS Portal) (https://onlinedst.gov.in/). Project partners eligible for receiving financial grant under the SUNIL programme include:

Principal Investigator (PI) & Co-PI

• Scientists, engineers, technologist working in 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.
• Non-Governmental Organization/private institutions with minimum 3 years of relevant field level experience in S&T interventions and delivery of proven technology on field level applications.
• Experience in handling projects having focus on S&T with support from scientific departments of Govt. of India will be encouraged.
• NGO 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. Details of NGO will be verified through DARPAN portal of NITI Aayog https://ngodarpan.gov.in .
• 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 during implementation of project: Direct funding to these groups 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, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) or registered on e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market) platform and having formal working space/ office, bank account and Aadhar details etc.
• SHGs supported and guided by Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Common Service Centre (CSC), NABARD and having saving bank account in the name of SHG.
• Social Start-ups/entrepreneurs including private as well as state sponsored incubators who offer accelerated technological and innovation growth etc. with socio-economic development of target community under project area.

How to Apply

Deadline: Apr 30 2025 11:59PM) (IST)

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Innovations and Technology Livelihood Research Others