R&D Pilot Funding
Government of India is making all out efforts to promote R&D in STEM projects across different departments and its agencies. A comprehensive primer with collection of various funding opportunities is presented here. Some of the schemes are ongoing and while some are window based. DoT, MeitY, DST, DPIIT, inter alia, have several schemes for Startups / MSMEs to fund R&D, Pilots in Digicom technology products.
There are several private funding agencies and VCs in the ICT sector who may be tapped for large and angel funding needs.
List of open proposals – R&D scheme (application window open from 1st October to 31st December 2022)
Key Resources
List of Public funding opportunities
| Scheme/Mission | Department | Organization | Summary | Details | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) | NITI AAYOG | NITI AAYOG | Umbrella structure that works through programmes/policies/collaborative platforms across sectors | Click here | – |
| Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF)- (last date as 12/02/2023) | Telecommunications | USOF | Aims to fund R&D in rural-specific communication technology applications and form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem. (Last date as 12/02/2023) | Click here | |
| Technology Frontiers, PM STIAC & AGNIi | PSA OFFICE | PSA OFFICE | Caters to specific strategic inititiative | Click here | – |
| Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) | Department of Space | Department of Space | Caters to specific strategic inititiative | Click here | – |
| Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) | Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) | Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) | Caters to specific strategic inititiative | Click here | – |
| Bilateral Collaborative Industrial R&D Programme | Department of Science & Technology | SERB, TDB, GITA | International Cooperation in S&T&I through – bilateral cooperation (83 countries), multilateral & regional cooperation; and thematic cooperation. A few important bilateral agreement with Australia, Canada, EU, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Russia, UK and USA, African countries. Soft prowess of S&T emphasized under India’s Act East policy. | Click here | R&I |
| Mission Innovation | Department of Science & Technology | SERB, TDB, GITA | A global initiative to catalyze action/investment in R&D and demonstration to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible. Help achieve Paris Agreement goals and pathways to net zero. | Click here | R&I |
| Project Finance for Technology Commericlisation | Department of Science & Technology | SERB, TDB, GITA | Mandate of TDP is to convert proof-of-concepts for technologies/products into advance prototypes for validation and demonstration in actual field settings. Proposals have been invited from Indian companies with indigenous technologies at commercialisation stage in semiconductor & sensor domain focusing on semiconductor fabrication, display fabrication, designing for integrated circuits (ICs), chipsets, system on chips (SoCs) | Click here | R&I |
| High Risk High Rewards (HRHR) | Department of Science & Technology | SERB, TDB, GITA | S&E Research Board launched two schemes “Industry Relevant R&D (IRRD)” and “High Risk – High Reward (HRHR)”. IRRD caters to joint proposal from Academia and Industry to solve industry problems – outcomes to bring new scientific/ technological innovations and aid technology transfer and commercialization. HRHR scheme aims at supporting proposals that are new, bold (not incremental), challenge existing hypothesis, and provide ‘out of box’ thinking. Must promise of high reward. | Click here | R&I |
| DST-NIDHI’s PRAYAS | Department of Science & Technology | SERB, TDB, GITA | DST-NIDHI’s PRAYAS [Promoting and Accelerating Young and ASpiring technology entrepreneurs (PRAYAS)] – supports young innovators turn their ideas into PoC. NIDHI-PRAYAS is a pre-incubation initiative through selected incubators. Every year 10 S&T Entrepreneurship Parks / Incubators shall be selected to host PRAYAS Centre (PCs) for 5 years. Support to innovators – Grant upto INR 10 lakhs – access to lab infrastructure, working space, mentorship as per PC policy (duration:18 months) | Click here | R&I |
| Industrial R&D Promotion Programme (IRDPP) | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | The objectives of this scheme are to Bring in-house R&D into sharper focus; Strengthen R&D infrastructure in industry and SIROs; Promote R&D initiatives of the industry and SIROs; Ensure that the contributions made by the in-house R&D centres and SIROs dovetail adequately in the overall context of technological & industrial development. There are four sub Scheme under it, which are : 1. Recognition of in-house R&D Units (RDI) 2. Scientific and Industrial Research Organizations (SIRO) 3. Public Funded Research Institutions (PFRI) 4. Fiscal Incentives for Scientific Research (FI). The applicant should be a company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 or 2013. The company shall be eligible for consideration only after the completion of three financial years after formation. | Click here | |
| Industrial R&D Programme (IRD) | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | Supporting the organization of national and international conferences, exhibitions etc. (A2K+ Events); Supporting industrial technology related studies (A2K+ Studies); Support for Technology Development and Utlization Programme for Women (TDUPW) ; Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDHs) ; Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development (PACE) [05 JAN 2021] Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM) | Click here | |
| Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups & MSMEs (PRISM) | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | The scheme provides grants, technical guidance and mentoring to individual innovators by incubating their idea towards the creation of new enterprises in phases. It also provides grant-in-aid support to technology solution providers developing technology solutions aimed at helping MSME cluster. For PRISM I, any Indian citizen including student innovators can apply. For PRISM II, PRISM innovators or innovators who have successfully demonstrated proof of concept with the support of government institution/agency, PRISM-R&D proposals and public funded – R&D institutes/ autonomous institutions/ laboratories/ academic institutes etc. are eligible. Upto 1 crore (refer to details) | Click here | |
| Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDHs) | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | The scheme is part of DSIR-Industrial R&D Programme (IRD). This programme aimed at creation of Common Research and Technology Development Hubs (CRTDHs) to encourage research and technology development activities by MSEs. The Applicant Host Organization should be from National laboratories, Public funded bodies or Institutions having a distinct legal entity, which are willing and capable of setting up these CRTDHs in places located in the proximity of clusters of MSEs working in the targeted sector. | Click here | |
| Patent Acquisition & Collaborative Research & Technology Development | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | Department of Scientific & Industrial Research | The scheme is part of DSIR-Industrial R&D Programme (IRD).The PACE scheme provides catalytic support to industries and institutions for development and demonstration of innovative product and process technologies, traversing the journey from proof of concept or laboratory stage to pilot stage, so that they can be launched for commercialization. All industries registered in India, having a healthy financial track record or a promising financial health forecast, preferably those having DSIR recognized in-house R&D units; and also for R&D organizations/ academic institutions/ universities. | Click here | |
| Bilateral Collaborative Industrial R&D Programme | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Biotechnology sector | Click here | Biotech |
| BioNEST Programme | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Biotechnology sector | Click here | Biotech |
| Grand Challenges India | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Biotechnology sector | Click here | Biotech |
| Product Commercialization Program Fund (PCP Fund) | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Biotechnology sector | Click here | Biotech |
| Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) Scheme | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Department of Bio Technology (DBT) | Biotechnology sector | Click here | Biotech |
| MAKE I & II | Department of Defence Production (DDP) | Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) | ‘Make’ category of capital acquisition in Defence Procurement Procedure is a vital pillar for realising the vision behind the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government, by fostering indigenous capabilities through design & development of required defence equipment/product/systems or upgrades/ sub-systems/components /parts by both public and private sector industry/organization in a faster time frame. There are two sub- categories of ‘Make’ Procedure: ‘Make-I’ (Government Funded): Projects under ‘Make-I’ sub-category will involve Government funding of 90%, released in a phased manner and based on the progress of the scheme, as per terms agreed between MoD and the vendor. ‘Make-II’ (Industry Funded): Projects under ‘Make-II’ category will involve prototype development of equipment/system/ platform or their upgrades or their sub-systems/ sub-assembly/assemblies/components, primarily for import substitution/innovative solutions, for which no Government funding will be provided for prototype development purposes. | Click here | |
| IDEX | Department of Defence Production (DDP) | Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) | The iDEX initiative was launched by the Hon’ble PM in April 2018. iDEX aims to achieve self – reliance and foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia. iDEX has partnered with leading incubators in the country to provide handholding, technical support and guidance to the winners of iDEX challenges. | Click here | |
| Technology Development Fund (TDF) | Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) | Invest India | Creating an ecosystem for promoting self-reliance by building indigenous state-of-the-art systems for defence application. Promoting Self-Reliance In Defence Technology (Established to promote self- reliance in Defence Technology as a part of the Make in India initiative). Programme of MoD (Ministry of Defence) executed by DRDO, meeting the requirements of Tri- Services, Defence Production and DRDO. Boost to MSME’s and startups. Boost To MSMEs And Startups – Encourages participation of public/private industries especially MSMEs and Startups so as to create an ecosystem for enhancing cutting-edge technology capabilities for defence application. With 10 Crores FundingWith 10 Crores Funding -to be covered through provision of grants-in-aid to the industry. Project cost of upto INR 10 Cr will be considered for funding, subject to a maximum of 90% of the total project cost. Duration/Timeline: 2 YearsDuration/Timeline: Limited to the development of technologies or prototype of product having potential use for the Services with a typical development period of two years. | Click here | |
| Dare to Dream | Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) | Invest India | DRDO is a Government agency responsible for conducting research and development for the Indian military. Their technologies have been adopted by the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force as they work together to ensure the safety and security of our nation. One way they promote R&D is through their Technology Development Fund (TDF), which is focused on supporting MSMEs, or Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the development of indigenous technologies, another was the Dare to Dream Innovation Contest, a competition intended to scout for technologies from individuals, researchers and startups. Dare to Dream is a scheme to promote individuals and startups for innovations in Defence & Aerospace. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) provides a unique opportunity for start-ups and innovators to solve some key challenges in emerging technologies that can help boost India’s defence & aerospace capabilities. | Click here | |
| IMPRINT | Department of Higher Education | University Grants Commission | IMPRINT is the first of its kind MHRD supported Pan-IIT + IISc joint initiative to address the major science and engineering challenges that India must address and champion to enable, empower and embolden the nation for inclusive growth and self-reliance. | Click here | Higher Education |
| UAY (Ucchatar Avishkar Yojana) | Department of Higher Education | University Grants Commission | The programme was designed with the objective to promote innovation in areas that are directly of relevance to the manufacturing and design industry. It further helps in spurring innovative mindset in the students and faculty in premier technological institutes. | Click here | Higher Education |
| Research Parks | Department of Higher Education | University Grants Commission | Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Ministry of Education (MoE) has jointly taken an initiative for promoting establishment of Research Parks/Technology Business Incubators /Startup Centres. In this regard, National Expert Advisory Committee (NEAC) has approved 13 Startup Centres, 16 Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) and 6 Research Parks under Startup India scheme. | Click here | Higher Education |
| SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0 | Department of Heavy Industry | Department of Heavy Industry | SAMARTH Udyog encompasses manufacturers, vendors and customers as the main stakeholders. The experiential and demonstration centres for Industry 4.0 have been proposed to spread awareness about I4.0 amongst the Indian manufacturing industries. Five centres have been sanctioned under SAMARTH Udyog for the Enhancement of Competitiveness in Indian Capital Goods Sector. | Click here | Automation |
| R & D Technology Innovation Platform | Department of Heavy Industry | Department of Heavy Industry | Intended to develop web based open manufacturing technology innovation platforms under the ongoing Capital Goods Scheme and bring together all India’s technical resources and the concerned Industry.It shall facilitate start-ups and angel funding of India innovations to develop key ‘mother’ manufacturing technologies’ indigenously through ‘Grand Challenges’. | Click here | Automation |
| Scheme on Enhancement of Competitivene ss in the Indian Capital Goods Sector_x0002_Phase-II | Department of Heavy Industry | Department of Heavy Industry | Intended to boost the Indian economy by making the Indian capital goods sector globally competitive. | Click here | Automation |
| Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) | Department Of Industrial Policy & Promotion | Start-up India | It envisages building a robust Start-up ecosystem in the country for nurturing innovation and providing opportunities to budding entrepreneurs. | Click here | Automation |
| TIDE | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology | MeitY Startup Hub | TIDE 2.0 will promote tech entrepreneurship through financial and technical support to incubators engaged in supporting ICT startups primarily engaged in using emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, Block-chain, Robotics etc. in pre-identified areas of societal relevance. | Click here | Electronics |
| Startup Accelerator Programmes | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology | MeitY Startup Hub | The accelerator program provides startups with a platform to enhance their products and secure investments for scaling their business. | Click here | Electronics |
| Grand Challenges | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology | MeitY Startup Hub | – | Click here | Electronics |
| SIP-EIT | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology | MeitY Startup Hub | It provide financial support to MSMEs and Technology Startup units for international patent filing to encourage innovation and recognize the value and capabilities of global IP along with capturing growth opportunities in ICTE sector. | Click here | Electronics |
| R&D Funding Scheme | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology | MeitY Startup Hub | Click here | Electronics | |
| Hackhathon | Department of Telecommunications | Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE) India | Aimed at shortlisting India focused cutting edge ideas that can be converted into workable 5G products and solutions. | Click here | Telecom |
| Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS) | Department of Telecommunications | Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE) India | GoI announced flagship initiative of Startup India to catalyze startup culture and build a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India. Digital Communication Innovation Square (DCIS) is an initiative under Champion Services Sector Scheme (CSSS) to proliferate Startups India programme in Digital Communications Technologies. | Click here | Telecom |
| Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development (RE-RTD) | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy | Intended to promote R&D, innovation, and manufacturing in area related to renewable energy. | Click here | Energy |
| International Collaboration Research Projects in Health Research | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) | Click here | Healthcare | |
| Extramural Research Programme | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) | The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) provides financial assistance to promote research work in the fields of medicine, public health and allied areas under its Extramural Research Programme. | Click here | Healthcare |
| Schemes for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) | Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises | Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises | “Various Schemes for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)” | Click here |
List of Private investment players
Importance of Public Funding
Tax incentives and public funding/subsidies are a few very potent ways to stimulate innovations and research & development towards creation of indigenous manufacturing eco-system in emerging telecommunications technologies. This is also able to address market shortfall in meeting the R&D expenditure above the social optimum. Academic findings confirm the importance of public funding as it helps companies to integrate their internal expertise with external information sources generated through external R&D expenditure.
5G HLF, inter-alia, had suggested that in addition to issuing invitation for 5G trials, the government need to make significant follow-up efforts to ensure successful trials that advance India’s 5G progress. For instance – constitution of a Trials Oversight Committee for each of the major trial with representatives from the OEM, lead TSP and related entities.
Taking this 5G HLF recommendation one step ahead, the Startups-MSMEs Action Plan has proposed 4 components in Technology Trials and PoC arena:
- Pilots and Trials – for integrated / individual solution in a small scale (<10 crore);
- Consortium programs to develop commercial grade new technologies;
- Overseas capability demonstration and market access;
- PoC in lieu of deployment experience