NIDHI Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (NIDHI-EIR)
A programme by FiiRE (Forum for Innovation Incubation Research)
A 12-month fellowship paid as a monthly stipend to a first-generation graduate entrepreneur with a technology business idea, with coworking space, mentorship and prototyping assistance.
At a glance
| Best for | First-generation science or engineering graduates with a technology idea and no prior income |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea |
| 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 & Technology |
About NIDHI Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (NIDHI-EIR)
NIDHI-EIR is a fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology, delivered through FiiRE, for an aspiring entrepreneur who wants to pursue a technology business idea. FiiRE lists it as an upcoming third cohort and publishes no dates.
What you get
- A monthly stipend for 12 months
- Coworking space
- Mentorship
- Prototyping assistance
Who can apply
- Indian citizens with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in science or engineering
- First-generation innovative entrepreneurs with no prior source of income
- People who will work on the venture full time
- Final-year students cannot apply
- The stipend stops from the date the first tranche of outside funding arrives
How selection works: The eligibility list asks for a formal business plan and a presentation. The page does not describe later steps.
How to apply: Use the application form linked from the programme page. A brochure can be requested there. No deadline is stated.
Where to apply
Other FiiRE programmes
- FiiRE Incubation ProgrammeIncubation for early-stage TourismTech startups, with mentorship, workspace and access to investors, run from the Fatorda campus and the Margao centre.
- MeitY GENESIS EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence)A MeitY programme hosted by FiiRE Goa for first-generation tech entrepreneurs from Tier II and Tier III cities, marked as completed on FiiRE's investments page.
- NIDHI-PRAYASA DST grant to turn an innovative idea into a physical proof-of-concept prototype over 12 months, with mentorship, coworking and prototyping support.
- NIDHI Seed Support System (NIDHI-SS)DST seed support for TourismTech startups that have already spent at least three months in incubation at FiiRE; the page gives no instrument or intake window.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), through FiiREFiiRE is a selected incubator under the DPIIT seed scheme, through which startups apply for proof-of-concept grants and later market-entry investment.
- MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0 (FiiRE as host institute)A national idea hackathon from the Ministry of MSME in which applicants could pick Don Bosco College of Engineering, Goa as their host institute; applications closed on 14 July 2025.
- Goa Tourism Accelerator (past cohorts)A 16-week incubation programme for TourismTech startups; the 2021 cohort drew more than 50 startups, 14 of which were incubated, and no current batch is listed.