S014AD

DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023

5.5/10

The DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 aims to support innovative research and development in water-related issues, including availability, distribution, and quality management. It invites proposals from startups and academic institutions across various streams, encouraging collaboration with industry partners to advance water technology solutions.

Central

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry of Science & Technology

Nodal department: Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India

Scheme for: Startups

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Target beneficiaries: Startups

Tags: startups, Water/Environment, Research Funding

Details

Brief

The primary aim of this call is to stimulate research proposals that strongly emphasize solution-oriented scientific work. Proposals should establish a clear connection between the need for scientific research, gaps in existing knowledge, and the demand for project deliverables. The current DST-WTC Call focuses on supporting research in specific themes related to water. These efforts align with the objectives of achieving Sustainable Development Goal #6. Additionally, they complement the missions and programs of other relevant ministries, such as National Water Missions, Jal Jeevan Mission, National Amrit Sarovar Mission, Atal Bhujal Yojana, Har Ghar Nal Scheme, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).

Eligibility

  • Eligibility as per the official scheme document: For the Applied Research Stream (Leading to the establishment of Proof-of-Concept), the proposals are to be led by faculties/ scientists working in a regular position in recognized Academic Organisation /Public funded R&D Institutions/ Laboratories, Central and State government autonomous organizations State S & T councils.
  • For the technology Development Stream (Leading to Lab Scale Demonstration), the proposals have to be submitted in the Institute – Industry / User partnership mode only. The proposals are to be led by faculties/ scientists working in regular positions in recognized Academic Institutions, Public funded R&D Institutions/ Laboratories, State S&T councils in partnership with other academic/ R&D organisations, state-line departments, S&T-based voluntary organisations, DSIR-recognized SIRO organization, etc. The company/industry should be willing to contribute in the form of industry-attributable technical inputs and resources with at least 10% of the project cost in cash.
  • For the Technology Assessment Stream (Leading to Pilot-Scale demonstration of the technology in the field setting), the proposals are to be led by faculties/ scientists working in a regular position in recognized Academic institutions, Public-funded R&D Institutions/ Laboratories in partnership with other academic, R&D organizations, DSIR-recognized R&D organizations, industries, and Users (Utility, Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, Urban Development Authority, etc).
  • For the Convergent Solution Stream, the proposals have to be submitted in consortium mode only. The consortium is expected to be led by faculties/ scientists working in a regular position in recognized academic institutions, public-funded R&D Institutions/ Laboratories, state S&T councils in partnership with other academic/ R&D organisations, state line departments, S&T-based voluntary organizations, etc. Participation of industries/ start-ups is also welcome, wherever applicable. The consortium should essentially include at least a user having an interest in the intervention, a solution designer, and a solution provider.

Tenure

  • August 7, 2023, to Saturday, September 30, 2023, subject to extension

Benefit tags

  • Research Funding

Notes

  • The objective of the call is to mobilize development and applications research proposals having strong solution science orientation. The need for scientific work, the gap in existing knowledge, and the demand for deliverables emanating from the project should be firmly established in the proposal. The present DST-WTC Call would support thematic R&D on issues related to Water Availability, Water Distribution, Water Quality Analysis Treatment, Industrial wastewater recycling, Reuse, and Management, etc. and may help in achieving targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG#6)along with the other in-line Ministries Missions Programmes on water such as National Water Missions, Jal Jeevan Mission, National Amrit Sarovar Mission, Atul Bhujal Yojana, Har Ghar Nal Scheme, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), etc.

Benefits

  • - DST-WTC Call would support thematic R&D on issues related to Water Availability, Water Distribution, Water Quality Analysis Treatment, Industrial wastewater recycling, Reuse, and Management, etc
  • DST-WTC Call would support thematic R&D on issues related to Water Availability, Water Distribution, Water Quality Analysis Treatment, Industrial wastewater recycling, Reuse, and Management, etc

Eligibility

  • Eligibility as per the official scheme document: For the Applied Research Stream (Leading to the establishment of Proof-of-Concept), the proposals are to be led by faculties/ scientists working in a regular position in recognized Academic Organisation /Public funded R&D Institutions/ Laboratories, Central and State government autonomous organizations State S & T councils.

  • For the technology Development Stream (Leading to Lab Scale Demonstration), the proposals have to be submitted in the Institute – Industry / User partnership mode only. The proposals are to be led by faculties/ scientists working in regular positions in recognized Academic Institutions, Public funded R&D Institutions/ Laboratories, State S&T councils in partnership with other academic/ R&D organisations, state-line departments, S&T-based voluntary organisations, DSIR-recognized SIRO organization, etc. The company/industry should be willing to contribute in the form of industry-attributable technical inputs and resources with at least 10% of the project cost in cash.

  • For the Technology Assessment Stream (Leading to Pilot-Scale demonstration of the technology in the field setting), the proposals are to be led by faculties/ scientists working in a regular position in recognized Academic institutions, Public-funded R&D Institutions/ Laboratories in partnership with other academic, R&D organizations, DSIR-recognized R&D organizations, industries, and Users (Utility, Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, Urban Development Authority, etc).

  • For the Convergent Solution Stream, the proposals have to be submitted in consortium mode only. The consortium is expected to be led by faculties/ scientists working in a regular position in recognized academic institutions, public-funded R&D Institutions/ Laboratories, state S&T councils in partnership with other academic/ R&D organisations, state line departments, S&T-based voluntary organizations, etc. Participation of industries/ start-ups is also welcome, wherever applicable. The consortium should essentially include at least a user having an interest in the intervention, a solution designer, and a solution provider.

  • August 7, 2023, to Saturday, September 30, 2023, subject to extension

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

5.5
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate
Rural usefulness 5.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 3.0/10 Good
Financial impact 5.0/10 Moderate
Literacy barrier 5.0/10 Moderate
Women inclusivity 5.0/10 Moderate
Awareness 7.0/10 Good
Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility5.0
  • Financial impact5.0
  • Rural utility5.0
  • Awareness7.0
  • Simplicity7.0
  • Inclusivity5.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The scheme supports innovative research in water technology, primarily benefiting startups and academic institutions.

Key challenges addressed

  • Water availability
  • Water distribution
  • Water quality management

Most beneficial for

  • Startups in water technology
  • Academic researchers

Likely challenges

  • Complex eligibility criteria
  • Need for industry partnership

Practical insights for citizens

Practical for established startups but challenging for new entrants.

Rural challenges

  • Limited access to technology
  • Lack of awareness among rural startups

Digital challenges

  • High digital dependency for application

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Need for industry collaboration

Awareness challenges

  • Low awareness among potential applicants

Application analysis

Application mode
Online portal
Verification complexity
High
Office dependency
Low
DBT dependency
No
CSC support
Limited
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Moderate
  • Occupation reach Startups, Researchers

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Research Funding
Benefit frequency
One-time
Benefit practicality
High for eligible applicants
Financial meaningfulness
Not applicable
Long-term impact
Potentially significant for water technology advancements

Plain-language guidance

This scheme invites startups to submit research proposals focused on water technology. It aims to support innovative solutions to water-related issues.

Who should apply
Startups and academic institutions working on water technology.
Who may struggle
First-time applicants and those unfamiliar with online applications.
Best application route
Apply via the online portal.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

References

Startup India — Central government schemes for startups
https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/government-schemes.html
Application / official link
https://onlinedst.gov.in/Projectproposalformat.aspx

Apply

Apply now

Opens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 is a government welfare initiative designed to support Startups, Startups through benefits related to Startups & entrepreneurship, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Eligibility for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Benefits under DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 is managed by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt of India and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Applications for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 a central government scheme?
Yes, DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Does DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 provide business loan or startup assistance?
DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 may support entrepreneurs, startups, self-employed individuals, MSMEs, or small businesses through financial assistance, subsidies, credit support, or training initiatives.
Is collateral required under DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Collateral requirements may vary depending on the loan amount, implementing agency, financial institution, and government subsidy structure.
Can CSC centres help users apply for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 in All India?
Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with DST Water Technology Call for Proposals 2023 applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.