SOP (Student Orientation Programme)
Grant up to ₹4L for West Bengal-based student innovators with agri-ideas.
- Funding amount
- ₹4L (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Agri Food Business Incubation Centre (AFBIC), IIT Kharagpur (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Closed (30 Jun 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Student Orientation Programme (SOP) is an initiative of the Agri-Food Business Incubation Centre (AFBIC) at IIT Kharagpur. It operates under the RKVY-RAFTAAR program of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. The programme is designed to support student innovators who are working on technology or business ideas in agriculture, food, and allied sectors.
Selected students receive a non-dilutive grant-in-aid of up to ₹4 lakh. The grant is disbursed after a selection process that includes training and performance evaluation. Besides funding, SOP offers technical and business mentoring, and access to networking opportunities through IIT Kharagpur's Agricultural and Food Engineering department and AFBIC's agripreneur ecosystem.
The programme is open to student founders from West Bengal or ventures originating from West Bengal. No equity is taken. Applications for Cohort 3.0 close on 30 May 2026.
Highlights
- Up to ₹4 lakh non-dilutive grant-in-aid for student agri-food innovators.
- Run by AFBIC, IIT Kharagpur under the central RKVY-RAFTAAR program.
- Open to West Bengal-based student founders or ventures originating from West Bengal.
- No equity taken—pure grant support.
- Includes technical mentoring, business mentoring, and ecosystem networking.
- Applications for Cohort 3.0 close on 30 May 2026.
Who can apply
The programme is open to student innovators—individuals or teams—who have a technology or business idea in agriculture, food, or allied sectors. Either the student founder must be a resident of West Bengal, or the idea/venture must have its origin in West Bengal. There is no requirement for a registered company at the time of application.
SOP (Student Orientation Programme) is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for SOP (Student Orientation Programme) closed on 30 Jun 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Selected students receive up to ₹4 lakh as grant-in-aid, which is non-dilutive, meaning AFBIC does not take equity. In addition to funding, they gain access to technical and business mentoring, and networking opportunities within the IIT Kharagpur faculty network and AFBIC's agripreneur ecosystem.
About the provider
SOP (Student Orientation Programme) is offered by Agri Food Business Incubation Centre (AFBIC), IIT Kharagpur, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Agri Food Business Incubation Centre (AFBIC), IIT Kharagpur as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Interested applicants submit the AFBIC Cohort 3.0 application form before 30 May 2026. AFBIC then conducts an initial screening to check eligibility and fit for the SOP track. Shortlisted candidates undergo training followed by a performance evaluation process. Based on evaluation outcomes, the AFBIC committee makes final recommendations for the disbursement of the grant-in-aid.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to SOP (Student Orientation Programme), 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.
Who this is best for
SOP (Student Orientation Programme) is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹4L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for SOP?
Student innovators—individuals or teams—with a technology or business idea in agriculture, food, or allied sectors. The applicant must be from West Bengal or the idea must originate from West Bengal.
How much funding is offered?
Up to ₹4 lakh as a grant-in-aid. This is a non-dilutive grant, so AFBIC does not take any equity.
When is the application deadline?
Applications for Cohort 3.0 close on 30 May 2026.
Do I need to register a company to apply?
No, registration is not required at the application stage. The programme is open to individual students and teams.
What support is provided besides funding?
Selected students receive technical and business mentoring, and are connected with networking opportunities through AFBIC and IIT Kharagpur's Agricultural and Food Engineering department.
How are grants disbursed?
Grants are disbursed after the selection, training, and performance evaluation process is completed, based on the recommendation of the AFBIC committee.
What is the typical stage of ideas accepted?
Ideas can be at the early-stage or prototype level; the programme is designed for student innovators and does not require a mature product.
How do I apply?
You need to submit the AFBIC Cohort 3.0 application form available via the provided Google Form link before the deadline.
Does SOP (Student Orientation Programme) take equity?
No. SOP (Student Orientation Programme) is grant and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.
Is DPIIT recognition required for SOP (Student Orientation Programme)?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for SOP (Student Orientation Programme), though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers SOP (Student Orientation Programme)?
SOP (Student Orientation Programme) is offered by Agri Food Business Incubation Centre (AFBIC), IIT Kharagpur, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
More funding from Agri Food Business Incubation Centre (AFBIC), IIT Kharagpur
Agri Food Business Incubation Centre (AFBIC), IIT Kharagpur runs 2 other programs listed on startupfunds — compare them before you decide where to apply.
Alternatives to SOP (Student Orientation Programme)
Not sure SOP (Student Orientation Programme) is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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