FundingFunding opportunities up to ₹10 Lakh through ACIC-VGU schemes
Equity-free Idea AI, SaaS & Enterprise
ClosesAug 15, 2026
Cycle-based Grant Equity-free
CITIL Innovation Grant
by Chennai Institute of Technology Innovation Labs (CITIL)
The CITIL Innovation Grant supports startups, students, researchers, faculty and industry collaborators developing innovations beyond TRL 3 by providing grants of up to Rs. 2 lakh, incubation support and expert mentorship for prototype development and commercialization.
Check your readinessShare a few details and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit, documents and timelines for this scheme. Free, no obligation.
- Innovation grant up to Rs. 2 lakh.
- Supports technologies beyond TRL 3.
- Open to startups, students, faculty and researchers.
- Access to incubation and deep-tech infrastructure.
- Expert mentoring and commercialization support.
About this scheme
The CITIL Innovation Grant is an initiative of Chennai Institute of Technology Innovation Labs (CITIL) to accelerate technology innovations beyond Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3. The programme supports startups, student entrepreneurs, faculty-led innovations, researchers and industry academia collaborations working on validated proof-of-concept technologies.
Selected projects receive grant funding of up to Rs. 2 lakh along with incubation support, mentorship, technical guidance and access to deep-tech Centres of Excellence. The programme aims to help innovators transform validated concepts into functional prototypes, pilot-ready products and commercially viable technologies.
Who can apply
- Startup founders and entrepreneurs.
- Student innovators.
- Faculty-led innovation projects.
- Research teams.
- Industry-academia collaborative projects.
- Innovation should be beyond TRL 3 (TRL 4 and above).
Benefits & funding
Headline support
Innovation Grant up to Rs.2 Lakh
- Grant funding up to Rs. 2 lakh.
- Incubation support.
- Product development assistance.
- Expert technical mentoring.
- Access to Centres of Excellence.
- Commercialization guidance.
- Industry and research collaborations.
How the application process works
The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Chennai Institute of Technology Innovation Labs (CITIL), in your own name.
- 1
Complete the online application form.
- 2
Provide applicant and project details.
- 3
Select the project's Technology Readiness Level (TRL).
- 4
Submit milestone plan and budget.
- 5
Upload pitch deck or supporting documents.
- 6
Applications are evaluated by CITIL for funding and incubation support.
Want a second pair of eyes before you submit?IncorpX provides assistance for structuring proposals and organising the paperwork this process expects.
Documents checklist 6
- Project proposal
- Budget plan
- Milestone timeline
- Pitch Deck (PDF/PPT)
- Mentor details (if applicable)
- Previous grant details (if applicable)
Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.
Official application
Ready to apply? Get the official link
Applications are submitted directly with Chennai Institute of Technology Innovation Labs (CITIL), in your own name. Share a few details and we will point you to the official application portal and help you prepare a complete submission.
Here is the official application link
Apply in your own name with Chennai Institute of Technology Innovation Labs (CITIL). Want a second pair of eyes before you submit? An IncorpX advisor can help you prepare.
Open the official applicationFrequently asked questions
Who can apply for the CITIL Innovation Grant?
Startups, students, faculty members, researchers, alumni and industry collaborators developing innovations beyond TRL 3.
How much funding is available under the CITIL Innovation Grant?
Selected projects can receive innovation grants of up to ₹2 lakh.
What Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is required?
Projects should have achieved at least TRL 4 (Technology Validation in Lab).
What support is provided besides funding?
Selected innovators receive incubation support, expert mentorship, product development guidance and access to CITIL's Centres of Excellence.
Important disclaimer
IncorpX is a private platform operated by a private company. It is not a government department, agency or official portal, and it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government body or of any organisation, incubator, accelerator, investor or partner listed in this directory. All program names, logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification only.
This directory is compiled from publicly available official sources and is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Funding amounts, eligibility criteria, required documents, deadlines and availability are determined by each program authority and change with every cycle, so the details shown here may be incomplete or out of date. Always confirm the current terms on the official program source before you apply or take any decision.
IncorpX charges no fee for the information in this directory and does not collect, process, lodge or submit any application on your behalf. Applications are made by you, in your own name, directly with the respective program authority. IncorpX provides assistance only for application preparation and for related registrations such as company incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME (Udyam) and GST. Eligibility, approval, disbursement and selection rest solely with the respective program authority, and IncorpX makes no representation or guarantee as to any outcome.
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