Startup-relevant scheme
National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations - Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-TBI)
Department of Science and Technology
Active
Incubation
IdeationPrototype / PoCSeed / Early-Stage
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-TBI supports institutions in setting up incubators so they can help technology-based ideas grow into startups.
Type of support
Incubation
Best suited for
Incubation
How much
Incubator-level support varies; generally multi-crore per DST approval
Source
Objectives
The initiative aims to convert technology-based innovations into startups by supporting institutions in setting up Technology Business Incubators (TBIs). The initiative provides support for non-recurring and recurring expenses of TBIs.
Who can apply?
- Host Institute (HI) such as Academic/Technical/R&D Institutes and other institutions with a proven track record in promotion of technology-based entrepreneurship, with adequate expertise and infrastructure to support incubation activities, or
- A legal entity registered in India with the clear purpose and objective of promoting research, innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Not-for-profit legal entity registered as a society/trust/section 8 company
What do you get?
- Non-recurring capital: For publicly funded institutes, 100% support can be provided for renovation/furnishing. In case of other institutes, certain percentage of the total cost (excluding land & building) will be provided.
- Recurring: Out of the total recurring expenditure incurred by the NIDHI-TBI against the approved amount, following mode of funding by DST would be followed on actual recurring expenditure.
How to apply
Proposal is to be submitted in the prescribed proforma available at https://nidhi.dst.gov.in/
Key links
Scheme details from the June 2026 playbook, with status re-checked on 3 October 2026. Deadlines, amounts and windows change — verify on the official portal before applying.