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GOI-NATIONAL INITIATIVE FOR DEVELOPING AND HARNESSING INNOVATIONS (NIDHI)
DST-ENTREPRENEUR-IN-RESIDENCE (EIR)
NO. OF BENEFICIARIES : 31
​FUND SANCTIONED (In Rs.) : 1.8 Crores
The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) is an umbrella programme conceived and developed by the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. The programme aims to nurture knowledge-based and technology-driven ideas and innovations into successful and sustainable startups.
About the NIDHI–Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme
The NIDHI–Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) programme is designed to inspire talented individuals to take up entrepreneurship as a full-time career. The programme supports aspiring entrepreneurs by providing:
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Structured mentorship
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Access to office and co-working space
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Entrepreneurial guidance
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Monthly fellowship support
Selected EIRs receive a monthly fellowship Upto ₹30,000 for a period of one year, helping to reduce the financial risk involved in pursuing startups and partially offsetting opportunity costs of alternative employment.
The programme is implemented by National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), DST, Government of India.
NIDHI–EIR at ABIS - TBI
The Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi, has approved funding for the NIDHI–EIR programme at Technology Business Incubator (TBI), Agribusiness Incubation Society, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, starting from 2020–21.
The programme provides a strong platform for innovative entrepreneurs to:
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Expand professional and industry networks
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Receive critical feedback on business ideas
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Strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities
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Advance towards startup creation and funding
Programme Aims
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To encourage graduating students and early-stage professionals to pursue entrepreneurship through fellowship support
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To provide a prestigious and risk-mitigated platform for technology-based startups
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To create, nurture, and strengthen a pipeline of entrepreneurs for incubation ecosystems
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To make entrepreneurship a viable and attractive career option
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To enable creation of new startups and progress towards funding or investment
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants seeking NIDHI–EIR support must meet the following criteria:
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Must be a citizen of India with valid government-issued proof (Passport, Voter ID, etc.)
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Must have completed:
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Minimum 4 years of full-time undergraduate/postgraduate education in Science or Engineering OR
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3-year degree/diploma in Science or Engineering with at least 2 years of full-time work experience
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Must be committed to exploring and developing a scalable technology-based business idea
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Must pursue entrepreneurial activities full-time during the fellowship period
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Must not receive any other remuneration or fellowship concurrently
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Must be registered under pre-incubation or incubation at TBI, TNAU for the entire EIR duration
Preference Will Be Given To
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Business ideas involving high technology uncertainty or long gestation periods
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Startups leveraging technology or IP from publicly funded research or academic institutions
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Business ideas with significant social impact potential
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Entrepreneurs pursuing business ideas with no or marginal technology innovation or those with very short journey (i.e less than 6 months) to commercialization are discouraged to apply. NIDHI-EIR seeking support should have a formal business plan for the idea they intend to pursue and a business presentation including the investment proposal.​
More Information
For detailed guidelines, please visit:
NIDHI–EIR
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CANDIDATES
