NIDHI-PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators and Startups)
निधि-प्रयास
Open continuously
No deadline — apply whenever you are ready.
PRAYAS 2.0: prototype funding up to Rs 20 lakh per innovator/startup; specialised DeepTech centres up to Rs 40 lakh.
Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, implemented with SINE, IIT Bombay
public · national
Deadline: Open all year — Innovators apply through individual NIDHI-PRAYAS Centres hosted at selected Technology Business Incubators; each centre runs its own call. Centres themselves are selected through open calls published on the NIDHI-PRAYAS PMU website.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Major bid — written case, budget, possibly partners.
Who can apply
- Stage: idea stage and pre-seed
- R&D activity required
- Locally registered entity required
Sector-agnostic. Beneficiaries are Students / Researchers / Innovators / Entrepreneurs / Startups; a registered company is not required at application stage. Emphasis on indigenously developed innovations aligned with the AtmaNirbhar Bharat Mission. DPIIT recognition is not stated as a prerequisite on the official DST page.
How to apply
- Read the NIDHI-PRAYAS guidelines. — link
- Find a NIDHI-PRAYAS Centre (a selected TBI) near you from the official list. — link
- Apply to that centre when its call is open; selected PRAYASEEs receive milestone-based prototype funding and Fab Lab access. — link
What you will need
- Prototype development proposal with milestones and budget
- Proof of student / innovator status or entity registration
- Technical description of the innovation
Related reading: How grant deadlines actually work · DPIIT recognition for Indian startups, explained
Source. https://nidhi.dst.gov.in/prayas2-0/
"Support technology-based innovations with prototype funding of up to ₹20 Lakhs per innovator/startup."
Last checked against the official page on 5 October 2026
Source: nidhi.dst.gov.in
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