NIDHI-PRAYAS: Fueling Hardware Start-ups with Grants of Up to ₹10 Lakhs
Discover how the NIDHI-PRAYAS scheme provides hardware entrepreneurs with up to ₹10 lakhs in funding and fabrication support to turn ideas into prototypes.
The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) through its Promoting and Accelerating Young and ASPiring innovators & startups (PRAYAS) program addresses a critical gap in the Indian startup ecosystem: prototype funding. For hardware innovators, the journey from a concept to a tangible prototype is often stalled by lack of capital. NIDHI-PRAYAS acts as a bridge, offering financial and technical support to convert innovative ideas into proof-of-concept (PoC) models.
What is this scheme?
NIDHI-PRAYAS is a flagship pre-incubation program supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It specifically targets individual innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs in the hardware sector. The program provides a grant-in-aid to develop prototypes, alongside access to PRAYAS Centers which are equipped with advanced fabrication laboratories (Fab Labs). This reduces the financial burden on innovators before they seek large-scale commercial investment.
Who is eligible?
- The applicant must be an individual innovator or a founder of a start-up.
- The start-up should not be older than the duration specified in the latest notification (verify on official portal).
- Individual innovators must be Indian citizens.
- The innovation must be a physical product (hardware-based).
- Student innovators must be mentored by a faculty member.
- The innovator must be willing to work under the guidance of a PRAYAS Center (Host Institute).
How much money?
A grant-in-aid of up to ₹10 Lakhs per project for prototype development.
Documents needed
- Aadhar Card / Identity Proof
- Proof of Indian Citizenship
- Detailed Project Report (DPR)
- Expected Timeline and Milestone Chart
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Letter of recommendation or NOC from the academic institution (for students)
How to apply (step by step)
- Identify and contact a recognized NIDHI-PRAYAS Center (Incubator).
- Submit the application form along with the prototype proposal during an active call for applications.
- Undergo a preliminary screening by the PRAYAS Center’s committee.
- Present the innovation to a Project Management Committee (PMC) for technical and commercial evaluation.
- If selected, sign an agreement with the Host Institute.
- Utilize the funds in milestones to develop the physical prototype at the Fab Lab.
- Final submission of the prototype and technical report.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Cycles | Occur periodically; verify current active calls on the DST or individual PRAYAS Center portals. |
| Program Duration | Typically 12 to 18 months for prototype completion. |
Conclusion
NIDHI-PRAYAS is a game-changer for 'Make in India' enthusiasts, providing the much-needed 'proof-of-concept' funding that traditional banks often avoid. By lowering the entry barrier for hardware innovation, the scheme empowers young Indian minds to solve real-world problems through engineering and design. If you have a hardware idea that could solve a significant challenge, applying for the PRAYAS grant is your first step toward building a successful manufacturing startup.
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