DST NIDHI Seed Support Program – ACIC VGU Foundation (2026)

Results & next round

Applications for this round closed on 20 May 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.

Selections for this programme are announced by ACIC VGU Foundation. Official links are listed under Sources below.

We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.

About this grant

The NIDHI Seed Support Program (SSP) is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is providing early-stage financial assistance to technology-driven startups. Through this initiative, promising startups can access structured seed capital to transform validated prototypes into commercially viable products and scalable businesses.

The primary objective of the program is to bridge the gap between laboratory research, prototype development, and market commercialization. Many technology startups struggle during the early transition from proof-of-concept to market-ready product due to lack of capital and strategic guidance. The NIDHI SSP aims to address this gap by offering financial support combined with incubation, mentoring, and ecosystem access to help startups accelerate product development and achieve early market traction.

Under this program selected startups can receive funding support of up to ₹50 lakhs. This funding is structured through equity or equity-linked instruments such as CCPS and is disbursed in milestone-based tranches aligned with the startup’s development progress. The capital can be used for activities such as prototype improvement, MVP development, product testing, customer validation, commercialization strategies, and go-to-market execution. Limited portions of the funding may also be used for operational needs such as branding, legal support, intellectual property protection, and mentorship services.

Beyond capital, startups selected under the program gain access to the broader innovation ecosystem supported by ACIC VGU Foundation. This includes domain mentorship, expert advisory networks, startup community engagement, investor connections, and growth-focused strategic guidance. The incubation environment helps founders refine business models, strengthen market strategies, and prepare for follow-on funding from venture capital firms, angel investors, and institutional investors.

Benefits & Funding

Amount: Up to ₹50 Lakhs
Fund type: Grant

What You Get

Seed funding up to ₹50 lakhs (equity/CCPS, milestone-based) for prototype improvement, MVP, testing, commercialization, and operational needs including branding, legal, and IPR. Also includes incubation, domain mentorship, expert networks, investor connections, strategic guidance, and ecosystem access to prepare for follow-on funding.

How to apply

Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.

1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.