What is the SHITIJ 2.0 Incubation Programme?

SHITIJ 2.0 is a flagship incubation initiative by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the National Agricultural Innovation Fund (NAIF). It aims to promote innovative startups and entrepreneurs in agriculture and allied sectors by providing incubation support, mentoring, and access to the ICAR ecosystem.

Who is eligible to apply for SHITIJ 2.0?

The program is open to Indian citizens, including founders of startups, entrepreneurs, innovators, students, researchers, and agripreneurs. Applicants must have an innovation, idea, product, or solution relevant to agriculture and allied sectors and agri-startups must have a Prototype/Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

What kind of innovations is SHITIJ 2.0 looking for?

The program focuses on innovations, ideas, products, or solutions relevant to agriculture and allied sectors, including Plant Health, Precision Agriculture, Animal Health & Production, Food Processing, Waste to Wealth, Farm Mechanisation, and Post Harvest Technology.

What benefits do selected participants receive?

Selected participants receive comprehensive incubation support, scientific and technical mentoring, access to ICAR infrastructure and lab facilities, business development support, market linkages, IP facilitation, legal and administrative support, regulatory advisory, and a mandatory two-month structured training program.

Is there any financial assistance provided through SHITIJ 2.0?

SHITIJ 2.0 primarily offers incubation support, mentoring, infrastructure access, and business development resources. The program content does not explicitly mention direct cash grants or financial investment. However, the value of infrastructure access and expert mentorship is significant.

What is the application deadline for SHITIJ 2.0?

The last date to apply for the SHITIJ 2.0 Incubation Programme is 31 July 2026, at 11:59:59 PM IST.

SHITIJ 2.0 – Call for Applications for Startups & Entrepreneurs

About this grant

SHITIJ 2.0 is a flagship incubation initiative under the National Agricultural Innovation Fund (NAIF), spearheaded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through its Intellectual Property & Technology Management (IP&TM) Unit. This program is designed to significantly strengthen India's burgeoning agri-startup ecosystem by connecting a vast network of 50 incubation centers across the country. It serves as a vital platform to promote innovative startups and entrepreneurs dedicated to agricultural and allied sectors.

The core objective of SHITIJ 2.0 is to accelerate innovation and facilitate the commercialization of cutting-edge solutions in agriculture. By providing a robust support network for early-stage entrepreneurs and startups, the program aims to nurture groundbreaking ideas from conception to market readiness. Participants in this program benefit from a structured incubation experience, rigorous technology validation processes, and unparalleled expert guidance, all geared towards helping them scale their innovations effectively within the dynamic agricultural landscape.

Selected startups and entrepreneurs receive extensive incubation support tailored to their needs, including specialized scientific and technical mentoring from seasoned subject matter experts, scientists, and industry professionals. Furthermore, they gain invaluable access to ICAR's state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced laboratory facilities, essential for research, development, and validation. The program also provides crucial business development support and facilitates strategic market linkages, ensuring that innovations are aligned with real market demands and user requirements. A mandatory two-month structured training programme, as prescribed by ICAR-IPTM, is an integral part of the incubation journey, preparing participants for the challenges of commercialization. The entire application and participation process for SHITIJ 2.0 is entirely free of cost, removing financial barriers for promising agripreneurs.

SHITIJ 2.0 offers extensive non-financial benefits tailored to accelerate agri-startups. Selected participants gain access to comprehensive incubation support under the ABIC framework, designed to refine business models and value propositions. They receive scientific and technical mentoring from renowned subject matter experts, scientists, and industry professionals, including one-on-one guidance. A critical advantage is the access to ICAR's world-class infrastructure and lab facilities, coupled with support for crucial field trials and technology validation.

The program also emphasizes business development support and fosters vital market linkages, providing exposure to real market and user requirements to ensure product-market fit. Participants benefit from access to institutional networks and the broader innovation ecosystem, enhancing their visibility and connectivity. Furthermore, the program offers Intellectual Property (IP) facilitation and advisory on technology licensing, ensuring legal and administrative robustness. A mandatory two-month structured training program, prescribed by ICAR-IPTM, is included to equip entrepreneurs with essential skills. Additional benefits include regulatory/advisory services and promotional/branding support.

SHITIJ 2.0 – Call for Applications for Startups & Entrepreneurs

SHITIJ 2.0 – Call for Applications for Startups & Entrepreneurs

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