DSIR - Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM)

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) runs the PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs) scheme. The programme is designed to help individual innovators and organisations develop new technologies and bring them to practical use. It provides financial support for translating innovative ideas into working prototypes, models, or processes. PRISM also offers funds for enterprise creation. A separate component of the scheme supports research institutions that build technology solutions for MSME clusters. The scheme is structured in multiple phases and includes an R&D proposals track.

PRISM Phase-I is aimed at individual innovators who have an idea but need help to prove it works. Phase-II supports innovators who have already built a successful proof of concept and want to incubate and launch a business. The R&D track funds institutes and laboratories to solve problems faced by MSME clusters. Overall, PRISM encourages grassroots innovation and helps bridge the gap between a concept and a commercial product.

• Grants between ₹2 lakh and ₹50 lakh for individual innovators, startups, and MSMEs.
• Two-phase structure: Phase-I for proof-of-concept and working models; Phase-II for enterprise incubation.
• Separate R&D track for institutions developing solutions for MSME clusters.
• No equity dilution — pure grant funding.
• Open to any Indian citizen with an innovative idea (Phase-I).

Eligibility depends on the specific track within PRISM:

PRISM Phase-I: Any Indian citizen with an innovative idea can apply. There are two categories:

• Category-I: Support for proof of concept, prototype, or model (up to ₹2 lakh or 90% of project cost).
• Category-II: Support for fabrication of a working model, process know-how, testing, patenting, or technology transfer (up to ₹20 lakh or 90% of project cost).

PRISM Phase-II (Enterprise Incubation): Open to successful PRISM innovators or anyone who has already demonstrated a proof of concept. Funding is up to ₹50 lakh, limited to 50% of total project cost.

PRISM-R&D Proposals: Open to R&D institutes, autonomous institutions, public-funded laboratories, and academic institutes. These entities can apply for up to ₹50 lakh (limited to 50% of project cost) to develop technology solutions that address the needs of MSME clusters.

DSIR - Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM) is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

DSIR - Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM) accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

The programme offers grants that cover a significant portion of project costs. In Phase-I, the grant can be up to 90% of the project cost (₹2 lakh for Category-I, ₹20 lakh for Category-II). In Phase-II and R&D proposals, the grant is up to 50% of the project cost (₹50 lakh maximum for each). The funding is non-dilutive — no equity is taken in return. Successful applicants also gain validation for their innovation and can use the prototype or process as a stepping stone to commercialisation or enterprise creation.

DSIR - Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM) is offered by DSIR, a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Details of the selection process are not specified in the available information.

Before you apply to DSIR - Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM), keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

DSIR - Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM) is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹2L – ₹50L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.