Government Scheme

NIDHI PRAYAS 2.0 - Prototype Development Grant for Technology Innovators

National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI PRAYAS 2.0)

Prototype Development Grant

Maximum Grant

10 Lakh

Prototype Development

Women Participation

22%

Women Innovators

Innovators Supported

2,408+

Across India

Coverage

26 States

States & UTs

About NIDHI PRAYAS 2.0

NIDHI PRAYAS 2.0 is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, designed to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and commercially viable products by supporting prototype development for technology-based startups and innovators.

The programme provides financial assistance, expert mentoring, laboratory infrastructure, prototype development facilities, intellectual property guidance and business incubation support through PRAYAS Centres (PCs) and Advance PRAYAS Centres (APCs) located across India.

NIDHI PRAYAS 2.0 focuses on helping innovators validate their ideas, build functional prototypes, perform technical testing, and prepare innovations for commercialization. It especially encourages deep-tech, indigenous technologies and solutions aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

The scheme supports innovators working in sectors like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Medical Devices, Climate Technology, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Quantum Computing, Defence Technologies, Space Technologies and other emerging technology domains.

Key Features

Prototype Development Grant

Financial assistance of up to 10 lakh is provided to innovators for transforming ideas into functional prototypes, validating concepts, and preparing technologies for commercialization.

PRAYAS Centres Across India

Selected incubators operate as PRAYAS Centres (PCs) and Advance PRAYAS Centres (APCs), providing infrastructure, mentoring, laboratory facilities, and technical guidance.

Deep-Tech Innovation Support

Special focus is given to Deep-Tech innovations including Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Space Technologies, Medical Devices, Hardware AI, Defence Technologies and Climate Technologies.

Mentorship & Expert Guidance

Every selected innovator receives continuous mentoring from industry experts, researchers, startup founders, investors, and technical specialists throughout the prototype development journey.

Access to Infrastructure

Innovators receive access to maker labs, fabrication facilities, testing equipment, design tools, IP support, and incubation infrastructure through approved PRAYAS Centres.

Commercialization Readiness

The programme prepares innovators for market validation, startup formation, investor readiness, and commercialization after successful prototype development.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility Rule 1

Applicant must be an Indian Citizen.

Eligibility Rule 2

Individual innovators, startups, Proprietorships, Partnership Firms, LLPs and Private Limited Companies are eligible.

Eligibility Rule 3

The innovation should involve a technology-based product or solution with clear commercialization potential.

Eligibility Rule 4

Applicants should possess a novel idea that requires prototype development and validation.

Eligibility Rule 5

Projects involving Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture, IoT, Clean Technology, Energy, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Defence Technologies and other emerging technologies are encouraged.

Eligibility Rule 6

Applicants should not have already received similar prototype funding for the same idea from another Government scheme.

Eligibility Rule 7

The proposed innovation should demonstrate originality, scalability, and societal or industrial impact.

Eligibility Rule 8

Applications must be submitted through an approved PRAYAS Centre (PC) or Advance PRAYAS Centre (APC).

Key Benefits & Subsidies

Benefit 1

Grant-in-Aid up to 10 lakh for prototype development without any equity dilution.

Benefit 2

Access to advanced laboratories, fabrication facilities, maker spaces and technical infrastructure.

Benefit 3

Business mentoring from startup experts, industry leaders and experienced entrepreneurs.

Benefit 4

Technical guidance for prototype design, product validation, testing and refinement.

Benefit 5

Intellectual Property (IP), patent filing and technology commercialization support.

Benefit 6

Networking opportunities with incubators, investors, corporates and research institutions.

Benefit 7

Support for converting innovative ideas into market-ready products and technology startups.

Benefit 8

Opportunity to progress towards higher-stage incubation and commercialization programmes after successful prototype validation.

Documents Required

Duly filled NIDHI PRAYAS application form.

Aadhaar Card and PAN Card of the applicant.

Detailed Project Proposal describing the innovation.

Prototype Development Plan with milestones.

Business Plan or Executive Summary.

Pitch Deck or Presentation of the proposed technology.

Company Incorporation Certificate / LLP Registration / Partnership Deed (if applicable).

Proof of Indian Citizenship.

Academic or Technical Qualification Certificates (if applicable).

Bank Account Details for grant disbursement.

Any Intellectual Property (Patent/Application) details, if available.

Any additional documents requested by the respective PRAYAS Centre or Advance PRAYAS Centre.

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