How much grant support is available?

Up to ₹10 lakh per selected innovator or startup, provided as a non-dilutive grant under DST's NIDHI i-TBI scheme for prototype development, PoC, and MVP validation.

Students, researchers, and early-stage startups at the ideation, PoC, prototype, or MVP stage working in DeepTech, AI/ML, AgriTech, or Sustainability Technology. Pre-revenue and pre-incorporation applicants are eligible.

What support is provided beyond the grant?

End-to-end support for prototype development and validation, mentorship from industry experts, incubation support at UPES, and networking opportunities with investors.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 10 June 2026. Submit via the Runway Incubator programme portal at the link provided.

UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 – Runway Incubator – Up to ₹10 Lakhs

Grant providers

Provider

Runway Incubator, UPES

Dehradun · Uttarakhand · India

Runway Incubator is the flagship startup incubation program of the UPES Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UCIE), operating under UPES and the Hydrocarbons Education & Research Society (HERS) in Dehradun. Launched in 2021 and recognised by the Government of…

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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
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.

The UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 is a grant programme by Runway Incubator at UPES, under the Department of Science and Technology's National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) i-TBI scheme. The programme offers financial support of up to ₹10 lakh to early-stage innovators working in DeepTech, AI and ML, AgriTech, and Sustainability Technology , helping participants progress from ideation through proof-of-concept, prototype development, and validation to a Minimum Viable Product.

The programme is designed for students, researchers, and early-stage startups who have an innovation concept but need resources and guidance to develop and test it. The grant covers end-to-end support for early-stage R&D and product development , prototype building, PoC validation, and technical iteration , alongside structured mentorship from industry experts and incubation support from Runway Incubator's ecosystem at UPES, Dehradun.

Beyond the grant, participants gain access to Runway Incubator's mentor network, investor connections, and the institutional infrastructure of UPES , one of the few universities in Uttarakhand with a DST-supported Technology Business Incubator. This makes the programme particularly relevant for innovators from Uttarakhand and neighbouring regions, though it is open to applicants across India.

The Ignition Grant model under DST's NIDHI i-TBI scheme is one of India's most established grant frameworks for pre-revenue deeptech innovation, and the second edition of this programme at UPES reflects growing institutional commitment to the region's startup ecosystem. For founders at the idea or early prototype stage in the covered sectors, this grant provides both capital and credibility at a critical pre-commercial phase.

UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 – Runway Incubator

UPES DST-iTBI Ignition Grant 2.0 – Runway Incubator

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