Trelis AI Grants & Investments
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Quick Answer
Trelis offers quarterly grants of ₹41,750 (US$500) to individuals for AI model development and potential ₹8.35 lakh (US$10,000) investments for financially self-sustaining ideas.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Equity
- Provider
- Trelis Research
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- International
About this funding program
The Trelis AI Grants & Investments program supports innovation in artificial intelligence by providing financial assistance to individuals and early-stage ventures. It aims to foster advancements in AI models and related tools, prioritizing projects with the potential for financial self-sustainability. The program is designed to empower researchers and developers worldwide to explore novel ideas in areas such as training, fine-tuning, inferencing, and other deployment tools for AI models. With a commitment to supporting the AI ecosystem, Trelis seeks to identify and nurture groundbreaking initiatives that can contribute significantly to the field. Beyond the financial support, the program also offers a pathway for promising projects to secure further investment, facilitating their growth and market integration.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Funding providers
Provider
Trelis ResearchBenefits & Funding
What You Get
- Quarterly Grants: Individuals can receive US$500 (approximately ₹41,750) per quarter to advance AI models. These grants are non-dilutive, and Trelis claims no rights to the work.
- Equity Investment Opportunity: Projects demonstrating strong potential for financial self-sustainability may apply for an investment of US$10,000 (approximately ₹8.35 lakh), typically structured as a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity).
- Visibility: With permission, Trelis announces grant recipients' names, project names, and summaries, offering exposure.
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed, and shortlisted candidates are invited for a 15-minute interview. Successful interview candidates are then offered grants or investments on a rolling basis. Preference is given to ideas that demonstrate potential for financial self-sustainability.
Application Process
- 1
Apply Online
Complete and submit the application 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
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for Trelis AI Grants & Investments?
Individuals of any age and location with an active GitHub/GitLab account are eligible for grants. For investment opportunities, a corporate entity must be in place or established within 30 days, with Delaware C Corps preferred.
What kind of initiatives are eligible for funding?
Any initiative that advances the development and use of AI models is eligible. This includes training, fine-tuning, inferencing, and other tools for deploying AI models.
How are grants paid and what are the requirements?
Grant recipients provide an invoice to Trelis LTD and are paid via bank transfer, Paypal, Stripe, or as a last resort, Runpod credits. Upon completion, grantees must submit a title, a 280-character tweet-style summary, and a 500-word summary of their accomplishment.
Does Trelis take equity or intellectual property from grant recipients?
No, Trelis does not claim any rights to the work done by the grantee for the grant. The grants are non-dilutive. The investment track, however, typically involves equity via a SAFE.
What is the application process and timeline?
Applicants must fill out the provided application form. Successful candidates will be contacted for a 15-minute interview. Grants and investments are offered on a rolling basis throughout the quarter, with announcements made at the end of the quarter following completion.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
