Deadline: 30-Jul-23
The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India is seeking proposals for the “Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institutes (SATHI)” Program.
Inclusive purpose of SATHI is generation/ creation of knowledge adopting best practices of such facility, to promote translational research in thematic areas and to take forward to next stage to gain better societal outreach. Predominantly it would emphasize on testing, designing, prototyping, proof-of concept, manufacturing, insertion of business planner, start-ups, MSME, related engineering industries and their back & forth connectivity from R&D to industry and to boost indigenous presence comprising all level together at local and global scale. Noticeably, this would encourage & ensure to establish a National Network of Laboratories and testing facilities, tightly linked to global standards. Hence higher efficacy of SATHI through focused approach of viz: Technology, Testing, Certification & Compliance (T2C2) model will boostup the clusters of academia as well as industries.
SATHI Scheme
- SATHI Scheme is largely aiming at:
- acquiring of high-end equipment and Research Infrastructure (RI) / facilities necessary for research/ testing/ manufacturing/ fabrication and to cater service by understanding the demands of researchers, scientists, students, start-ups, manufacturing units, industries and R&D Labs,
- to provide access and sharing of scientific equipment and research infrastructure (RI),
- Capacity building of scientific & technical manpower
- d) Monitoring of usage of expensive scientific research facilities for its maximum utilization and to be a part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (Self Reliant India Campaign).
Type of Support
- Following funding support will be provided: –
- Proposals from well established, internationally competitive S&T host institute(s) / R&D Centre(s) / Organization(s) irrespective of their status, as Government / NonGovernment, from State/ Central Universities are invited through networking and a cluster approach. The upper limit of funding support from DST would be Rs 60.0 crores (including both Non-recurring & recurring grant) for 4 years duration, for acquiring only state-of-the-art national facility, i.e., SATHI facility (For understanding of other norms/ guidelines/ clauses anyone should refer “Terms & Condition” document of SATHI comprises of ~14 pages). The recurring cost would be of ~07% to 10% of the total cost of Non-recurring head. A not-for-profit Section-8 company as well as Governing Body (GB) formation is compulsory in consortium mode before the support of granting agency.
Duration: The duration of support for SATHI Project will be for a period not exceeding 4 years.
Eligibility Criteria
- Both Government and Non-Government academic Institutions / DSIR recognized R&D centres / Organizations / Private industries with DSIR recognition are eligible to apply in cluster, while fulfilling other criteria as mentioned in the format & check-list of SATHI. For University / Degree awarding Academic Institutions / DSIR recognized R&D centres / organizations/ private industries with DSIR recognition, the support will be considered for that region in a cluster approach (at national level, if supported).
- The Government and Non-Government Academic Organization enjoying the previous support of SAIF/ PURSE grant of DST, has to either merge those facilities with SATHI project or forgo the SAIF/ PURSE grant, if recommended recently, before implementing the SATHI grant at cluster level. PRIVATE Academic University/ Institution / Organization under Not-for-Profit status would be considered as Academic Institutions (Private) option during the process of online submission of proposal.
- Criteria for proposals to be considered for support under SATHI Program: –
- For the host institute(s) / R&D Centre(s) / Organization(s) irrespective of their status, as Government / Non- Government, the funding pattern & its mode will be maintained at 75:25 ratio, i.e., DST share would be 75% and the management of the Government / Non-Government Grantee Institute / R&D center would need to bear 25% of the total sanctioned cost of the project through networking and cluster approach. Aiming for the sharing mode {matchingfunding basis} at 75:25 ratio, {DST Share-75% and selected cluster share -25%} the upper limit of share of DST would be of Rs.60.0 crores (including both Recurring + Non-recurring).
- The share of 25% (of total sanctioned amount) needs to be contributed by the grantee organization as well as other cluster organization(s), from its own income sources and not from diverting the funds available under the Grant-in-aids received from other Department of Government of India or from the CFI, GoI. The lead organization should be in a place to provide the one roof area facility and partner organization may participate on sharing mode of matching fund basis, while targeting to share the 25% of total sanctioned amount including both Recurring & Non-recurring heads.
Selection Process
- The selection will be through a peer review mechanism and on-spot visit to the Host Institute / University / R&D institute / Centre / Organization, if necessary. A National Steering Committee (NSC) at apex level will assist the DST in making the final selection of any cluster to establish SATHI facility of that region, if required
For more information, visit SATHI.