GSRF TOS-DRILL Scheme
The Goa State Research Foundation (GSRF) is pleased to invite applications under the GSRF “Traditional Occupations and Skills: Documentation and Research for Improving Local Livelihoods” (TOS-DRILL) to provide financial assistance to regular teacher/ faculty members, institutions and experts who would wish to undertake projects to preserve and improve traditional skills and occupations.
GSRF insists on high ethical standards. Kindly ensure that you adhere to plagiarism norms (not more than 3% similarity) and copyright norms; failing which your application may be liable for rejection.
Please read carefully the scheme details given below as well as in the Notification published in Official Gazette - GSRF/Schemes/TOS-DRILL/127/2025.
A concept note (in prescribed format) should be submitted containing one page write-up with a brief introduction to the problem, objectives (clearly defined), methods, expected outcome and how it helps in solving the problem.
Important Note: It is mandatory to submit a hard copy of the application to the GSRF Office within 7 days of the submission of the online application. Therefore, after submission of the online application, kindly download the application, replace the documents with original documents, sign the application and submit it to the GSRF Office.
"If you have gone through the details, you can download the Application Format available below and UPLOAD NOW"
SUBMIT APPLICATIONThe last date for submission of online application is 15thDecember 2025
(Applications will be reviewed periodically)
For assistance, please email to: office.gsrf@gmail.com or call 9767181839 (during office hours)
Thank you for applying.
You can download your application here.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHEME
Traditional skills and occupations play a significant role in local cultures and economies. Recognizing the same, the “Traditional Occupations and Skills: Documentation and Research for Improving Local Livelihoods” (TOS-DRILL) scheme aims to document these practices thereby helping not just preserve, but to revitalise the same. This aligns with the local and national level efforts to support sustainable livelihoods, by combining research, documentation, and practical interventions. Through focused study and collaboration with local communities, the scheme will facilitate enhancement of income opportunities, improvement of skills and promotion of sustainable use of local resources.
The TOS-DRILL scheme offers financial support to regular teachers/faculty members, institutions, and experts who will collaboratively find ways to preserve and improve traditional skills, while addressing economic challenges of present times. The scheme emphasizes practical research and documentation that will assist in framing policy recommendations, and help ensure that the rich traditional occupations/skills continue to contribute to the resilience of local livelihoods.
OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE
The TOS-DRILL scheme aims to support interdisciplinary teams of teachers, researchers, and experts, including those with practical experience from the informal or traditional sectors, to explore and document (creation of database/compendium) traditional occupations/skills. Besides documentation, the scheme, through sustainable actions, will help generate actionable ways and innovative strategies to revive local economies and enhance livelihoods based on the rich heritage of local knowledge and practices. In addition to occupations and skills, the scheme may also be extended to document (and revive) traditional cultural aspects, including dance/performing arts, language, food/cuisine etc. whose usage and prevalence are gradually seen to be decreasing. Revival of activities (traditional economies/occupations/skills), thereby preventing their extinction, sustainability, replication of traditional best practices etc. would be the outcome of the scheme.
Collaborative efforts that engage with local communities, artisans, industry partners, and relevant government departments will be prioritized. The scheme focusing on opportunities within traditional occupations/skills will cover three broad types of studies/proposals: (i) invitation based thematic studies/projects involving specific institutions having necessary expertise and/or geographical advantage; (ii) thematic based open call for proposals announced on the GSRF website; and (iii) open invitation via the GSRF website on any apt proposal (non-thematic). Researchers under TOS-DRILL will thus have the flexibility to address thematic and open-ended issues, which will help directly/indirectly bridge tradition with modern livelihood enhancement strategies.
The Goa State Research Foundation (GSRF) will be responsible for implementing and operating the TOS-DRILL scheme.
PATTERN OF ASSISTANCE
- In a financial year, the total quantum of assistance available under this scheme will not exceed Rs.100.00 Lakhs.
- The upper limit for individual proposals will be Rs. 5 lakhs; however, if necessary, and depending on technological interventions/requirements, an increased amount could be considered by the Experts Committee, on case-to-case basis, and then referred to the GC.
- The Principal Investigator (PI) must specify heads under which funding is required, with each purpose clearly explained, and amounts justified. Funds to approved beneficiary will be released at the beginning of the project.
- There is no provision for financing of furniture, cupboards, laptop, desktop, printer, etc.
- Amount per assigned/recommended project: Depends upon the project (number of people involved, approximate time required, complexities, geographical area covered, difficulty level, etc.); Committee of Experts would finalize/recommend the upper figure.
Grants will be released to the Head of Institution for necessary disbursement and utilization.
TENURE AND IMPLEMENTATION
The tenure for projects under TOS-DRILL scheme will be 10 months from the date of issue of the Sanction Order/Letter.
In exceptional cases, where additional time is required, based on specific and justified request by the PI the tenure may be extended by a maximum of 02 months.
ELIGIBILITY
The PI, considered the primary applicant, must be a regular faculty member/teacher of a recognized educational institution or academic body in Goa, including colleges, university departments/schools, higher secondary schools and schools.
The research team (if any) should comprise experts from various fields to fulfil the objectives of the project. Co-investigators (CI)/other members,
if any, can thus be from the same or different institutions within Goa, and can include experts retired from formal service, members of NGOs, students with innovative ideas, and practitioners from the informal sector (examples being artisans, mechanics and farmers with practical experience in traditional occupations) who can contribute valuable insights and skills.
PROCEDURES
PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR THE SCHEME
Once the TOS-DRILL scheme is notified and opened for proposal submissions, it will remain open up to 15th December every year, unless a closure is announced earlier on the GSRF website. Applicants must submit a concept note, along with a proposed budget, online, in response to the Notification from GSRF. Preregistration of the PI is mandatory before applying online. Following the online submission, a hard copy along with the original documents must be sent to the GSRF Office within a week.
PROCEDURE FOR APPROVAL
Applicants will be screened and required to present their concept to a committee constituted for evaluating submissions. Successful applicants will be asked to submit a detailed proposal (with recommended modifications). Based on the Committee's recommendations, the Governing Council of GSRF will take the final decision, contingent on the availability of funds under the TOS-DRILL scheme.
Since the scheme will remain open throughout the year (unless closure is announced), periodic reviews of submitted proposals will be conducted.
COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT
The following documents must be submitted within three months of project completion:
- A hard and soft copy of the final report/publication/compilation, detailing findings, solutions, pictures, policy recommendations etc.
- A consolidated, itemized statement of the total expenditure incurred during the project, along with a consolidated Utilisation Certificate, in the prescribed formats, duly signed with seal of the Head of Institution and Chartered Accountant.
- Unutilized funds must be refunded immediately via DD or NEFT in favour of GSRF.
A Committee will review the final completion report, and if required, the PI/team may be invited to present their findings and engage in further discussions.
CONDITIONS
GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS
- The PI and Head of Institution will be informed of the selection decision. Upon notification, the PI must promptly send an acceptance certificate, duly forwarded by the Head of Institution, to the GSRF.
- The project is non-transferable. However, if the PI is transferred to another institution within Goa, a no-objection certificate must be furnished by the host institution for the transfer of the project. The new host institution must also provide a certificate stating that they will provide the necessary facilities for the smooth execution of the project. Any assets acquired during the project may also be transferred to the new institution for ongoing projects.
- GSRF encourages PIs to publish the results of their project; publications must acknowledge the support received from GSRF.
- The Final Report/Compilation/Publication must be a comprehensive document with findings, pictures, suggestions, plan for revival etc.
- If the PI and CI’s are unable to complete the project for any reason, the entire amount received from GSRF must be returned immediately via Demand Draft or NEFT. This also applies if the PI relocates outside Goa and can no longer be associated with the institution through which the project was originally sanctioned.
RELAXATION OF CONDITIONS
GSRF reserves the right to relax any or all clauses or conditions of the scheme in genuine cases.
INTERPRETATION
Any questions regarding the interpretation of any clause, word, or expression of the scheme will be resolved by GSRF, whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties concerned.
REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES AND DISPUTES
Grievances, if any, arising out of the implementation of this scheme will be heard and decided by the Chairperson (GSRF), and the decision in this regard shall be final and binding on all concerned.
Documents required
- Declaration by the PI
- Endorsement from the Head of the Institution of PI
Document formats
| 1 | Application format for GSRF TOS-DRILL scheme | Download PDF | Download Doc |
| 2 | Declaration by the PI | Download PDF | Download Doc |
| 3 | Endorsement from the Head of Institution of PI | Download PDF | Download Doc |
If you have gone through the details given above,
you can click here to Submit Application Form
Thank you for applying.
You can download your application here.
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