NIDHI-EIR (Entrepreneur-In-Residence)
Funding up to INR 30,000 per month for 12-18 months
Please refer to the official NIDHI-EIR guidelines before applying. If you have any questions or need clarification, please write to us at [email protected].
Purpose
The NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) programme provides a monthly fellowship to support aspiring entrepreneurs while they validate and develop their technology-based business ideas. It is a risk-reduction mechanism that enables innovators to pursue entrepreneurship full-time without the immediate pressure of generating income.
The scheme is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and implemented through VentureStudio.
Who Can Apply
Citizenship and Education
- Must be an Indian citizen with government-approved proof of nationality (valid passport, voter's ID, etc.)
- Must have completed either:
- Minimum 4 years of formal full-time undergraduate/postgraduate education towards one or more degree programs (basic degree/diploma in science or engineering)
- OR 3 years degree/diploma program with 2 years full-time work experience post-degree/diploma (basic degree/diploma in science or engineering)
Commitment and Status
- Must be committed to exploring a business idea full-time
- Cannot treat this support as a stop-gap arrangement for academic pursuits or job transitions
- Cannot receive any other concurrent remuneration or fellowship
- Cannot be the promoter or significant (>10 per cent) shareholder/beneficiary of another company at the time of applying and receiving the grant
Business Proposal
- Must demonstrate ability to build a scalable technology business startup
- Must propose one technology business idea in the prescribed format
- Must have a formal business plan and business presentation including investment proposal
- Must register for incubation programme at the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) for the entire duration of support
Who Cannot Apply
You are not eligible if:
- Receiving financial support from any other government scheme for the same idea.
- A promoter of an existing, funded startup.
- A student currently enrolled in full-time academic programmes.
- A former NIDHI-EIR recipient.
Benefits of the Programme
- Monthly Fellowship: Up to INR 30,000 per month for a maximum of 12-18 months.
- Entrepreneurial Mentorship: Structured mentoring by domain and business experts.
- Facility Access: Use of coworking space and relevant labs at VentureStudio.
- Preparation for Funding: Guidance on moving toward grants or seed investment.
Preference Areas
- First-time entrepreneurs with deep-tech or hardware-based solutions.
- Ideas aligned with national missions (e.g. Digital India, Make in India).
- Solutions in health, agriculture, environment, manufacturing, and social impact sectors.
What the Funds Can Be Used For
The EIR fellowship is intended as a personal sustenance grant to:
- Support basic living expenses while building your startup idea.
- Dedicate time and energy to prototype development, customer discovery, and early traction.
Prohibited Usage of Funds
Funds cannot be used for:
- Business expenses (e.g. equipment, marketing, travel).
- Hiring team members or contractors.
- Product development or lab purchases.
- Reimbursement of past expenses.
Terms and Conditions
- Support period is typically 12 months, extendable up to 18 months in deserving cases
- Must be registered for pre-incubation or incubation at a TBI throughout the support period
- Cannot avail funding support from both NIDHI-PRAYAS and NIDHI-EIR simultaneously
- Cannot be a recipient of NIDHI-EIR more than once
- Regular monitoring and review of progress by the TBI
- Grant may be terminated for non-performing EIRs before completion of 12 months
Implementation at VentureStudio
At VentureStudio, NIDHI-EIR is designed to help you convert your idea into a viable startup:
- Application and Selection: Online application followed by a jury interaction.
- Fellowship Agreement: Selected entrepreneurs sign a formal agreement.
- Milestone Planning: We co-create goals for your EIR journey.
- Fellowship Release: Monthly payments are linked to progress reports.
- Ongoing Mentorship: You’ll work with experienced founders and industry mentors.
- Graduation and Next Steps: EIRs are encouraged to apply for grants like PRAYAS SSP once ready.
Ready to Apply for NIDHI-EIR?
VentureStudio is no longer accepting applications for this scheme. Please check back for an update.