DST NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence
A programme by Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad
A co-creation fellowship for entrepreneurs with a deep tech idea to build it out using IIIT-H research labs.
At a glance
| Best for | Entrepreneurs with a research-backed deep tech idea |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Format | In person |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | DST NIDHI |
About DST NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence
The DST NIDHI EIR programme lets an entrepreneur co-create a deep tech product with IIIT-H's research labs, working full-time toward a startup with social or commercial application.
What you get
Co-creation with research labs, strategy guidance and acceleration support, access to maker labs, a monthly fellowship stipend, and a seed fund on achieving agreed milestones.
Who can apply
Applicants need a minimum of four years of full-time undergraduate or postgraduate education in science or engineering (or a three-year degree/diploma plus two years of relevant work experience), must work on the venture full-time with no other concurrent fellowship or remuneration, and the proposed solution should use AI/ML, computer vision or robotics. Applicants in SC/ST categories are asked for a caste certificate at application.
How selection works: screening, then shortlisting interviews, then selection and onboarding.
How to apply: apply via CIE's DST NIDHI page; focus areas include smart cities, mobility, medtech, road safety, natural language translation and Industry 4.0.
Where to apply
Other Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad programmes
- Avishkar Venture Studio (Deeptech Accelerator)CIE's six-month deep tech accelerator for startups in AI, robotics, computer vision and related emerging technologies.
- OJAS-MedTech Acceleration ProgrammeA six-month accelerator for MedTech, life sciences, biotech, diagnostics and wellness startups.
- OJAS MedTech BioNEST IncubatorThe standing incubator behind OJAS, for companies building products at the intersection of technology and medicine.
- OJAS PEP ProgramA one-year fellowship for researchers and medical professionals moving into healthcare entrepreneurship.
- AIC-IIITH (Social Tech Incubator)An Atal Incubation Centre for tech-based social enterprises, run under CIE with its own leadership.
- FLO Incubator (Women Entrepreneurs)A two-part incubation track for women entrepreneurs, run with FICCI FLO Hyderabad.
- NIDHI-PRAYASA prototyping grant and Fab Lab access to move an idea to a working prototype.
- TIDE 2.0 (EIR and Grant tracks)MeitY's TIDE 2.0 co-creation fellowship and a separate short grant track for early-stage deeptech startups.
- HDFC Bank Parivartan: AI for Social Good ChallengeA grant challenge for research-driven, social-impact deep tech startups, run with HDFC Bank; its most recent round closed in February 2025.
- Research Connect (Research Cafe, Rootnode, CV Labs, Deeptech CoWorkz)A set of lighter-touch tracks for structured access to IIIT-H faculty and research labs.
- Launch Pad, Propel and Virtual Incubation (desk plans)Monthly desk, cabin or fully remote incubation plans for startups that want space and mentoring without an accelerator cohort.
Everything about Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), IIIT Hyderabad