SATHI Project
SATHI Project
The Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) program is an initiative by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. It aims to establish shared, professionally managed Science and Technology (S&T) infrastructure facilities to support academia, research institutions, industries, startups, and other organizations across India.
Objectives
- Shared Infrastructure: Provide centralized access to high-end analytical instruments and advanced manufacturing facilities under one roof, ensuring efficiency, accessibility, and transparency.
- Support for R&D: Facilitate research and development activities by offering services to faculty, researchers, scientists, and students from host and user institutions, including national laboratories, startups, SMEs, and R&D labs.
- Capacity Building: Train technicians and operators for efficient operation and maintenance of sophisticated scientific instruments, promoting skill development and capacity building.
- National Network: Establish a national network of laboratories and testing facilities aligned with global standards to boost indigenous research and manufacturing capabilities.
Key Features
- Funding Pattern: DST provides up to 75% of the funding, with the host institution contributing the remaining 25%. The upper limit of funding support is ₹125 crore, covering both recurring and non-recurring expenses.
- Selection Criteria: Institutions are selected based on academic and research profiles, NIRF rankings, Institute of Eminence status, quality of research publications, breadth of STEM disciplines, and readiness to collaborate with at least five partner organizations.
- Facilities Offered: SATHI centers are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for fabrication work, rapid prototyping, material testing, characterization, new device fabrication, and smart manufacturing.
Access and Utilization: Facilities are accessible to both internal and external users, with 80% of the available time allocated to external users and 20% to internal users. Usage is guided by principles of maximum and effective utilization.