DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0

The DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0 is a flagship initiative by Sharda Launchpad, the technology business incubator at Sharda University, supported by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. As part of DST's National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), this grant aims to foster a strong innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in India.

The program provides funding of up to ₹10,00,000 per entity to support science and technology-based solutions that address pressing rural and societal challenges. The grant is disbursed in tranches based on milestone achievements and evaluation outcomes, following DST norms. It covers prototype development, validation, and essential expenses, helping ventures move from idea or proof-of-concept (PoC) to a market-ready stage.

Beyond funding, selected participants gain access to expert mentorship, state-of-the-art prototyping and lab facilities, market validation support, pilot programs, user feedback loops, industry connections, investor introductions, and partnership opportunities. This holistic support prepares ventures for successful market entry and scaling.

• Grant up to ₹10,00,000 per entity for S&T solutions.
• Targets rural and societal challenges in India.
• Disbursed in tranches based on milestone achievements.
• Access to expert mentorship and state-of-the-art lab facilities.
• Market validation support including pilot programs and user feedback.
• Industry connections, investor introductions, and partnership opportunities.

The DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0 is open to individual innovators, student innovators, early-stage startup teams, and researchers who have a well-defined Proof of Concept (PoC) for their solution. The solution must be firmly rooted in Science & Technology and address significant rural or societal challenges in India, such as agritech, rural development, health and sanitation, women empowerment, rural livelihoods, or other social impact areas leveraging deep tech.

DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0 is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0 closed on 29 Apr 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Grants up to ₹10,00,000 for prototype development, validation, and essential expenses, disbursed based on milestones. Non-monetary support includes expert mentorship, access to state-of-the-art prototyping and lab facilities, hands-on market validation assistance, pilot programs, user feedback loops, industry connections, investor introductions, and partnership formations.

DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0 is offered by Sharda Launchpad, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Sharda Launchpad as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applicants submit proposals via the Accubate online form. Initial screening shortlists promising candidates. Shortlisted applicants undergo a rigorous evaluation and expert interaction session, including a project review, pitch presentation, and Q&A with a panel from Sharda Launchpad and DST to assess technical robustness, market potential, scalability, and feasibility.

Before you apply to DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0, 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.

DST NIDHI i-TBI Ignition Grant 2.0 is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.