To support S & T based NGOs/S & T institutions/Colleges/Universities throughout the country to take up innovative grant in aid projects at the grassroots level with various schemes targeted for different section of the society to address location and occupation specific problems.

Catalyze and support research, development and adaptation of relevant and appropriate technologies for empowering and improving quality of life of Artisans, Landless labour, Women, SC/ST and other disadvantaged sections, particularly in rural areas.

Preserve and upgrade skills of traditional artisans as “natural carriers” of S&T knowledge/ capabilities and enable their transition to S&T – based production organizations.

Need-based, location specific and appropriate S&T intervention for economically viable, ecologically sustainable and socially acceptable development

“Bottom-up” rather than top-down programme planning with full community involvement.

Evolve and demonstrate replicable models of S&T – based development for benefit of disadvantaged sections; and

Catalyze linkages with Developmental Agencies/ Departments and Financial Institutions so as to promote integration of these models with wider developmental processes.