DST NIDHI PRAYAS
A programme by KIIT-TBI
A twelve-month product development grant for turning an innovative idea into a working prototype. Between calls at the time of checking.
At a glance
| Best for | Science or engineering graduates with an idea that needs building into a prototype |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Format | In person |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Department of Science & Technology (DST) |
About DST NIDHI PRAYAS
NIDHI PRAYAS sits in the gap between an idea and a prototype. KIIT-TBI has been a PRAYAS centre since 2017-18. The call was closed when this page was last checked, so watch the programme page for the next window.
What you get
- A product development grant over twelve months
- Tailored mentoring across IP, legal, regulatory and business development
- Access to the digital fabrication lab to build the prototype
- Co-working space
- The chance to pitch for follow-on funding under KIIT-TBI's other programmes
Who can apply
- Early-stage founders with an innovative technology business idea they want to prototype
- Indian citizens with government-approved proof of nationality, aged at least 18 on the date of application
- Applicants who have completed a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree, with a basic degree in science or engineering
- Work in healthcare, agri tech, manufacturing, energy, AI/ML, IoT, geospatial, clean tech or other emerging technology
How selection works: The call opens for about a month, a shortlist is announced, shortlisted applicants present to a selection committee, and a final list follows.
How to apply: Apply on the programme page when the call opens.
Where to apply
Other KIIT-TBI programmes
- Incubation at KIIT-TBIThe always-open route into KIIT-TBI: physical or virtual incubation, with or without funding assistance.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)KIIT-TBI is a disbursing incubator for the national seed fund, which accepts applications all year through the Startup India portal.
- DST NIDHI EIR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence)A twelve-month monthly fellowship so a graduate can work full-time on a technology business idea. Between calls at the time of checking.
- DST NIDHI AcceleratorA six-month accelerator for startups past market validation, ending in an investor Demo Day. Registrations closed at the time of checking.
- DST NIDHI Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS)Seed support as a soft loan, equity or an equity-linked instrument for companies already incubated at KIIT-TBI.
- MeitY TIDE 2.0 GrantA twelve-month grant-in-aid to take a proof of concept to a prototype or MVP. Between calls at the time of checking.
- MeitY TIDE 2.0 EIRA twelve-month prototype development fellowship for individuals moving from concept to a working prototype. Between calls at the time of checking.
- MeitY SAMRIDH AcceleratorA six-month accelerator with matching investment for product startups ready to scale. Closed at the time of checking.
- GENESIS EiR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence)A twelve-month deep-tech grant for founders from Tier II and Tier III cities, run under MeitY's GENESIS centre at KIIT-TBI.
- BIRAC Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)BIRAC's early-stage biotech grant, run over 18 months. Call-25 was open at the time of checking.
- BIRAC BIG North EastA special BIG call for the North East, run over 24 months. Closed at the time of checking.
- BIRAC SEED FundEquity-based investment for life science companies with a proof of concept and a prior round behind them. Closed at the time of checking.
- BIRAC LEAP FundEquity-based investment to pilot and commercialise a life science product at technology readiness level 7 or above. Closed at the time of checking.
- Social Innovation Immersion Program (SIIP)An eighteen-month BIRAC fellowship for young social innovators, run through KIIT-TBI's SPARSH centre.
- iDEX Partner Incubator (defence innovation)KIIT-TBI is an iDEX partner incubator, supporting defence innovators through the Ministry of Defence's challenge programmes.
- Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD)Boeing's national student and pre-seed competition, run in India with KIIT-TBI as partner.