NIDHI-PRAYAS: A Catalyst for Hardware Product Development and Prototyping in India
Unlock up to ₹10 Lakhs with the NIDHI-PRAYAS grant. Learn about eligibility, documents, and how to turn your hardware idea into a working prototype via DST.
The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) through its Promoting and Accelerating Young and ASPiring innovators & startups (PRAYAS) program addresses the 'valley of death' in product development. This grant is specifically designed to support young innovators who have a proof of concept but lack the financial resources to convert their ideas into functional hardware prototypes.
What is this scheme?
NIDHI-PRAYAS is a pre-incubation initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It provides financial support to individual innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs to build prototypes of their physical products. This grant focuses on hardware innovation across sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and agriculture, helping bridge the gap between an idea and a market-ready MVP.
Who is eligible?
- The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- Individuals must be at least 18 years of age.
- A startup company must have a physical product/hardware focus (Deep-tech/Engineering startups).
- Student innovators are eligible provided they have a faculty mentor.
- The applicant should not have previously received a PRAYAS grant for the same idea.
- Innovators must be incubated or willing to be incubated at a PRAYAS Centre (PC).
How much money?
Grant-in-aid of up to ₹10 Lakhs per project for prototype development.
Documents needed
- Aadhaar card of the primary innovator.
- Proof of age (Birth certificate or class 10 certificate).
- Detailed Project Report (DPR) explaining the technical feasibility and commercial potential.
- Quotation for equipment and raw materials required for the prototype.
- Intellectual Property (IP) status or filing details, if any.
- Start-up recognition certificate by DPIIT (if applicable).
How to apply (step by step)
- Identify and choose a DST-authorized PRAYAS Centre (PC) nearest to your location.
- Wait for the call for applications issued by the specific PRAYAS Centre on their official website.
- Submit the project proposal highlighting the problem statement, proposed solution, and innovation.
- Attend the personal interview or pitch session before the Monitoring Committee.
- Upon selection, sign the agreement and open a dedicated bank account for the grant.
- Complete the prototype development within 12 to 18 months under the guidance of the PC.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Cycle | Varies by PRAYAS Centre; typically occurs twice a year. |
| Project Duration | Maximum of 18 months from the date of first installment. |
Conclusion
NIDHI-PRAYAS is a game-changer for India's hardware ecosystem, empowering innovators to take risks without the immediate burden of equity or loan repayment. By providing both funding and access to high-end labs, it ensures that 'Make in India' begins at the prototype stage. Aspiring hardware founders should closely track DST-supported incubators to apply during active calls.
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