NIDHI PRAYAS at SCTIMST-TIMed
A programme by SCTIMST-TIMed
A prototyping grant from the Department of Science & Technology for idea-stage innovators with a physical medical or technology product.
At a glance
| Best for | Individual innovators and young startups who need to build a first physical prototype |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Duration | Prototype to be completed within 18 months |
| Format | Hybrid |
| Cost | Free, no equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
| Run with | Department of Science & Technology, Government of India |
About NIDHI PRAYAS at SCTIMST-TIMed
NIDHI PRAYAS is DST's grant for turning an idea into a prototype, run at TIMed for applicants across the country. It is pre-incubation: you do not have to be incubating at TIMed to apply. The most recent call published on its page is for 2024-25.
What you get
- A proof-of-concept grant to take an idea to a working prototype
- Physical infrastructure to build in
- Technical guidance and business mentorship
Who can apply
- An individual innovator with no company, or a founder or co-founder of a startup
- Individuals: Indian citizens with government-approved proof of nationality, at least 18 years old. Teams agree on one lead innovator who applies and receives the funds
- Startups: incorporated in India, no more than seven years old, at least 51% of equity held by Indian citizens, within the stated turnover ceiling, developing a prototype for a new product that no other funding agency has supported
- The prototype must be a physical product and must be completable within eighteen months
- Not eligible: pure software development, e-commerce, service solutions, app-based solutions, research or student internships at institutions, and any product already past prototype stage
- Priority areas are manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, clean-tech, energy, water and the Internet of Things; other areas may be considered on merit
How selection works: Proposals are assessed on how innovative the idea is, the roadmap and timeline, market and business potential once the prototype exists, clinical relevance, social impact, team strength and composition, the potential to form a company, the potential for follow-on funding and the potential for IP. Preference goes to applicants who have bootstrapped or hold a co-investment commitment, who have a clear commercialization roadmap, to women innovators and to young innovators. Intellectual property stays with the innovator, the team or the startup.
How to apply: Download the application form for your case — individual innovator, team of innovators, or company — from the NIDHI PRAYAS page and submit it. The page names a project coordinator for queries, and lists timed@sctimst.ac.in.
Where to apply
Other SCTIMST-TIMed programmes
- Incubation at TIMedRolling, physical incubation for medical device and biomaterials ventures, for up to 36 months, on SCTIMST's Biomedical Technology Wing campus.
- NIDHI Seed Support System at SCTIMST-TIMedSeed funding for startups already incubating at TIMed, under the Department of Science & Technology scheme TIMed was selected to run.
- TIPS@TIMed — technology transfer and IP servicesA regional technology transfer office at TIMed, set up under BIRAC's National Biopharma Mission, offering patent and commercialisation services across India.
- KTU Minor in EntrepreneurshipTIMed is one of five incubators empanelled by APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University to deliver its credit-bearing entrepreneurship minor.