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GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF PROJECT PROPOSALS UNDER ALL PROJECT CATEGORIES-I/II/III

Academia/R&D Organizations/Startups/MSMEs while submitting proposals for funding under Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme need to fulfill the following requirements:

1. Project Proposal should be submitted by Academia/R&D Organization/Startup/MSME in the prescribed proforma of MeitY available at C2S website.
2. The proposal should be submitted by all participating institutions in line with the project category defined [Click Here ] and as per definition of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) [Click Here ].
3. Remote access of EDA tool and fabrication support (in MPW mode) would be provided to all participating institutions. However, for Cat-I Projects (i.e. Industry-Academia collaborative Projects), the fabrication cost will be part of the budget outlay proposed by them under their project proposal and for Category II & III projects, fabrication cost will be provided separately (i.e. not budgeted under their project proposal)
4. Project proposals should clearly indicate the specification, novelty/USP of technology, Deliverables/ Outcomes, Datasheet template for Soft/Hard IP Cores, targeted TRL, technology node planned for fabrication, testing and prototyping plans, scope and roadmap for commercialization and Transfer of Technology etc. viz. field trialled deployable reusable IPs / ASICs / SoCs / Systems or Working Prototypes or Proof of Concept etc. with quarterly timelines.
5. Proposals should clearly indicate the Resource requirements in terms of EDA tools, manpower requirement etc. For Category II & III Proposal, manpower salaries should be as per extant DST norms.
6. For Industry-Academia Collaborative Projects under Category I, manpower salaries should be as per Institute norms with which the collaboration is proposed or as per DST norms.
7. Industry-Academia Collaborative project proposal having part funding from End User Organization (preferably 10% (or more) of overall budget) would be preferred by MeitY for support under Category I.
8. The proposal submitted in consortium mode under Category II, should have the letter of interest from end user organization.
9. R&D project proposals having letter of interest from end user organization would be preferred for support under Category III.
10. An Institute can submit project proposals in any category depending on the eligibility. In case of submission of multiple proposals from institution, proposal would be selected for financial support based on their merit in single category only. The other proposals may be considered for providing remote access of EDA tool and Fabrication support in MPW mode (Preferably at SCL).
11. The Collaborative projects should clearly indicate Roles and Responsibilities of nodal institute and each collaborating institution (Startup/MSMEs/Academia/R&D Organization/End user), their financial requirements/contribution along with quarterly timelines for the project outcome.
12. Nodal institute would be responsible for the Project implementation, deliverable and fund disbursement to consortium partners as per proposed Project milestones and timelines.
13. The Participating Institutions/Startup/MSME should clearly indicate name of Chief Investigator (CI) and Co-Investigator (Co-CI) along with two faculty members. The project CI/Co-CI would be responsible for coordination with PCI, MeitY, India Chip Centre and Design Centre for timely completion of project activities.
14. Institutions who are submitting the proposal in Category I & II may also submit Research Project Proposal in Emerging areas. The Proposals should be submitted in the same proposal format of that Category (Only relevant fields to be filled), in which Institution is applying. Such research proposals may be provided with infrastructure support like access of EDA tools and fabrication support in MPW mode (Preferably at SCL).
15. It is mandatory for all academic Institutions participating under the programme to provide commitment and plan for 20-25 short term VLSI design projects for B. Tech/M.Tech/PhD students as part of project proposal and to present the progress report to PRSG.
16. It is also mandatory for all academic Institutions to make available basic infrastructure such as VLSI Lab, Work Stations/Servers (in working condition), lab staff etc. during the entire project duration. No separate hardware platforms like workstations, servers, laptops, etc. would be provided under the project.
17. Category I institutions will also participate in developing Model Syllabus on VLSI and related areas under the programme. It is mandatory for all the participating academic institutions to adopt the model syllabus in their course curriculum within two years of initiation of the programme.
18. All the academic institutions should initiate M.Tech in VLSI/embedded system, if not already done within 2-3 years of the initiation of the programme.
19. An MoU signed among all the collaborators including Academia/R&D Organization/Startup/MSME/Industry/End users with defined responsibilities needs to be submitted to PCI.
20. The sharing of IP rights among collaborating agencies would be as per the mutually agreed terms and conditions among the collaborators and to be made and enclosed as part of the proposal.
21. Milestone linked fund releases would be made to all participating institutions by PCI.
22. No separate funds would be provided for creation of new facilities under the programme. However, the Institutions may outsource the project activities like - PCB design/packaging etc. within the approved outlay of the project, which cannot be undertaken at the Institution. However, no R&D activity under the project can be outsources by the institutions
23. To the extent possible, efforts should be made to fabricate the ASICs at SCL, Mohali.
24. Patent should be filed for the "Research Component" developed under the project before publishing it.
25. It is mandatory for all participating Institutions to implement the PFMS EAT 2 module at their institution within 60 days of project approval by MeitY. The GIA would not be released to any institutions through PCI without PFMS implementation at the institutions.After every release, each institute is mandated to update the expenditure details at the PFMS EAT 2 portal on monthly basis for the entire duration of project.
26. It is mandatory for all academic Institutions to regularly update the details of trained Manpower (Type-I, II, III, IV) /Patent/Publication/ASIC/IP Core/System/SoC etc at the C2S website as well as Institution website on monthly basis. Startup/MSMEs/R&D organization to upload the details of manpower associated with the project/Patent/Publication/ASIC/IP Core/System/SoC etc. at C2S website.
27. The CI and Co-CI should have adequate experience of working in VLSI design and related areas.
28. Participating Institutions to restrict the proposal within the budget outlay of that category in which proposal is being submitted.
29. All positions of project staff will be co-terminus with the project duration. MeitY would have no liability whatsoever for sustaining such temporary staff after completion/termination of the project.
30. The CI/Co-CI and the project staff will not be transferred to any other project for the entire duration of the programme.
31. The participating Institutions would maintain financial and other records as per norms and procedures laid down by MeitY for the project and provide the details to PCI/MeitY whenever required.
32. It is mandatory for all participating institutions to submit Utilization Certificate as per GFR norms to PCI in the financial year end and before request for next release.
33. No commercial use will be made of the infrastructure created, equipment/training material etc. procured/supplied/developed under the project without the prior approval of MeitY. Any liability for violation would have to be borne by the participating institutions and may also result in termination of the project.
34. All the assets created/procured as part of the project funds would be property of MeitY. At the end/termination of the project, the MeitY would decide on the future use of such assets.
35. All the items received under the project will be entered in the appropriate Stock Registers. "Special Manpower Development Programme for Chips to Startup, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (Govt. of India)" would be suitably displayed on the items. Loss and theft of any equipment/items supplied under this project would be reported to appropriate authority. Proper investigation by concerned authority would be carried out and appropriate action would be taken. The same will be reported to MeitY/PCI.
36. The participating institutions would sign any agreements(s) as may be required with the fabrication unit, supplier(s) of hardware and software and Institution would be solely responsible for any liability(ies) arising due to breach of such agreement(s).
37. The participating institutions should make efforts to utilize the facilities set up under this project for carrying out any other sponsored R&D projects sponsored by MeitY.
38. The Head of the institution of the participating institutions will make all efforts to ensure that the procedures of the institution facilitate the smooth implementation of the project and, if necessary, provide special dispensation for this purpose.
39. In case faculty/students/researchers use the VLSI Lab setup under this project for carrying out technical activities, including publishing papers, which are not supported by MeitY, they will acknowledge MeitY'€™s name and will inform the Department accordingly.
40. The Project Proposal envisaging the use of Indigenous Processor like VEGA Processor developed by CDAC [Details Here], SHAKTI Processor developed by IIT Madras [Details Here] would be preferred for support. The related design Infrastructure including the software tool chain would be made available by Chip Centre, CDAC Bangalore to the Institutions.
41. Kindly check the following before proposal submission:
    • All Supporting Documents (like AICTE Recognition Certificate, NBA (National Board of Accreditation), NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council of UGC), Startup Certificate, MSME Certificate etc.) based on the category of proposal submission as applicable."
    • Integrate all the supporting documents along with the proposal as single PDF.
    • All the documents and details are enclosed as per the checklist in the project Proposal.