Call for Proposals under Water Technology Initiative (WTI-2015) 1. Preamble: Water Technology Initiative is a demand oriented user centric initiative which includes development research in laboratories as well as application research in field. The scope of initiative covers the entire value chain of R&D right from water oriented basic and applied research, pre competitive technology development, technology based classification & assessment of technology options, pilotdemonstration of technology leads from laboratories and academic institutions to evolve a basket of technology options and mounting of technically, socially, environmentally and eventually affordable convergent solutions suited to socio-economic context. 2. Objective of Call: The objective of the call is to mobilise development and applications research proposals having strong solution science orientation. The need of scientific work, gap in existing knowledge and demand for deliverables emanating from the project should be firmly established in the proposal. The present call would support thematic R & D on following topics: Mitigation of Arsenic including collaboration with global R&D institutions for in-situ remediation of Arsenic from aquifer system, reliable detection at field level, handling & safe disposal of sludge. Treatment of water contamination due to pesticide, other use-derived residues and emerging contaminants such as personal pharmaceutical care products (PPCP). Up-scaling of water augmentation and treatment solutions successfully demonstrated under the WAR for Water Programme. Mitigation of chromium contamination in drinking water and development of field test kits. Fluoride mitigation options from drinking water. Novel rapid contaminant detection sensors field kits for testing potability of water for conformity to specifications analysis of water contaminants. Broad spectrum treatment technologies such as membranes, capacitative deionisation etc. for efficient and effective removal of biological, chemical and physical impurities in drinking water. Decentralized Waste Water Treatment technologies for domestic/ community application Technologies for asset monitoring for drinking water Research on novel concepts such as pulling water from air, extracting moisture from plants. Research & Technology issues related to water energy nexus. 3. Scope of call: The call would include following three components: 3.1 Components-WR: (Research stream) Water Oriented Fundamental & Applied Research to promote high quality, cutting edge breakthrough research innovation and preliminary scientific investigation to establish ‘Proof of concept’. Participants: Faculties/ Scientists working in regular position in recognised Academic Organisation/ Public funded R&D Institution/ Laboratories. Project Size: Not exceeding Rs. 40 lakh Project Duration: 3 years maximum 3.2. Component-WT: (Technology stream) Assessment of existing technology option and evolving promising alternatives. Pre- competitive technology development. Participants: Faculties/ scientists working in regular position in recognised Academic Organisation/ Public funded R&D Institution/ Laboratories , Participation of industry can also be explored where applicable . Project Size: Not exceeding Rs. 150 lakh Project Duration: 3 years maximum 3.3 Components-WS: (Solution stream) Referencing of technologies to socio-economic context. Pilot demonstration of technology leads emanating from R&D. Customised convergent technological solutions to address prevalent and merging water challenges. Techno-economic analysis of technology options. Participants: Faculties/ Scientists working in regular position in recognised Academic Organisation/ Public funded R&D Institution/ Laboratories, S&T State Councils, NGOs either individually or in consortium. Participation of industry can also be explored where applicable . Project Size: Not exceeding Rs. 400 lakh Project Duration: 3 years maximum 4. Call Dates Call Opening Date: 01.05.2015 (1st May, 2015) Call Closing Date: 30.06.2015 (30th June 2015) 5. Proposal Evaluation: The proposal received will be screened by an Initial Screening Committee comprising of experts, in the area based on criteria evolved for the purpose, meeting the objectives of call, in general and thrust of individual components viz WR, WT and WS in particular. The PIs of shortlisted proposals will be invited for presenting the proposal, to Programme Advisory Committee (PAC)/ Task Force (TF) for making appropriate recommendation on suitability of the proposal for support. DST would process the recommendations of PAC for suitable administrative approval and financial concurrence, wherever required. The decision on proposals submitted under the call would be hosted on DST website latest by 30 th September, 2015 6. Proposal Submission: Proposals submitted by the same individuals or groups under the different streams/ components of the call are discouraged. Executive Summary of the project proposal clearly indicating the stream applied for Water Research (Component WR) / Water Technology (Component WT ) / Water Solution (Component WS) in .doc file and complete project proposal with all enclosures (1 marked original + 2 hard copies + 1 soft copy as .doc or .pdf file) and filled up Executive Summary in prescribed format should reach Dr. Neelima Alam, Scientist ‘D’, Technology Mission Cell, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi- 110016 by the closing date of the call. Soft copy is also to be emailed to [email protected]