Deadline: 21-Aug-2025
The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), is inviting practical and applied research proposals to support the understanding and management of shallow aquifers in Indian cities. This initiative is part of the Shallow Aquifer Management (SAM 2.0) program under AMRUT 2.0.
The goal is to strengthen the scientific evidence base for shallow aquifer management through interdisciplinary, solution-oriented research. Up to ten selected proposals will receive a grant of up to INR 5 lakh for conducting short-term yet impactful research.
The research should contribute to the ongoing efforts under AMRUT 2.0 by enhancing knowledge that can guide urban shallow aquifer management. It should also help map the current research landscape, highlight knowledge gaps, and address region-specific needs across Indian cities. Projects are expected to strengthen implementation capacities in cities by piloting or applying research outputs and building readiness for scale-up. In addition, the call aims to spotlight innovative solutions and start-ups offering technologies or operational models that can be adapted for groundwater management.
Proposals can focus on governance and planning, such as institutional frameworks, regulations, or integrating groundwater concerns into urban planning. Projects may also involve citizen engagement through community participation, awareness campaigns, and local recharge efforts. Another area includes hydrogeology and mapping to quantify and analyze aquifers and recharge zones. Proposals using data science to build tools like GIS platforms, mobile applications, or dashboards for urban aquifer monitoring and decision-making are also welcomed.
Selected proposals will receive funding support up to INR 5,00,000. Researchers will have opportunities to present actionable outcomes in SAM 2.0 cities, participate in a two-day workshop in Delhi for idea refinement and networking, and publish in a special issue of a reputed journal. Eligible applicants include academic and research institutions, think-tanks, and NGOs. A certificate of meritorious achievement will also be awarded to successful applicants.
For more information, visit NIUA.
