Mining ministry invites projects in critical metals, rare earths from universities, HEIs

NEW DELHI: The ministry of mining has invited projects having direct bearing on mineral and mining sector from students, scientists and researchers at academic institutions, universities, and Research and development institutions.

The projects will be accepted for three years by the ministry. The institutes should be recognised by the department of scientific and industrial research. Project proposals are to be submitted online on the Satyabhama portal, research.mines.gov.in, by December 4.

The applicants will also have to send a soft copy of the project proposal generated from the Portal in PDF format needs to be sent to the e-mail: met4- mines@gov.in.

The ministry has invited science projects in the field of critical metals such as gallium, niobium, nickel, lithium, tungsten, germanium, selenium and indium; rare earth; recycling and circular economy; energy efficiency; and new material and processes.

Guidelines for submitting proposals

The ministry of mining said the project proposal should have participation of micro, small and medium enterprise or an industry in the form of at least 20% financial contribution (between cash and kind contribution, at least 15% cash contribution). If a candidates is submitting the proposal in research and development category, then it should be in the technology readiness level (TRL) of 3 to 7 in the identified thrust areas, the ministry added.

Also Read | Research in Indian academic institutions and India's top 1,000 researchers: A white paper

The proposal should have also completed the sample collection and its first level characterisation. The institute should have analysis capability or prior tie-up with other institute in this regard for the intended purpose, the ministry said. In case of a proposal submit by CSIR labs, co-funding from CSIR of at least 25% of the total project cost or total cost of capital equipment, which ever is higher is mandatory.