NIDHI-Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR)
A programme by Atal Incubation Centre (Atal Incubation Centre)
A 12-month fellowship for science and engineering graduates building a technology-based startup, run with AIC ISB as a NIDHI programme partner.
At a glance
| Best for | Science and engineering graduates building a technology startup full-time |
|---|---|
| Duration | 12 months |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Department of Science and Technology (NSTEDB) |
About NIDHI-Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR)
NIDHI-EIR is a fellowship that gives enterprising individuals support to pursue a technology business idea without the risk of leaving work in one step. The programme page says applications for the next cohort are opening soon.
What you get
- Grant support over 12 months, given as a monthly fellowship.
- Access to the AIC ISB Makerspace for product development, prototyping and testing.
- Mentoring from the ISB startup and alumni network.
- Co-working space and networking events with investors and industry experts.
Who can apply
- Indian citizens who have finished an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in science or engineering.
- Applicants in their final year of study are not eligible.
- Full-time commitment to the venture. The fellowship is not meant as academic support or a bridge between jobs.
How selection works: preference goes to technology-focused ideas with real technical uncertainty, ideas based on publicly funded research, and ideas with social impact. Ideas that lack substantial technological innovation are discouraged.
How to apply: watch the programme page for the cohort call. Applicants need a formal business plan, a business presentation and an investment proposal.
Where to apply
Other AIC programmes
- MeitY GENESIS EIR 3.0 (GENESIS-EIR Cohort 3)Physical incubation at the ISB Mohali campus and a MeitY-backed grant for early-stage innovators in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
- MeitY GENESIS Pilot 2.0Pilot funding for startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities that have a pilot purchase order or work order, with equity allotted to the implementing agency.
- GENESIS Matching FundA matching contribution for Tier-II and Tier-III startups that have raised capital from institutional investors.
- NIDHI Accelerator (Agri cohort)An agriculture-focused accelerator for early-revenue startups, with mentoring, pilots, market linkages and grant support for the top three startups.