Call for research proposals on rural drinking water and sanitation by DDWS Government of India

Rajiv  Gandhi  National Drinking Water Mission, Department  of  Drinking  Water  Supply,  Ministry  of  Rural  Development, Government   of   India,  funds  research  and  development  project proposals  from established  institutions  and universities. The project must be related to rural drinking water and sanitation. Please see below the priority areas identified by the Department in respect to research and development in sanitation.

The proforma for sending proposals is available at here.

This e-mail is to encourage members to submit research proposals to the Joint Secretary (sanitation) or Director (Sanitation) for research and development projects related to sanitation.  Please check here for further guidance and the email addresses of the JS (Sanitation) and Director (Sanitation).

UNICEF will provide to members, if requested, quality control in developing R&D proposals on sanitation.  Any request for technical support may be e-mailed to Nitya Jacob or Manish Kumar.
 
The priority areas identified by DDWS in respect to sanitation are:

1. Water-health interaction in the socio economic cultural set up

• Interface problems between engineers/ geologists/ medical scientists on water and sanitation issues;
• Correlation  between  water  constraints  and quality of life,  especially  for  communication  and  social mobilization strategies;
• Nutritional   intervention  in  Fluoride  and  Arsenic affected villages;
• Methods  of  bringing  about  behavioural changes with respect to sanitation, safe water use, etc.;
• Improving water and sanitation governance;
• R&D projects based on multi-centric studies;
• Governance   and  conflict  resolutions  in  water  and sanitation sector;
• Change management of rural water supply sector Engineers/Scientists.

     2.  Development of appropriate rural sanitation technology

• Design of improved leach pit;
• Hygienic rural toilets;
• Utilization of kitchen waste;
• Protection  of open wells/ ponds and improved methods of sanitary survey;
• Ecological   sanitation   and   methods  for  enhancing fertilizer value of digested material;
• Improved methods of solid and liquid waste management;
• Solid waste management especially with regard to re-use/recycle/ reduce use of plastics;
• Women menstrual hygiene, baby friendly toilets, special toilets for disabled, infant sanitation, etc.