—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program Document
Integrated Technologies for Next-generation Sanitation Systems (I-NEXSS)
I. About the Program
The I-NEXSS is a collaborative innovation program jointly led by the IIT Palakkad Technology
IHub Foundation (IPTIF) and the Global Sanitation Centre of Excellence (GSCOE) at IIT Palakkad,
with support from the Gates Foundation. The program aims to accelerate the development and
deployment of next-generation solutions for non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS), focusing on
advanced membranes, digital technologies, and affordable sensing. By bringing together startups,
researchers, and industry stakeholders, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory
innovation and field-scale implementation. It emphasizes scalable, cost-effective, and robust
technologies that can meet stringent regulatory standards while improving operational efficiency,
public health outcomes, and environmental sustainability.
II. Scope of the Program
The I-NEXSS covers the development, validation, and deployment of advanced technologies for
NSSS, with a focus on low-fouling, high-flux membrane systems, digital integration (including
smart sensors, IoT, SCADA-PLC automation, AI/ML analytics, and digital twins), and
cost-effective sensors for water quality, pathogen detection, and air emissions. The program
1
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
supports technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) ≥ 4, progressing from prototyping and
laboratory validation to pilot-scale demonstration and real-world deployment. Solutions are
expected to deliver robust performance in decentralized and resource-constrained environments,
enable seamless integration of hardware and digital systems, and meet regulatory standards set by
the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Central Public Health and Environmental
Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO), while aligning with frameworks such as ISO 30500. The
scope further emphasizes scalability, affordability, lifecycle cost reduction, and data-driven
operation to support sustainable, resilient sanitation infrastructure across diverse deployment
contexts.
III. Detailed Problem Statements
We invite technology developers, innovators, research organizations, startups, MSMEs to advance
next-generation solutions for NSSS, focusing on the integration of membrane technologies, digital
technologies, and cost-effective sensor technologies.
The I-NEXSS Program encourages the adoption of re-purposed or re-engineered technologies,
where existing solutions are developed and adapted and integrated to address the specific challenges
of NSSS, complying to the applicable standards.
Applicants must have demonstrated technologies at TRL ≥ 4, with clear pathways toward
pilot-scale validation, scale-up, and real-world deployment.
Problem Statement - 1: Development of Low-Fouling/High-Flux Membrane Systems
a. To resist organic, colloidal, and biological fouling (Membrane solutions should incorporate
advanced materials and surface engineering strategies to mitigate multi-fouling, including organic
adsorption, particulate deposition, and microbial growth.)
b. To have longer filtration cycles (Designs should sustain high flux over extended operational
periods, minimizing performance decline and delaying fouling onset.)
c. To have fewer CIP cycles and reduced backwash frequency (Solutions should demonstrate
improved cleanability and operational stability, reducing reliance on chemical cleaning (CIP) and
hydraulic backwashing.)
2
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
d. Surface-modified membranes to reduce biofouling (Membranes should integrate surface
modifications (e.g., coatings, functionalization) to inhibit microbial adhesion and biofilm
formation.)
e. To improve solids retention in biological wastewater treatment system having membrane
bioreactor (MBR) technology for final effluent treatment or polishing
f. To enhance the gas transfer applications (e.g., air, oxygen, or other gases) in biological
wastewater treatment system such as membrane biofilm reactors (MBfR) or membrane aerated
biofilm reactors (MABR)
Expected Innovations:
● Novel membrane materials and fabrication techniques
● Optimized pore structures and surface properties
● Operational strategies to manage complex fouling scenarios
● Membrane bioreactors for enhanced solids retention and gas transfer
Problem Statement - 2: Integration of Digital Technologies
a. Smart Sensors – Real-time monitoring and early fouling detection (Deploy sensors capable of
continuous, in situ monitoring to detect fouling, scaling, and system deviations at early stages.)
b. IoT Networks – Centralized monitoring and remote diagnostics (Enable real-time data
transmission, system-level visibility, and early identification of underperforming units through
connected platforms.)
c. SCADA and PLC Systems – Automated process control (Implement automation frameworks
for intelligent control of dosing, pumping, backwashing, and CIP operations, ensuring consistent
and reliable performance.)
d. AI and ML Analytics – Predictive monitoring and optimization (Leverage data-driven
models to forecast membrane fouling, predict equipment degradation, and optimize maintenance
scheduling.)
3
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
e. Digital Twins – Simulation and system optimization (Develop virtual replicas of treatment
systems to simulate dynamic conditions, optimize operations, and support decision-making.)
Expected Outcomes:
● Reduced downtime and improved system reliability in small-scale sanitation systems
● Proactive and data-driven system management
● Scalable, cost-effective digital infrastructure small-scale sanitation systems
Problem Statement - 3 : Development of Low-Cost, Affordable Sensors
a. Water Quality Sensors (Influent/Effluent Monitoring) Develop rapid, cost-effective sensors
for parameters including BOD, COD, nutrients (nitrate, ammonia, phosphate), TSS, pH, and
conductivity, ensuring reliable real-time monitoring of toilet wastewater matrices which include
raw influent, partially treated wastewater, final effluent, or the sludge/septage.
b. Biosensors for Public Health (Pathogen Detection) Design field-deployable biosensors for
real-time pathogen detection to support public health monitoring and safe reuse of treated
wastewater from non-sewered sanitation systems.
c. Air Quality Sensors (Gaseous Emissions Monitoring) Develop and deploy affordable, reliable,
and integrable air quality for indoor and outdoor monitoring of CO, CO₂, H₂S, SO2, CH₄, N2O, NH3,
VOCs, PAH, PM2.5 and NOx emissions in sanitation systems, ensuring user safety and
environmental compliance especially ISO 30500.
Solutions should support compliance with standards such as ISO 30500 and demonstrate:
● Cost-effective, scalable designs suitable for widespread deployment
● Reliable operation in harsh and variable field conditions
● Integration with digital monitoring and control systems
IV. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
● Technical innovation and feasibility
● Performance under real-world sanitation conditions
4
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
● Scalability, affordability, and ease of deployment
● Integration capability across membrane, digital, and sensing systems
● Readiness for pilot-scale validation and field implementation
V. Outcome Vision
This challenge aims to catalyze the development of smart, resilient, and affordable NSSS solutions
that:
● Achieve high treatment efficiency and regulatory compliance
● Enable low-maintenance and long-term operation
● Support data-driven, autonomous sanitation systems
● Improve public health and environmental outcomes at scale
VI. Duration of Support
The duration of support will typically range between 6 to 8 months, depending on the stage of
technology development, including design, prototyping, testing, and field validation.
VII. Eligibility
The program is open to:
● Startups and MSMEs
● Academic and research institutions
● Consortia (Academia/Startup/MSME/Industry)
Applicants should demonstrate technical capability and a clear implementation plan aligned with
program objectives.
5
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIII. Funding Guidelines
● Funding will be provided based on project scope, stage, and requirements.
● Support may cover:
○ Prototype development
○ Testing and validation
○ Field deployment
● Preference will be given to cost-effective, scalable, and innovative solutions.
● Milestone-based fund disbursement may be followed.
IX. Proposal Submission Guidelines
Applicants must submit:
● Detailed project proposal including objectives and methodology
● Technical design and innovation details
● Implementation plan with timelines
● Budget breakdown
● Expected outcomes and impact
Proposals should clearly align with the program’s focus on air quality monitoring in sanitation
systems.
Application Format - Application Form
Proposal Format - Proposal Format
(Download and fill in the proposal format and save as .pdf [Link] file (Max 10 MB) for
uploading in the application form. Please name the file Applicant Name_Proposal)
X. Please prepare the below documents in .pdf format to be uploaded along with
application:
1. KYC of Individual Applicant (Copy of Aadhar/Passport/DL) .pdf file Max 10MB
2. Company Documents (Merged .pdf file (Max 10 MB) of Certificate of
Incorporation.
3. CV of the Individual Project Investigator - Max 3 pages- .pdf file Max 10 MB
6
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Project Proposal PPT (in the Prescribed Format, .pdf file, Max 10 MB)
5. Additional Background Information about the Company, Product/Technology or
Data in support of TRLs claimed by the Applicant (.pdf file, Max 10 MB)
6. Video of the product or Presentation Video, if any ( Max 10 MB)
XI. Tentative Schedule for Proposal Evaluation
Call opens on: 30-April-2026
Proposal Submission Deadline: 20-May-2026
Screening and Shortlisting of Proposals: 30-May-2026
Final Selection & Approval: 1–2 weeks June 2026
(Timeline may vary based on the number of applications, All decisions taken under this program
shall be subject to the sole discretion of IPTIF and GSCOE)
XII. Contact Details
Please write to coo@[Link] for any queries related to the application process