FundingFunding opportunities up to ₹10 Lakh through ACIC-VGU schemes
Equity-free Idea AI, SaaS & Enterprise
ClosesAug 15, 2026
Closed Grant Equity-free
NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence
by Department of Science & Technology
A DST grant giving aspiring entrepreneurs a monthly stipend, mentoring, and co-working space to pursue a technology idea and lower the risk of starting up.
Check your readinessShare a few details and an IncorpX advisor will walk you through fit, documents and timelines for this scheme. Free, no obligation.
- A good fit for aspiring tech founders wanting stipend support before they incorporate.
About this scheme
The NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) programme pays a stipend to aspiring entrepreneurs so they can chase their ideas while being guided by seasoned professionals. Its purpose is to take some of the risk out of early-stage entrepreneurship and to encourage more new startups to get going. Those taking part also gain co-working space, mentoring, and financial backing, with monthly stipend support in the region of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 30,000.
Who can apply
- The applicant has to be an Indian citizen.
- On qualifications, they need either four years of formal undergraduate or postgraduate study in science or engineering, or a three-year degree or diploma backed by two years of relevant work.
- They must be set on pursuing a technology business idea full-time.
- They should be able to show they can build a scalable technology business.
- They cannot be a promoter or a significant shareholder in another company.
- They need to be registered at a participating Technology Business Incubator (TBI).
Benefits & funding
Headline support
Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 30,000
- A monthly stipend, roughly Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 30,000, to support work on the idea full-time.
- Mentoring from experienced professionals to lower the risk of the early stage.
- Co-working space and the wider support of a participating Technology Business Incubator.
How the application process works
The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Department of Science & Technology, in your own name.
- 1
An aspiring entrepreneur applies through a participating Technology Business Incubator, where the idea and the founder's fit are assessed before the EIR position is offered.
Want a second pair of eyes before you submit?IncorpX provides assistance for structuring proposals and organising the paperwork this process expects.
Official application
Ready to apply? Get the official link
Applications are submitted directly with Department of Science & Technology, 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 Department of Science & Technology. Want a second pair of eyes before you submit? An IncorpX advisor can help you prepare.
Open the official applicationFrequently asked questions
What does the NIDHI EIR programme provide?
A monthly stipend, in the region of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 30,000, plus mentoring, co-working space, and financial support to work on a technology idea full-time.
Who can apply?
Indian citizens with either four years of undergraduate or postgraduate study in science or engineering, or a three-year degree or diploma plus two years of relevant experience, who are not a promoter or major shareholder in another company.
Do I need a registered company?
No. The programme is for aspiring entrepreneurs working through a participating Technology Business Incubator, not for established companies.
Who runs the programme?
It is run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the NIDHI umbrella, delivered through participating incubators.
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.
Closing soon
FundingUp to Rs.1 Crore
Equity-free Idea Agritech & Food DPIIT
ClosesAug 16, 2026
FundingUp to Rs. 1.68 Cr
Equity-free Idea AI, SaaS & Enterprise
ClosesAug 16, 2026
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