Sarkari Yojana
PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs): Category-1: Proof of Concept/ Prototypes/ Models
About PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs): Category-1: Proof of Concept/ Prototypes/ Models
Run by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Ministry of Science and Technology, PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs) was set up to back individual innovators, helping the country pursue the inclusive-development goal that formed one of the thrust areas of the XIIth five year plan (2012-2017). The initiative also extends assistance to institutions functioning as Autonomous Organizations under a specific statute, or as societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or as trusts under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, so that they can develop cutting-edge technology solutions benefiting MSME clusters. Focus Sectors: proposals are given preference when they fall under Green technology, Clean energy, industrially usable smart materials, Waste to Wealth, Affordable Healthcare, Water and sewage Management, or any other technology- or knowledge-intensive domain.
Contact Us
Scientist ‘G’ and Head Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM) Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Technology Bhawan New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110016. Phone: 011- 26590394; E-mail: skdpande@nic.in ; pkdutta@nic.in
Scientist ‘E’ and Member Secretary Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM) Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Technology Bhawan New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110016. Phone: 011- 26590364; E-mail: tripta.garg@nic.in
Scheme Overview
Central Government
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Individual
Scheme Details
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs): Category-1: Proof of Concept/ Prototypes/ Models, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
Every Indian citizen, including student innovators, is entitled…
Every Indian citizen, including student innovators, is entitled to assistance for turning an original idea into a working model or prototype.
Preference goes to proposals falling under Green Technology,…
Preference goes to proposals falling under Green Technology, Clean Energy, industrially usable smart materials, Waste to wealth, Affordable healthcare, water & sewage management, or any other technology- or knowledge-intensive field. NOTE 1: If a project is pursued by a group of students, the group must first agree on who will act as lead applicant. Only that named individual can receive the financial support, though the department will issue a letter of appreciation to every team member once the project concludes successfully. NOTE 2: While the scheme mainly encourages student innovators, any Indian citizen with an innovative idea or invention who wants to prove that concept through a basic-stage model, prototype, or process is welcome to apply under this category.
Benefits Provided
PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs): Category-1: Proof of Concept/ Prototypes/ Models provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:
Innovators can receive project funding of up…
Innovators can receive project funding of up to ₹5,00,000 to move their idea into a demonstrable model or prototype. - Under this category, support is capped at ₹2,00,000 or 90% of the approved project cost, whichever amount is lower.
NOTE 1:
This funding is not structured as an award, prize, or research fellowship — it is released specifically to finance the proposed work. NOTE 2: Costs such as the innovator's own salary, rent for personal accommodation, or infrastructure like sheds cannot be charged to the grant; the funds must go mainly toward prototype development and proof-of-concept work.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
Signed Copy of Application
Signed Copy of Application
Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence
Innovation Summary (a short write-up describing the idea…
Innovation Summary (a short write-up describing the idea and its innovative aspect)
Documentary Proof of Prior Work (video, photograph, press…
Documentary Proof of Prior Work (video, photograph, press coverage, etc.)
Planned Work
Planned Work
Profile of the Potential User
Profile of the Potential User
Copy of Aadhaar Card
Copy of Aadhaar Card
Residence Certificate issued by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)/District…
Residence Certificate issued by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)/District Magistrate (DM), or a copy of a ration card, or any other proof-of-residence document
PAN Number along with a copy of the…
PAN Number along with a copy of the most recently filed Income Tax Return (if the applicant pays income tax)
Student applicants must submit a ` No Objection…
Student applicants must submit a ` No Objection Certificate ' on the letterhead of their institution's Head, signed along with the application, together with the institution's commitment that the student or concerned faculty will carry the project through to completion.
How to Apply
Offline Application
Applicants can apply for PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs): Category-1: Proof of Concept/ Prototypes/ Models through the offline application process outlined below.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria must send in a fully completed application to their nearest TOCIC.
Proposal Submission Send your project proposal, prepared in…
Proposal Submission Send your project proposal, prepared in the prescribed format, to the nearest TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centre (TOCIC). Applicants may also seek guidance from TOCIC coordinators before submitting.
Initial Screening Once a proposal is received, the…
Initial Screening Once a proposal is received, the TOCIC coordinators check it for completeness and pass it on to Domain Knowledge Experts for review.
Expert Evaluation The Domain Knowledge Experts attached to…
Expert Evaluation The Domain Knowledge Experts attached to the TOCIC assess each proposal.
Recommendation Proposals that clear evaluation are forwarded to…
Recommendation Proposals that clear evaluation are forwarded to DSIR for further processing and taken up by the PRISM Advisory and Screening Committee (PASC) for its recommendation.
Grant Approval After the Department gives its approval,…
Grant Approval After the Department gives its approval, the applicant must sign the "Terms & Conditions" document before any grant-in-aid is released.
Fund Release An initial installment is released based…
Fund Release An initial installment is released based on the project's milestones and PASC's recommendation, while later installments depend on the progress reviewed by the Project Review Committee (PRC).
Project Monitoring The TOCIC, along with other network…
Project Monitoring The TOCIC, along with other network partners and technical experts, keeps track of approved projects — sending status updates to DSIR every three months, while external-expert PRCs review progress at least once every nine months.
Project Closure Once the project is successfully wrapped…
Project Closure Once the project is successfully wrapped up, the Competent Authority at DSIR accepts the completion report on the PRC's recommendation.
Exclusions / Who Is Not Eligible
- The projects relating to pure software development and those involving pure academic research are not eligible.
- Students pursuing long-term research projects like doctoral research projects or similar projects will not be supported; however, student entrepreneurs will be eligible if they have the right to commercially exploit the technology.
Official Application & Website
Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.