The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, announces a call for proposals under the "Support for Upgradation Preventive Repair & Maintenance of Equipment" (SUPREME-2025) program. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance for the repair, upgradation, maintenance, retrofitting, or acquisition of additional attachments to enhance the functional capabilities of existing Analytical Instrumentation Facilities (AIFs) supported by DST in various institutions.

Nature of Support

This program offers financial support to revive major facilities established under DST-completed projects, specifically targeting equipment with an initial purchase cost exceeding ₹25.00 lakhs. Funding is provided at the institutional or organizational level, with a maximum ceiling of ₹4.0 Crores. Individual researchers, departments, or research groups are not eligible to apply.

Each organization is limited to submitting only one application per advertisement, consolidating requirements for up to three facilities/equipment. A detailed feasibility report is required, evaluated by an internal committee including technical experts, the institution’s Head or HOD, senior faculty, and scientists.

The grant can be used for repair, upgradation, maintenance, retrofitting, or acquiring additional attachments under non-recurring capital support, as justified in the feasibility report. An Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) component may also be included under the recurring budget category. Organizations can apply for both non-recurring and recurring (AMC only) components, or either independently, based on facility requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

Funding support under this scheme is exclusively for facilities established under previously completed DST-supported projects, including Analytical Instrumentation Facilities (AIFs). The proposed equipment/facility must be not older than eight years and must be registered on the i-STEM online portal to ensure access for external users.

Eligible institutions include UGC recognized Central Universities, State Funded Universities, Deemed Universities, Private Universities, IITs, AIIMS, NITs, and IISERs/ Colleges. Agency-based Institutes/ Universities and educational organizations under other Ministries/ Departments/ Agencies are excluded. Equipment/infrastructure running under self-sustaining mode of any funding agency such as SAIF, SATHI etc are excluded from the scope of this scheme.

• Facilities must be established under previously completed DST-supported projects.
• Equipment must be registered on the i-STEM online portal.
• Eligible institutions include UGC recognized Central Universities, State Funded Universities, Deemed Universities, Private Universities, IITs, AIIMS, NITs, and IISERs/ Colleges.

Duration and Funding Pattern

The duration of support will not exceed 3 years. The funding pattern is 100% for Central and State government-owned institutions. For private funded institutions, a 75:25 funding ratio will be considered, with the institution contributing 25%.

For Non-Government Grantee Institutes, the 25% institutional share must be sourced from the institute's own income sources. It cannot be derived from funds received under Grant-in-Aid from other Government of India departments or from the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI), GoI.

The release of grants after the first year and each subsequent year will be done after review of performance of each project. For this purpose, the progress of work and achievement of milestones is to be sent to DST in the prescribed format.

Selection Criteria

Selection is based on the academic and research merits of the organizations. Details of how the revival of the research facility will benefit the scientific community, MSMEs, and Start-ups will be considered. A proven record of sample analysis, publications, patents, and other parameters like Scientific Social Responsibility/ industrial R&D components will be evaluated.

The selection process involves a peer review mechanism and potential visits to the organizations. An Expert Committee will evaluate the proposals and assist DST in making the final selection. The impact/outcome of the project such as how the revival of the research facility will benefit the Research community / MSMEs/ Start-ups will be scrutinized during the selection.

DST reserves sole rights on the assets created out of grants. Assets acquired wholly or substantially out of government grants (except those declared as obsolete and unserviceable or condemned in accordance with the procedure laid down in GFR 2017), shall not be disposed of without obtaining the prior approval of DST. All the procurement should be as per procedure laid down in GFR 2017.

Application Process and Mandatory Documents

Online applications must be submitted through the DST e-PMS Portal (www.onlinedst.gov.in). The deadline for submission is [Insert Deadline Here] (up to 17:00 hours). Organizations should carefully review the advertisement and proposal formats before filling out the form.

It is mandatory to submit the proposals only through online mode by the organisation after collecting the signed copies of T&C and other documents, as specified in this call for SUPREME proposal. The organisation / institute / R&D centres are required to see the completeness of the application before it is submitted finally. Since three (3) chances are available for submission of a proposal from the same organisation / institute / R&D centres, the last proposal submitted would be considered for evaluation.

Mandatory documents for online proposal submission include: Endorsement Letter, Signed Copy of Terms and Conditions, Project Implementation Group (PIG) Details, Completed DST-Sanctioned Project Orders, Detailed Internal Committee Report, Institutional/Organizational Support Records, i-STEM System-Generated Supporting Documents, Brief Summary of any previous SUPREME support received, and Department of Science and Technology - Policy on Conflict of Interest.

Suggested Research Topics

Based on the scope of the call, relevant academic research areas could include:

• Material Science
• Chemical Sciences
• Life Science
• Engineering and Technology
• Environmental Science
• Instrumentation and Measurement