DST NIDHI PRAYAS at HTIC
A programme by IIT Madras HTIC MedTech Incubator (MTI)
Grant support for innovators and early startups to build a physical prototype; the last dated call on the page closed on 30 June 2023.
At a glance
| Best for | Individual innovators and early-stage startups building a first physical prototype. |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Duration | 18 months |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
About DST NIDHI PRAYAS at HTIC
NIDHI PRAYAS supports young innovators in turning an idea into a proof of concept. HTIC MTI is one of the centres that runs it. The page shows an application deadline of 30 June 2023 and no newer call, so check with the programme inbox before you prepare an application.
What you get
- Grant support to build the prototype, over a project of 18 months
- Registration in HTIC MTI's pre-incubation or incubation programme for the whole project
- Access to IIT Madras infrastructure, mentoring by faculty and alumni, and IP, legal and compliance support
Who can apply
- Individual innovators who are Indian citizens and at least 18 years old, or early-stage startups incorporated in India with at least 51% of equity held by Indian citizens and not more than 7 years of existence
- The product must be a physical prototype that can be built within 18 months
- Pure software, e-commerce, service and app-based projects are not eligible
- Priority areas include manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, clean-tech, energy, water and IoT
How to apply: use the application link on the programme page when a call is open. Queries go to nidhiprayas@htic.iitm.ac.in.
Where to apply
Other IIT Madras HTIC MedTech Incubator (MTI) programmes
- Incubation Programme (HTIC MedTech Incubator)Resident incubation for healthcare-technology founders at IITM Research Park, with mentors, business support and access to the attached HTIC research lab.
- DST NIDHI Accelerator at HTICA 6-month cohort programme for healthcare startups with an MVP; the last call listed closed on 25 October 2025.
- DST NIDHI-EIR at HTICA 12-month fellowship with office space and mentoring for first-time technology founders; the page shows no dated call.
- BIRAC SPARSH fellowship (HTIC centre)A BIRAC social-innovation fellowship for under-35 graduates, run through HTIC; the first call has closed and the next theme call is not dated.
- BIRAC BIG support (Associate Partner)HTIC MTI helps applicants prepare for BIRAC's Biotechnology Ignition Grant; the call window on the page is from 2021.