NIDHI-PRAYAS: Fueling Hardware Innovations through the PRAYAS Grant

The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) is an umbrella program by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Its component, Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring technology entrepreneurs (PRAYAS), is specifically designed to support innovators in the hardware sector by providing financial assistance to convert ideas into prototypes.

What is this scheme?

NIDHI-PRAYAS is a 'Proof-of-Concept' grant that provides funding to young innovators to build prototypes of their product ideas. The program is implemented through designated PRAYAS Centres (Incubators), which provide the necessary infrastructure, fabrication labs, and mentorship to ensure that the idea has a physical form before the entrepreneur seeks large-scale investment.

Who is eligible?

• An individual innovator or a team of innovators.
• The applicant must be an Indian citizen with a valid government ID.
• The innovator must be at least 18 years of age.
• Early-stage startups with a physical product idea are eligible.
• Student innovators are eligible provided they have a mentor at a PRAYAS Centre.
• The project must be focused on hardware or physical product development (pure software projects are generally not eligible).

How much money?

A maximum grant-in-aid of up to INR 10 Lakhs is provided per project for a duration of up to 18 months.

Documents needed

1. Aadhaar Card of the applicant/team leader
2. Detailed Project Report (DPR) explaining the technical feasibility
3. Estimated budget breakdown for prototype development
4. Proof of address and academic/professional qualifications
5. Letter of support from a PRAYAS Centre (if applicable)
6. Company registration documents (if the applicant is a startup)

How to apply (step by step)

1. Visit the official NIDHI-PRAYAS portal or a designated PRAYAS Centre website.
2. Identify an Incubator (PRAYAS Centre) that aligns with your industrial domain.
3. Submit the online application form along with the prototype proposal.
4. Screening of applications by the incubator's technical committee.
5. Shortlisted candidates are invited for a presentation/pitch session.
6. Final approval and signing of the grant agreement.
7. Milestone-based fund release for prototype development.

Important dates

Conclusion

The NIDHI-PRAYAS grant acts as a bridge between a conceptual idea and a market-ready product. By mitigating the high risks associated with hardware prototyping, the DST empowers Indian innovators to 'Make in India' and contribute to the nation's technological sovereignty. If you have a hardware idea that could solve a real-world problem, NIDHI-PRAYAS is your ideal starting point.