MGUIF Big Idea Competition 2.0 - Idea Grant

Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA 2.0) has launched the Idea Grant scheme to provide financial aid to innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups, helping them turn innovative ideas into full-fledged ventures. The scheme is implemented through MGU Innovation Foundation (MGUIF), the parent organization of Mahatma Gandhi University responsible for startup-related activities.

The Idea Grant is designed to assist innovators and startups in developing prototypes or products and scaling up. The total grant amount is up to ₹2 lakhs.

The competition covers categories including AI and Internet of Thinking (IoT), Sustainable Technologies, Environmental Science, Healthcare, Food, Nutrition and Value Addition, Biotechnology, Nano Science, Tourism, and any other relevant areas.

Key benefits for innovators include 36-month incubation at MGUIF, patent registration and financial support, seed funding and investor connect, and expert mentorship.

• Grant of up to ₹2 lakhs provided by RUSA 2.0 through MGU Innovation Foundation.
• 36-month incubation at MGUIF along with patent support, seed funding, and mentorship.
• Open to students, faculty, and general innovators based in Kerala (students outside Kerala eligible with disbursement through Kerala Startup Mission IEDCs).
• Categories include AI, IoT, Sustainable Technologies, Healthcare, Biotechnology, Tourism, and more.
• No application fee; selection via pitch event and expert committee evaluation.
• Not open to service projects, outsourced development, or previous recipients for same idea.

The Idea Grant is open to Student/Faculty/Any Innovator at the Ideation, Conceptualization & Designing Stage, Proof of Concept Stage to the Minimum Viable Prototype Development stage.

For Idea Grant (Student/Faculty Innovator): Innovators should be based in the region of Kerala. Open to all students and faculty of MGU affiliated colleges. Those who were associated with MG University two years before also can apply. Student innovators at stages of Ideation, Conceptualization & Designing Stage, Proof of Concept Stage only can apply. Company registration is not mandatory during the application phase. Any student innovator based in or out of Kerala could apply, but fund disbursement will be through Kerala Startup Mission sanctioned IEDCs.

For Idea Grant (General Public/Any Inventors): Innovators at stages of Ideation, Conceptualization & Designing Stage, Proof of Concept Stage only can apply. Individuals, Partnership, Proprietor, Company, LLP, One Person Company (OPC) can apply.

Not eligible: No service projects or asset creation will be funded. No outsourcing of entire product development activities or any major milestone in outsourcing, purchase of self-services, and utilization of the grant for CSR activities will be considered. Any of the directors holding more than 20% stake and who has already received any grant from MGUIF for their other companies. Those who have availed Idea Grant before for the same team/same product/same idea will not be eligible.

MGUIF Big Idea Competition 2.0 - Idea Grant is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for MGUIF Big Idea Competition 2.0 - Idea Grant closed on 29 Nov 2025. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

The funding is a grant of up to ₹2 lakhs. Recipients also receive:

• 36-Month Incubation at MGUIF
• Patent Registration & Financial Support
• Seed Funding & Investor Connect
• Expert Mentorship

MGUIF Big Idea Competition 2.0 - Idea Grant is offered by MGU Innovation Foundation, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by MGU Innovation Foundation as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are first scrutinized by MGUIF officials. Shortlisting is based on the information provided in the application form. If the number of applications is very high, a pre-evaluation by a panel of experts is conducted. Shortlisted applicants make their final pitch before an Expert Committee Panel during the Big Idea event. Evaluation is based on the pitch, execution plan, and a rubric focusing on Team, Product Innovation, Marketing, Financials, and Idea grant utilization plan. The Expert Committee Panel recommends the type of support and the grant amount (up to ₹2 lakhs) based on the fund utilization plan and may recommend milestones. Recommendations are submitted to the Chairman, MGUIF for approval. Sanctioned innovators are notified via email and the list is updated on the website. Only completed applications are considered. Application fee is nil.

Before you apply to MGUIF Big Idea Competition 2.0 - Idea Grant, 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.

MGUIF Big Idea Competition 2.0 - Idea Grant is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹2L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.