HCLTech Grant — Edition XII
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Quick Answer
HCLTech Grant is a CSR initiative by HCLTech that awards financial grants of up to ₹5 Crore to NGOs committed to transformative rural development across Water, Biodiversity, Health, and Education sectors in India.
- Funding amount
- ₹50 Lakhs – ₹5 Cr
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- HCL Foundation
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 5 July 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by HCL Foundation. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The HCLTech Grant, launched in 2015 by HCLTech through its HCLFoundation, is a significant Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment aimed at empowering and recognizing Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in India. This prestigious initiative identifies NGOs as the 'Fifth Estate', acknowledging their crucial role as catalysts for social change, particularly in transforming rural India. The grant specifically supports award-winning projects by NGOs that demonstrate a proven track record of impactful work, high credibility, and a distinct ability to deliver sustainable socio-economic and environmental development. The focus is on reaching marginalized, isolated, underserved, and underdeveloped rural communities across the country. Through this grant, HCLFoundation seeks to foster innovative, replicable, and sustainable models that align with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals, driving comprehensive rural upliftment in India. The total committed funds for Edition XII stand at ₹24 Crores, reflecting HCLTech's deep commitment to rural development.
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
HCLFoundation is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of HCLTech. It was established in 2011, describes itself as a not-for-profit organisation, and gives its contact address in Sector 126, Noida, Uttar Pradesh. If you are a founder, read this first: its best-known…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- ₹50 Lakhs – ₹5 Cr
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
The HCLTech Grant provides substantial financial backing for impactful rural development projects. Winning NGOs in each of the four categories (Water, Biodiversity, Health, Education) receive a ₹5 Crore grant to support a 4-year project, enabling long-term, sustainable initiatives. Additionally, eight runners-up NGOs are awarded ₹50 Lakhs each for a two-year project. Beyond the funding, selected NGOs benefit from significant recognition as leaders in social change, enhanced credibility, networking opportunities with sector experts and other impactful organizations, and a platform to showcase their innovative models for rural transformation.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Cohort size
- 12 startups
- Funding source
- CSR funded
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The HCLTech Grant employs a rigorous, multi-stage jury process to ensure the selection of the most impactful and credible NGO projects. Initially, applications undergo a thorough screening against predefined eligibility criteria and submitted documents. Subsequently, the organizational profile and project abstract are reviewed by independent domain experts, HCLFoundation sector experts, and a Governance Partner, assessing aspects like problem relevance, solution innovation, and potential impact. Shortlisted organizations then submit detailed proposals for review, focusing on their capacity to deliver, financial modeling, sustainability, inclusive approach, and scalability. This is followed by a field audit conducted by the HCLFoundation team and domain experts, along with diligence by the governance partner. A 12-member Sub-jury panel reviews further shortlisted applications, with the top three per category progressing. The final stage involves detailed due diligence by the Governance Partner, including background checks and site visits, culminating in a 6-member eminent Jury panel selecting one winner (₹5 Crore) and two runners-up (₹50 Lakhs each) per thematic category.
Application Process
- 1
Apply Online
Submit organizational profile, project abstract, and mandatory documents via the online portal.
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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
What is the HCLTech Grant?
The HCLTech Grant is a CSR initiative by HCLTech, through HCLFoundation, to strengthen and empower NGOs in India by providing financial grants for impactful rural development projects across Water, Biodiversity, Health, and Education.
Who is eligible to apply for the HCLTech Grant?
Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit entities in India (Societies, Trusts, Section 8 Companies) with at least 5 years of functional existence by March 31, 2026, and an average annual expenditure of ₹50 Lakhs or more over the last three financial years. They must be fully compliant with all relevant regulatory and statutory requirements.
What are the funding amounts available?
The winning NGO in each of the four thematic categories receives a grant of ₹5 Crore for a 4-year project. Additionally, eight runners-up NGOs receive ₹50 Lakhs each for a two-year project.
Which sectors and regions are covered by the grant?
The grant supports projects in Water, Biodiversity, Health, and Education, focusing on rural India. It is a pan-India initiative with no state-specific restrictions, emphasizing organizations with experience in rural areas.
What kind of projects does the HCLTech Grant support?
The grant supports innovative, replicable, and sustainable projects that significantly contribute to socio-economic and environmental development in rural communities. Inclusive and gender-transformative approaches are particularly encouraged.
What is the application process for the HCLTech Grant?
Applicants must first fulfill the detailed eligibility criteria. The process involves an online application form submission, followed by multiple stages including application screening, abstract review, detailed proposal review, field audit, sub-jury review, due diligence, and a final jury review to select winners and runners-up.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
