DST NIDHI PRAYAS PMU

Department of Science and Technology (DST), launched National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) an umbrella programme in 2016 for nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups.

One of the key initiative under NIDHI is PRAYAS (Promotion & Acceleration of Young And Aspiring innovators and startups) an early stage prototype/proof of concept funding to convert the technology ideas and innovation into products. It would also facilitate the innovators with the Physical infrastructure, Technical guidance and Business mentorship. The emphasis is to foster indigenously developed innovations and product in alignment with the nation's "AtmaNirbharBharat Mission". This program would attract large number of youngsters to come forward to try out their ideas without actually worrying about the failure.

The program is implemented by various incubators acting as PRAYAS centres. PRAYAS also helps incubators to generate the potential pipeline for incubation and positioned as preincubation initiative.

The application for the NIDHI-PRAYAS grant can be made directly to the respective PRAYAS centre " Free of Cost" . There are no application fees. No third party agency or consultants are authorised to make/prepare applications on behalf of startups/innovators. Startups/ innovators seeking help from third parties will be at their own risk.