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Startup-relevant scheme

NIDHI-Centres of Excellence (NIDHI-CoE)

Department of Science and Technology (DST)

Active Incubation Growth / Scaling
ActiveChecked 3 October 2026

No change found in Oct 2026 checks; terms as per the June 2026 playbook. Confirm the current call/window on the official link before applying.

Note: this scheme funds incubators and institutions. Startups benefit indirectly — through the incubators it supports.

NIDHI-CoE supports established incubators in building world-class facilities and services so that high-potential technology startups can turn innovations into scalable businesses.

Type of support
Incubation
Best suited for
Scaling
Headline amount
Up to ₹50 crore over 5 years
How much
Up to ₹50 crore over 5 years to incubator
Source
DPIIT playbook p. 68

Objectives

Under NIDHI-Centres of Excellence (CoE), the DST empowers incubators to provide an enabling environment for the growth of technology startups to enhance the prospects of their success. The NIDHI-CoE proposes to strengthen existing capacities of STEP/TBIs and support potential startups with different pursuits and practices in transferring technological innovations into marketable products/high-growth companies. DST has priority areas for supporting NIDHI-CoEs.

Who can apply?

  • Existing incubator with incubation experience of at least 5 years.
  • For non-academic institution, it should be a legal entity registered in India with the clear purpose of promoting research, innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
  • The financial support for establishing a NIDHI-CoE would be extended to a not-for-profit legal entity registered as a Society/Trust/Section 8 company.
  • The host institution should be in existence for at least 8 years. This will not apply to entities created by the Central or State governments.

What do you get?

  • An enhanced support of maximum of ₹50 crore in 5 years.
  • Public funded institutions: Would be eligible for 100% support including building
  • Private institution: Eligible for recurring support of ₹20 crore and a maximum of ₹1 crore for equipment
  • The support would include design/prototype development & Validation Centres along with the Patent Facilitation centres, state-of-the-art technology based TBI facilities to accommodate minimum 100 startups and an accelerator for 10 high potential startups.

How to apply

Proposals are received throughout the year. Format for the proposal is provided on the portal https://nidhi.dst.gov.in/

Go to official portal