NUZEN Agri-Startup Grant for Student Innovators , NaaViC (ICAR-NIVEDI)

• Student innovators developing agritech or veterinary health solutions at idea or product stage.

About this scheme

The NUZEN Programme is a grant-in-aid initiative by NaaViC, the startup and innovation support arm of ICAR-NIVEDI (National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics), a premier research institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The programme is designed specifically for aspiring student entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in agriculture and allied sectors, providing financial and mentorship support to take concepts from the idea stage to a working prototype.

Selected participants receive a grant-in-aid of up to Rs. 4 lakh to fund prototype development and early-stage validation. The programme reflects ICAR-NIVEDI's mandate to translate veterinary and agricultural research into real-world entrepreneurial applications, making it a strong fit for students working on innovations in animal health, veterinary diagnostics, agritech, and allied agricultural domains, though the programme is open to broader agri-innovation ideas.

NaaViC provides participants with entrepreneurial support throughout the programme, mentorship, access to ICAR-NIVEDI's research infrastructure, and guidance from scientists and domain experts embedded in India's agricultural research ecosystem. This institutional backing from a central government research body gives student grantees both credibility and access to technical knowledge that is difficult to obtain at an early stage outside academic or government institutions.

For student founders with agri-innovation ideas who are at the ideation or early prototype stage, NUZEN offers a rare combination of non-dilutive grant funding and direct access to ICAR's scientific network, particularly valuable for innovations that require domain-specific validation or technical guidance rooted in agricultural science.

Who can apply

• Open to aspiring student entrepreneurs from recognised academic institutions
• Must be working on an agri-innovation idea at the idea to prototype stage
• Focus on agriculture and allied sectors; veterinary, animal health, and agritech solutions particularly encouraged given ICAR-NIVEDI's mandate
• No revenue or prior incorporation required

Benefits & funding

• Selected student entrepreneurs receive a grant-in-aid of up to Rs.
• 4 lakh for prototype development and early-stage validation.
• The grant is non-dilutive.
• Participants also receive mentorship and entrepreneurial support from NaaViC and access to ICAR-NIVEDI's research and scientific ecosystem.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with NaaViC, ICAR-NIVEDI, in your own name.

1. 1

   Applications submitted via Google Form are reviewed by the NaaViC (ICAR-NIVEDI) team for innovation quality, agri-sector relevance, and current development stage.

2. 2

   Shortlisted applicants may be invited for further evaluation.

3. 3

   Selected innovators receive grant support to develop their agri-startup idea toward a viable prototype or product.

Frequently asked questions