NIdhi Prayas

National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations
Promotion and Acceleration of Young and ASpiring technology entrepreneur

NIDHI- PRAYAS Program aims at providing prototype funding to convert idea into prototype to young and aspiring innovators.

Objectives-

  • To enable translation of an innovative idea to a prototype
  • To support faster experimentation and the idea to market journey
  • To generate innovative solutions relevant to the local and global                problems
  • To attract a large number of youth who demonstrates problem                  solving zeal and abilities
  • To work on their new technology/knowledge/innovation based                  startups
  • To build a vibrant innovation ecosystem, by establishing a network            between innovators, academia, mentors and incubators

NIDHI PRAYASEES can avail the following benefits

Prototype Grant

Infrastructural Support

Mentorship

Design Innovation lab

Facilities of the Host Institute

Business Facilitation

Offerings

  • Mentoring and advisory
  • Access to dedicated/shared working space.
  • Access to design innovation labs and technology labs
  • Access to pool of mentors
  • Access to meeting rooms on booking and subject to availability.
  • Connect with investors/VCs
  • Networking opportunity with incubated start- ups
  • Access to student interns on stipend as per T&P policy of IIITD
  • Access to library services
  • Information about external events/activities\Connect with Funding agencies and investors.

Please read the Scheme Document before applying

Apply Now

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The priority areas for supporting innovations under NIDHI PRAYAS program are manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, clean-tech, energy, water and Internet of Things (IOT). However, ideas under other technology areas may be considered on merit basis.

NIDHI-PRAYAS scheme is for converting an idea into prototype for physical product. Projects related to pure Software development, Ecommerce, Service, App based solutions will not be supported under NIDHI-Prayas. However, software as one of the components of hardware product (for ex. an IoT product) can be considered for project funding for an integrated hardware prototype development.

NIDHI-PRAYAS is a Proof-of-Concept grant. Products that have passed prototype level cannot be supported under NIDHI-PRAYAS.

Please see this link https://iiitdic.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Eligibility-Broad-Terms-for-Innovators-for-website.pdf to know about the eligibility criteria for innovators or startups.

The maximum funding support provided is upto Rs.10 lakhs. However, the local PRAYAS centre Monitoring Committee decides the funding amount for their selected innovators.

No, the innovators cannot take any salary from the PRAYAS grant. The grant fund can be used only for below purposes:

  • Outsourcing Charges for R & D, Design Engg., Consultancy, Testing, Expert cost
  • Raw material, Consumables, Spares
  • Fabrication , Synthesis charges of working model or process
  • Business Travel and Event participation Fees (Ceiling 10% of approved project cost)
  • Patent filing Cost – (PCT- Ceiling 10% of approved project cost)
  • Contingency - (Ceiling 10% of approved project cost)

The PRAYAS grant CAN NOT be used for:

  • To pay the grantee or their relatives.
  • To repay pre-existing loans or commitments of the innovator.
  • To pay usage charges to the Incubator from the PRAYAS grant. Grantee can use other funds to pay any such charges, if any.
  • To pay rent of own accommodation, creation of infrastructure facility like shed etc.
  • As a stop gap arrangement to support any other professional pursuits.

The project duration is 12 months. One further extension of 6 months may be granted based on the discretion of the PC.

The selected applicant must pre-incubate or incubate with the Prayas centre upon receiving the PRAYAS grant.

They will get access to the space, access to the fab lab, technical guidance, mentorship, during their project duration.

No, the innovator/start-up can avail the PRAYAS support only one time.

No, the innovators cannot avail NIDHI PRAYAS & NIDHI EIR for the same idea.