Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026
By T-Hub
Check your eligibility
Create a free account and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026 is a national programme for youth-led startups and NGOs, aligned with the Government of India’s Mission LiFE, offering capacity building, mentorship,…
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 20 March 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by T-Hub. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026 is the 8th edition of a national youth-focused social innovation and entrepreneurship programme in India, launched by the United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and co-created globally with the Citi Foundation. Implemented in India with T-Hub Foundation, the 2026 edition focuses on the theme of Responsible Consumption, aligned with the Government of India’s Mission LiFE initiative.
The programme is designed to empower youth-led startups and NGOs by supporting early-stage ideas and solutions that promote sustainable lifestyles and environmental responsibility. Participants receive structured capacity building, mentorship, ecosystem exposure, and opportunities for seed support. The challenge includes a virtual National Springboard Programme, a National Innovation Dialogue, an in-person regional immersion and bootcamp at T-Hub Hyderabad, and culminates in seed grants for top-performing startups.
The 2026 edition focuses on three sub-themes: Sustainable Textiles and Fashion, Circular Economy Innovations, and Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation. Through these focus areas, Youth Co:Lab aims to nurture scalable, impact-driven ventures that address environmental and social challenges while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Create a free account to view.
Grant providers
T-Hub is India's largest innovation campus, established in 2015 as a public-private partnership between the Government of Telangana, IIIT Hyderabad, ISB, and NALSAR University of Law. Located in Hyderabad, T-Hub's 5.72 lakh sq ft facility (T-Hub 2.0, launched in 2022) is among…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- ₹2.2 Lakhs – ₹3.5 Lakhs
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Top-performing startups receive seed grants of ₹2,20,000 to ₹3,50,000. Participants also gain structured capacity building, mentorship, and ecosystem exposure through the programme.
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
Who can apply?
Youth-led startups and NGOs with at least one founder aged 15–29 are eligible. The upper age limit is extended to 35 for women founders, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, tribal entrepreneurs, and founders from minority communities.
What themes must the solution address?
Solutions must align with the Responsible Consumption theme, specifically under one of three sub-themes: Sustainable Textiles and Fashion, Circular Economy Innovations, or Sustainable Food Systems and Water Conservation.
Can unregistered startups apply?
Yes, both registered and unregistered startups are eligible to apply.
What is the amount of seed grant provided?
Top-performing startups receive seed grants ranging from ₹2,20,000 to ₹3,50,000.
What support does the programme offer besides the grant?
The programme includes a virtual National Springboard Programme, a National Innovation Dialogue, and an in-person regional immersion and bootcamp at T-Hub Hyderabad, along with structured capacity building, mentorship, and ecosystem exposure.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
