NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (NIDHI-EIR)
A programme by AIC ISB
A year-long fellowship that pays science and engineering graduates a monthly stipend to work full time on a technology business idea.
At a glance
| Best for | Science and engineering graduates ready to work full time on a technology idea |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Duration | 12 months of fellowship; support can be spread over 12 to 18 months |
| Format | In person |
| Cost | Free, no equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | NSTEDB, Department of Science and Technology |
About NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (NIDHI-EIR)
NIDHI-EIR is a Department of Science and Technology fellowship run through NSTEDB, and AIC ISB is one of its programme partners. It exists to make it possible for a graduate to try a technology venture instead of taking a job. The programme page currently says cohort 3 applications are opening soon, so there is no open call today.
What you get
- A monthly fellowship paid over twelve months, sector agnostic
- Access to the Makerspace at AIC ISB for product development, prototyping and testing
- Mentoring from ISB startups, alumni and the mentor network on business model, strategy, sector and market
- Co-working space with basic amenities
- Training to build your core skills
- Networking with investors and industry experts
- Incubation support afterwards, and help applying for other funding programmes
Who can apply
- Indian citizens who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in science or engineering
- Final-year students are not eligible, and neither are PhD students already drawing a fellowship from their institution
- You must commit full time — this is not a gap between jobs, and the money cannot fund academic work
- You should be able to show you can build a scalable technology business
- You need a written business plan, a business presentation and an investment proposal ready
- Preference goes to ideas with real technical uncertainty or long gestation, ideas built on publicly funded or academic research, and ideas with strong social impact. Ideas without substantial technological innovation are discouraged
How selection works: AIC ISB, as the programme execution partner, checks each applicant's eligibility. Eligible applicants are then assessed by AIC ISB's own selection committee against the qualifying criteria, which picks the fellows.
How to apply: Fill the NIDHI-EIR form linked from the programme page when a cohort opens. SC and ST applicants also submit a caste certificate from a valid government department. Questions go to contact@aicisb.org.
Where to apply
Other AIC ISB programmes
- MeitY GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR)A fellowship for early-stage technology founders from Tier-II and Tier-III cities, with grant support and six months incubated at ISB Mohali.
- NIDHI Accelerator - Agri FocusAn agriculture-focused accelerator for early-revenue ventures, ending in a demo day, with grant support for the top three.
- MeitY GENESIS Pilot FundingFunding to run a real pilot with a corporate, PSU or large enterprise, for startups from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities that already hold a pilot order.
- MeitY GENESIS Matching FundA one-for-one match against money you have already raised from institutional investors, for startups registered in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
- ArthX (HDFC Parivartan StartUp Grants)A sustainability grants programme with HDFC Bank Parivartan for revenue-stage startups in Punjab, decided on a pitch day.
- Royal Norwegian Embassy Fellowship Grant for battery energy storageA two-phase online fellowship for community battery energy storage ideas in Punjab, run with TERI and funded by the Norwegian Embassy.