Schaeffler Social Innovator Fellowship 2026

The Schaeffler Social Innovator Fellowship 2026, hosted by India Accelerator and funded by Schaeffler India, addresses the critical need for structured support for social entrepreneurs in India. Despite a vibrant ecosystem of innovators, many high-potential ventures, particularly those from Tier II, Tier III, and rural India, struggle with limited access to mentorship, catalytic funding, and industry networks. This fellowship aims to bridge this gap by identifying and nurturing promising social innovators who are developing sustainable solutions to pressing developmental challenges.

The program's vision is to establish a national platform dedicated to discovering, cultivating, and accelerating India's most impactful social innovators. By focusing on ventures creating solutions for critical areas like healthcare, agriculture, education, and clean energy, the fellowship seeks to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs poised to make significant societal contributions.

Key objectives include supporting 10 high-potential social innovators from diverse regions across India, enhancing their capabilities through structured capacity building and expert mentorship, and providing crucial grant support to expedite solution development and deployment. A particular emphasis is placed on increasing participation from founders in underserved Tier II, Tier III, and rural areas, ensuring that innovation is fostered inclusively across the nation. The fellowship also commits to building long-term impact through continuous post-program monitoring and active alumni engagement, aiming to create a scalable model for social innovation that can be replicated in future cohorts.