Energy & Climate Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — October 2026

Indian startups in the Energy & Climate sector currently have access to 10 active programs, which include grant funding, seed investments, incubation support, and innovation challenges. These initiatives are designed to foster technological advancements and sustainable solutions across the nation.

Active Energy & Climate Grants and Programs

The funding landscape for Energy & Climate ventures in India is characterized by a mix of government-backed schemes, institutional accelerator programs, and impact-driven competitions. These opportunities aim to support early-stage innovations, product development, and market commercialization in areas critical to environmental sustainability and energy transition.

Pollination Project Daily Grants (The Pollination Project)

The Pollination Project Daily Grants offer seed funding up to ₹9,50,000 to grassroots changemakers globally, including those in India. The Pollination Project is a global foundation that supports social and environmental change initiatives. Since 2012, it has backed over 6,000 projects across 120 countries, driven by a vision for a more compassionate world.

The foundation focuses on empowering individuals, informally organized groups, and early-stage non-profits. Initiatives addressing planetary and human health, climate resilience, and environmental regeneration are directly relevant to the Energy & Climate sector. The program operates on a rolling basis, allowing continuous applications.

IBITF Tribal Area Sub-Plan Grant 2026 (IIT Bhilai Innovation and Technology Foundation)

The IBITF Tribal Area Sub-Plan Grant 2026 is a call for proposals by the IIT Bhilai Innovation and Technology Foundation (IBITF). This initiative, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, aims to cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship that is either tribal-centric or tribal-led.

The program focuses on technology commercialization to directly benefit Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities by enhancing livelihoods and generating income. Solutions in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation that serve tribal communities are relevant. The deadline for this program is 30 October 2026.

SciFounders Fellowship (SciFounders)

SciFounders Fellowship backs technical founders launching hard-science companies with seed investment up to ₹9,30,00,000 (US$1 million). The program has no deadline or formal application form; founders apply by email. It is managed by experienced entrepreneurs, including a co-founder of Mammoth Biosciences.

SciFounders explicitly states that companies based in India are eligible for investment. This makes it a significant opportunity for deep-tech Energy & Climate startups requiring substantial early-stage capital.

IIMCIP Bengal Business Accelerator 2026 (IIM Calcutta Innovation Park)

The IIMCIP Bengal Business Accelerator 2026 is a joint initiative by the West Bengal Government and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP). It is designed to support innovative MSMEs and startups within West Bengal, addressing challenges related to funding and business model development.

The accelerator aims to nurture investible businesses, facilitate access to funding, and enable sustainable expansion. While not exclusively for Energy & Climate, ventures contributing to economic prosperity and innovation in West Bengal, including those in sustainable development, are encouraged. The program closes on 10 November 2026.

PI-RAHI SPARKS 2.0 Grant (PI-RAHI)

PI-RAHI SPARKS 2.0 Grant, or the Strategic Program for Accelerating Research & Knowledge Startups, is led by PI-RAHI (PU-IIT Ropar Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations Foundation). As the Northern Region S&T Cluster under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, it is jointly hosted by Panjab University and IIT Ropar.

This program empowers research-driven and deep-tech startups, providing resources and strategic guidance for commercialization. Energy & Climate innovations rooted in scientific research and advanced technology are a strong fit. The application deadline is 23 November 2026.

Heat & Health Innovation Challenge 1.0 (Centre of Excellence on Climate & Health)

The Heat & Health Innovation Challenge 1.0 is a national initiative by the Centre of Excellence on Climate & Health (CoE-CH). It seeks to identify and accelerate innovations addressing heat and climate-health challenges across India. The challenge offers funding up to ₹1,00,000.

CoE-CH, with partners like Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth, focuses on uncovering validated and deployable solutions that impact public health and climate change resilience. Startups, MSMEs, corporate innovation teams, and non-profits working on climate adaptation solutions are eligible to apply on a rolling basis.

NLDSL DigiTwin Grand Challenge 2026 (NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd.)

The NLDSL DigiTwin Grand Challenge 2026 is an initiative by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) in partnership with NICDC and DPIIT Startup India. The challenge aims to transform India's logistics sector using Digital Twin technology.

Digital Twins can optimize logistics operations, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in transportation and warehousing. Solutions applicable to port operations, freight corridors, and supply chain networks that improve efficiency and sustainability are relevant. The final date for applications is 14 November 2026.

Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 (Government of Maharashtra)

Part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, the Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 is a program by the Government of Maharashtra. In collaboration with the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS), it seeks innovative solutions for governmental and societal challenges across 10 sectors, offering up to ₹10,00,000.

This challenge connects innovators with state machinery to transform concepts into impactful realities. Energy & Climate solutions that address local challenges within Maharashtra, such as sustainable resource management or clean energy access, can apply. The challenge closes on 30 October 2026.

BuildX Hackathon 2026 (T-Hub)

The BuildX Hackathon 2026 is a collaborative initiative by AIC T-Hub and Crescent Innovation Incubation Council, offering prizes up to ₹50,000. This 36-hour hackathon challenges university students, early-stage startups, and individual innovators to develop solutions in various sectors, including Climate & Urban Sustainability.

Hosted at the B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute in Chennai, the event provides a platform for applying engineering, AI, ML, and robotics skills to real-world problems. Solutions focused on climate resilience, sustainable urban development, and environmental technology are encouraged. The deadline for registration is 1 November 2026.

The Liveability Challenge 2027 (Temasek Foundation)

The Liveability Challenge 2027, presented by Temasek Foundation, is Asia’s largest sustainability solutions platform. The tenth edition offers a pool of over S$5.5 million (approximately ₹7,50,57,000) and includes themes like Decarbonisation, Oceans, and Cool Earth.

TLC connects innovators with funding and market access for high-potential climate and sustainability solutions. Since 2018, it has incubated over 61 startups and deployed significant catalytic funding. Finalists pitch at Ecosperity Week 2027 in Singapore. Solutions involving deep-tech for carbon emissions reduction and environmental regeneration are highly relevant. The deadline is 12 February 2027.

Before Applying

Before initiating an application, review specific eligibility requirements as programs often have geographic or thematic constraints. For instance, the IBITF Tribal Area Sub-Plan Grant 2026 specifically targets tribal-centric or tribal-led innovations, and solutions benefiting Scheduled Tribe communities. Similarly, the IIMCIP Bengal Business Accelerator 2026 is for MSMEs and startups within West Bengal, while the Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 focuses on innovators in Maharashtra.

Note the varying application timelines. The IBITF Tribal Area Sub-Plan Grant 2026 and Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 close imminently on 30 October 2026. The BuildX Hackathon 2026 and IIMCIP Bengal Business Accelerator 2026 have deadlines of 1 November 2026 and 10 November 2026, respectively. The NLDSL DigiTwin Grand Challenge 2026 closes on 14 November 2026, and the PI-RAHI SPARKS 2.0 Grant on 23 November 2026. Programs like Pollination Project Daily Grants, SciFounders Fellowship, and Heat & Health Innovation Challenge 1.0 accept applications on a rolling basis, while the SciFounders Fellowship notably bypasses traditional forms for an email pitch. The Liveability Challenge 2027 provides a longer lead time, closing on 12 February 2027.