The Basis Fellowship
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Quick Answer
US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh) with no equity, no reporting and no rules on spending, for exceptional operators, engineers and scientists. About ten minutes to apply; always open.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Provider
- Orbit Technologies
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- International
About this grant
The Basis Fellowship gives selected people US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh) with no strings attached, plus a place in a network of fellows. It is run by Mark Khrapko, Spencer Green and Steven Pang, who are funding it personally and through their company Orbit. Applications are always open and never expire, so there is no deadline.
The fellowship is for individuals. The source says that anyone can apply, including operators, engineers, scientists and people in other fields, and it does not ask for a company. It sets no country limit in the text we could read, so an Indian applicant can apply. Equally, it is not a grant for an organisation or a registered startup; the money goes to the person.
What the program offers
Each fellow receives US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh). The source states plainly that there is no equity, no reporting and no rule on how the money is spent. In plain terms, that means it is non-dilutive: you keep full ownership of anything you build, and you do not need to send updates on how the money was used.
Besides the money, fellows join a network of fellows. The first cohort is the 2026 Founding Cohort, and each cohort joins the same community. Fellows are named on a rolling basis, and being announced or listed publicly is optional, so some fellows may never appear on the website.
Two extra rewards exist. If you nominate someone and that person is chosen, you receive US$1,000. And for a strong application that does not make the cohort, the team may, at its own discretion, give US$3,000. The page lists these amounts without further conditions, so treat them as discretionary.
Who can apply
Anyone can apply. The fellowship looks for people doing remarkable work, whatever their job title. The source does not set an age range, a degree requirement or a country rule in the text we could read. There is also no requirement for a startup, a registered business or a particular industry.
It suits builders, researchers and operators who can point to real work: something built, discovered or pulled off. It does not suit someone who wants to fund an organisation, and it does not suit someone who cannot show any work.
How to apply
Apply on the fellowship website. The application takes about ten minutes, and the organisers ask applicants not to spend much longer on it. You provide basic details about yourself, share a portfolio, GitHub, website or other files that show your work, and answer a few questions. These cover the best thing you have built, discovered or pulled off, something you believe that few others do, what you are obsessed with right now, and what you plan to do next.
The portfolio and the answers about your work are the part that matters most. A practical tip: lead with your strongest, most specific evidence, such as something shipped, published or measured, instead of general ambitions.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The team reads every application and names fellows on a rolling basis. The source does not publish fixed selection criteria or a timeline for replies. Applications never expire; if something new happens in your work, you can write again and the team will read the new application alongside your earlier one.
About the organisers
The fellowship is run by the three people behind Orbit, a neurotech company, and is funded by them personally and through Orbit. The source lists a group of advisors, with more marked as coming. The same team has previously run other prizes for builders, according to the listing.
Things to check before you apply
- The source does not state whether the payment is in US dollars, how it is paid, or how long it takes. Ask before relying on the timeline.
- Indian recipients of foreign money should check tax treatment and any reporting rules with a qualified adviser before accepting.
- The source does not explain how many fellows will be chosen or how often; the page shows a numbered list of slots, with most open.
- Do not share secrets in your portfolio that you cannot afford to be read by others.
- Being listed publicly is your choice, so say what you prefer.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Fellowship
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Each fellow receives US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh). The organisers take nothing and expect nothing: there is no equity, no reporting, and the money can be spent on anything. Fellows also join a lifelong community of fellows and advisors. Separately, a nominator gets US$1,000 (about ₹95,000) if their nominee is chosen, and a strong application that is not chosen may receive US$3,000 (about ₹2.85 lakh) at the organisers' discretion.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
The organisers read every application and name fellows on a rolling basis. They have not published fixed selection criteria or a reply timeline; the work you show in your portfolio and answers matters most.
Application Process
- 1
Ten-minute application
Share your work and answer a few short questions.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to the Basis Fellowship?
Anyone can apply, including operators, engineers, scientists and people in other fields who are doing remarkable work. The source asks for a portfolio or similar evidence of your work. It does not require a company.
Can Indian founders and engineers apply for the Basis Fellowship?
The source sets no country restriction in the text we could read, so an Indian applicant can apply. The fellowship is for individuals, not companies. Check tax rules on foreign money with an adviser before accepting.
How much is the Basis Fellowship?
Each fellow receives US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh). If you nominate someone who is chosen, you receive US$1,000. The team may also give US$3,000 to a strong application that does not make the cohort, at its discretion.
How is the Basis Fellowship paid?
The source does not say how or when the money is paid, or in which currency beyond the US dollar amount. It only says there are no strings attached. Ask the organisers before you plan around a date.
What is the deadline for the Basis Fellowship, and what if I miss it?
There is no deadline: applications are always open and never expire. If something new happens in your work, you can write again and the team will read the new application against your earlier one.
Is the Basis Fellowship a grant or equity?
It is a no-strings fellowship, not an investment. The source says there is no equity and no reporting, and the money can be spent on anything. You keep full ownership of what you build.
What do I need to apply for the Basis Fellowship?
You share a portfolio, GitHub, website or other files that show your work, plus answers to a few questions about what you have built, what you believe and what you do next. The source says the work section is the part that matters most. No other documents are listed.
Do I have to travel or relocate for the Basis Fellowship?
The source does not mention any travel or relocation requirement. It describes a network of fellows, but it does not say how that network meets. Ask the organisers if this matters to you.
Is it free to apply to the Basis Fellowship?
The source does not state a fee, and it describes a short application that takes about ten minutes. Check the application page before you submit.
When are Basis Fellows announced?
Fellows are named on a rolling basis, starting with the 2026 Founding Cohort. Being announced or listed is optional, so some fellows may never appear publicly. The source gives no fixed announcement date.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
