NIDHI PRAYAS

Overview

DST-NIDHI's PRomoting and Accelerating Young and ASpiring technology entrepreneurs (PRAYAS) is a pre-incubation initiative which supports young innovators to turn their ideas into Proof of Concept. The program aims to provide a platform to young innovators to generate solutions for relevant local and social problem. PRAYAS will also promote vibrant innovation ecosystem, by establishing a network between innovators, academia, mentors, and incubators by catalysing the process of commercialization for innovators. It is implemented by Program Management Unit (PMU) at recognised PRAYAS Centes. SIIC, IIT Kanpur is one of the PRAYAS centres.

Applications Open

Focus Domains

Agriculture

Healthcare

Cleantech

Water Energy

Internet Of Things (IOT)

Technological Areas

Eligibility

An Indian individual innovator with minimum 18 years of age, without a startup or founder of a startup can apply for Prayas grant.
The ideas and innovations should be physical product based on technology and science.
Innovators should have technical skills or background and a roadmap towards commercialization.
Prototype must be capable of being completed within 18 months.

Offerings

Grant upto INR
10 Lakhs

Access to lab infrastructure & working space at IIT Kanpur

Mentorship from experienced industry experts

Development of idea from early to commercial stage

Application Process

Step 1

The call for proposals as per intervals decided by Department of Science and Technology
Step 2

Submission of proposals within the period of one month from the date of call for proposals
Step 3

Project Management Committee meeting to scrutinize the application
Step 4

Shortlisting of applictions
Step 5

Approval on the funding announced

12

Months Program Duration

₹ 23M

Funding Released

34

Total Startups Supported

185

Applications Received

NIDHI PRAYAS Program

Applications Open

Frequently Asked Questions

Latest Photo (not less than 6 months)
Residence certificate issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)/District Magistrate (DM) or a copy of ration card or any other document)
For Innovator in Employment / Students with any organization / Academic
Institution, No Objection Certificate (NOC) is mandatorily required
Attach a copy of the latest Income Tax Returns filed.
Attach annexure regarding
Brief description of the idea highlighting innovative element
Science and working principle behind the idea
Final outcome/deliverable of the project
Who would be the beneficiary of this innovation and why?
Proposed costs and time frame
Activity details/work plan
AADHAR Card and PAN card copy

No, the applicants will not receive any stipend. The maximum funding support provided is up to Rs.10 lakhs. However, the local PRAYAS center Monitoring Committee decides the funding amount for their selected innovators.