AI for Transformative Social Impact Grant — Up to ₹50L from RAFT — Frequently Asked Questions

Organisations can apply for a grant of up to ₹50 lakh from the Rao Family Trust. The money is non-repayable — it is not a loan and no equity is taken in return. Projects that show strong long-term potential may also be considered for multi-year support instead of a single round of funding.

Nonprofits, Section 8 companies, and Private Limited Companies working in India can all apply. The one caveat applies to Private Limited Companies: they must be working in partnership with a nonprofit that will deploy the AI solution, and the roles and responsibilities of each partner need to be clearly defined. Organisations from across India are welcome, and solutions operating in Maharashtra are especially encouraged.

An AI-native solution is one where artificial intelligence is fundamental to how the intervention works and produces its social outcomes. It is not an additional feature bolted onto an existing programme. Typically this means the AI is doing work that would be difficult or impossible through conventional methods — analysing complex data, providing personalised recommendations, or automating analysis at scale.

A Private Limited Company can apply, but only alongside a nonprofit partner that will deploy the AI solution on the ground. The partnership must have clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Nonprofits and Section 8 companies do not need such a partner.

The programme is deliberately broad. Solutions have been invited in areas including agriculture, conservation, disability inclusion, healthcare, frontline worker decision support, social services, and community development. The decisive factor is not the sector but whether the proposal demonstrates significant and measurable social impact.

No. This is a grant, so the funding is non-repayable and the Rao Family Trust does not take an equity stake or ownership in your organisation in exchange for it.

Proposals that are limited to training people on public generative AI tools are out of scope, and so are proposals built around general everyday AI productivity applications. The programme is looking for AI that is central to delivering social outcomes, not AI used purely as a workplace efficiency tool.

A complete proposal should cover: the social problem being addressed and why AI is the most appropriate solution for it; the specific AI approach, including the models, techniques or services used; your data sources, data quality, governance and privacy safeguards; clearly defined expected outcomes and the metrics you will use to measure impact; and a detailed deployment strategy, adoption plan, and long-term sustainability plan.

Put together your full proposal and email it to contact@raft.org.in. The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2026, so it is worth preparing the data governance, impact measurement, and sustainability sections well in advance, since those are the areas the selection committee probes most closely.

Every proposal goes through initial screening, where the committee checks eligibility and how well the idea fits the programme's AI-native social impact focus. Shortlisted organisations may then be invited to further discussions, presentations, or interviews to expand on their solution, team capabilities, and impact measurement approach. Final selections rest on transformative potential, scalability, measurability, responsible AI considerations, and overall feasibility.

The application deadline for AI for Transformative Social Impact Grant — Up to ₹50L from RAFT is Closes in 14d (30 Sept 2026). Deadlines can be revised, so reconfirm on the official source before applying.

No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for AI for Transformative Social Impact Grant — Up to ₹50L from RAFT, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.

AI for Transformative Social Impact Grant — Up to ₹50L from RAFT is offered by Rao Family Trust (RAFT). It is provided as non-dilutive funding.

Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.