SDEX Fellowship (Shastra Deep-tech Excellence Fellowship)
A programme by Shastra VC
Equity-free, milestone-based fellowship for researchers and deep-tech innovators turning breakthrough science into applied solutions; 2026 applications are closed.
At a glance
| Best for | Researchers and scientist-founders in deep tech |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Duration | 16-18 weeks |
| Format | Hybrid |
| Cost | Free, no equity |
| Grant support | For selected startups. A place in the programme does not by itself guarantee a grant. |
About SDEX Fellowship (Shastra Deep-tech Excellence Fellowship)
A hybrid fellowship from Shastra VC for researchers and deep-tech innovators. The 2026 applications are closed and the page offers a notify option for the next cohort.
What you get
- Equity-free, milestone-based funding to run experiments and build prototypes
- Structured technical guidance and milestone planning
- One-to-one mentorship from Shastra partners, portfolio founders and domain experts
- A fast track to company creation or integration with a Shastra portfolio company if your milestone succeeds
- Exposure to real-world conditions such as labs, manufacturing inputs and testing setups
Who can apply
- PhD and post-doctoral researchers
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students with proven research experience
- Engineers and researchers in academic labs
- Scientist-founders and independent innovators
Tracks: a Challenge Track with industry-aligned problem statements and an Open Track where you define the problem and milestones.
How to apply: applications are closed for 2026. Use the notify link on the fellowship page or write to investments@shastra.vc.