Social Alpha EIR Fellowship Programme
By Social Alpha
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Quick Answer
A year-long immersive fellowship equipping passionate entrepreneurs with end-to-end capacity building, resources, and financial support to build deep science and social impact startups in India.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹50 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Provider
- Social Alpha
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
About this grant
The Social Alpha Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiR) Fellowship Programme is a comprehensive year-long immersive initiative designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. Rooted in solving chronic and emerging societal problems, the program leverages India’s rich ecosystem of deep science, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It provides participants with extensive capacity building, essential resources, and critical support in technology development, business planning, and venture building, alongside an in-depth understanding of the social sector.
Social Alpha, with its mission to foster innovations for large-scale sustainable social, economic, and environmental impact, recognizes the unique needs of budding entrepreneurs. This fellowship is tailored to attract talented individuals passionate about venturing into social entrepreneurship, offering a practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving. It significantly lowers the opportunity cost and entry barriers traditionally associated with starting a social business, allowing latent entrepreneurs to experiment and innovate without the fear of failure. The program also provides a crucial outlet for innovators within the Social Alpha ecosystem to bring their solutions to market, anchoring them firmly in social enterprise building and immersive development sector experiences.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Social Alpha is a not-for-profit innovation and venture-development platform for science and technology start-ups working on social, economic and environmental problems. It is run by the Foundation for Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (FISE), launched in 2016 and sponsored…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹50 Lakhs
- Monthly stipend
- ₹60,000/month
- Fund type
- Fellowship
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
The EiR Fellowship provides substantial support to innovators developing solutions through their entrepreneurial ventures. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of ₹60,000 to cover living expenses, significantly lowering the financial barrier to entrepreneurship. There is also an opportunity to pitch for seed funding up to ₹50 lakh to accelerate venture development. Beyond capital, the program offers extensive strategic and business support, including masterclasses, need-based mentoring from domain experts, and access to a vast network of entrepreneurs and functional specialists. Innovators benefit from free access to Social Alpha lab facilities for prototyping and product development, as well as easy access to partner organizations for scientific support, with specialized mentoring on Design for Manufacturing. Customised support, including access to Social Alpha's network of investors, mentors, and industry leaders, ensures tailored assistance for specific needs, complemented by support for IP, finance, and statutory requirements.
- Disbursement
- Monthly Stipend
- Duration
- 12 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
The selection process for the EiR Fellowship is designed to identify passionate and dedicated entrepreneurs with high potential for creating social impact through deep science and technology. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis, with an evaluation period typically spanning 1 to 3 months. The process involves multiple stages, beginning with an initial screening of applications to assess alignment with Social Alpha's mission and eligibility criteria. Shortlisted candidates may then be invited for interviews or further assessments. The program structure includes various 'Huddles' and immersion exercises, which may serve as continuous evaluation points. The final stage often involves an 'Investor Pitch Week', where candidates present their ventures to a specially constituted investment committee and potential external investors, leading to a final selection for seed funding and program completion.
Application Process
- 1
Apply Online
Submit your application through the official online form.
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Social Alpha EiR Fellowship Programme?
It is a year-long immersive fellowship designed for scientific and engineering entrepreneurs to build startups solving India's development challenges, providing financial, strategic, innovation, and customized support.
What financial support is provided?
Fellows receive a monthly stipend of ₹60,000 and have the opportunity to pitch for seed funding up to ₹50 lakh for their ventures.
Who is eligible to apply?
The program targets scientific and engineering entrepreneurs in early stages of technology development. This includes student innovators, researchers with PhDs/post-docs, mid-career professionals, scientists on sabbatical, and serial entrepreneurs focused on the underserved population. Women innovators are especially encouraged.
What kind of ventures does the program support?
The program supports ventures rooted in deep science and technology, specifically those aimed at creating sustainable social, economic, and environmental impact by solving India's development challenges and targeting the underserved population.
Is there a deadline to apply?
Applications for the EiR Fellowship are open round the year. Prospective fellows are evaluated on a quarterly basis.
What is the typical journey in the fellowship?
The journey involves exposure to the Social Alpha ecosystem, prototype development and lab testing, field trials, business planning, and investor pitch preparations, supported by various huddles, immersions, and bootcamps.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
