The Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology provides opportunities to scientists and technologists from national R&D labs and S&T-driven NGOs to take up action-oriented, location-specific projects aimed at socio-economic development of disadvantaged sections through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) interventions. All programs are implemented PAN India in competitive mode with financial support extended strictly based on merit, encompassing all States and Union Territories including Gadchiroli–Chimur Parliamentary Constituency in Maharashtra.
DST has extended support to two specific projects in the Gadchiroli region. The first project, "Technological Intervention in Promoting Composting and Kitchen Gardening for Safe and Sustainable Food Production in Tribal Villages of Aspiration Gadchiroli District, Maharashtra," received funding of ₹37,56,530 benefiting 280 tribal women farmers belonging to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (Maria Gond).
The second initiative involves strengthening the STI ecosystem through the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC), Maharashtra, which established a Science & Technology Resource Centre (STRC) in partnership with Gondwana University, Gadchiroli at a total cost of ₹15,70,68,000. This centre has implemented 11 structured programs impacting 1,021 tribal households in the Gadchiroli–Chimur Parliamentary Constituency.
The STRC functions through five integrated programmatic verticals: Aquaculture & Fisheries, Bamboo-Based Livelihoods, Forest-Based Livelihoods & Medicinal Plants, Applicable R&D & Rural Technology Development, and Communication for Development (ICT & Education). These verticals collectively advance sustainable livelihoods, promote innovation, enable value addition, and build community capacity for inclusive socio-economic development in tribal regions.
DST supports competitive, merit-based research and innovation projects through various schemes across the country. Calls for proposals are published on the DST website and EPMS portal, and eligible institutions and researchers from Gadchiroli–Chimur may seek support subject to scheme provisions and selection through prescribed merit-based evaluation processes.