Are you an individual inventor who's trying to bring change to the environment and the society though tech-innovation?

The Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Scientific and Industrial Grants has a programme called PRISM for Individual Innovators.

PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs) scheme aims at to support individual innovators which will enable to achieve the agenda of inclusive development. It would also provide support to institutions or organizations set up as Autonomous Organization under a specific statute or as a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or Indian Trusts Act, 1882 leading to development of state-of-art new technology solutions aimed at helping MSME clusters.

Who can apply?

Any Indian citizen having innovative idea and wish to translate their idea into working prototypes/models/processes; public funded institutions or organizations viz. Autonomous Organizations or Society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or Indian Trusts Act, 1882 engaged in promotion of innovation.

Thrust Areas:

The proposals shall preferably be considered in the following focus sectors: Green technology, Clean energy, Industrially utilizable smart materials, Waste to Wealth, Affordable Healthcare, Water & Sewage Management and any other technology or knowledge intensive area.

Programs and Eligibility:

Program Eligibility
Prism Phase I
Category-I: Proof of Concept/ Prototypes/ Models

Maximum support may be limited to INR 2 lakh or 90% of the total project cost whichever is lower.

Any Indian citizen including student innovator can avail support to develop their novel idea into demonstrable models/prototypes.
Category-II: Fabrication of working model/process know-how/ testing and trial/patenting/technology transfer etc. (Innovation Incubation)

Maximum support may be limited to INR 20 lakh or 90% of the total project cost whichever is lower.

Any Indian citizen having innovative ideas.
PRISM- Phase-II (Enterprise Incubation)
Maximum support may be up to INR 50 lakh limited to 50% of the total project cost. The support may be provided for scaling up technology based innovations, including patenting/design registration/trademark registry/ technology transfer to develop a marketable product/process towards enterprise creation. Successful PRISM innovators or innovators who have successfully demonstrated proof of concept with the support of other government institutions/agency.
PRISM-R&D Proposals
Maximum support may be up to 50.00 lakh, limited to 50% of the total project cost for developing technology solutions aimed at helping MSME clusters. Any R&D institute / autonomous institutions/public funded laboratories/ academic institutes and so on.

The guidelines and application forms can be downloaded through the below given links:

  • General guidelines for TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centre (TOCICs) – Click here
  • PRISM_ Phase-I: Individual Innovator Proposals: Category I: Proof of Concept/Prototypes/Models – Click here
  • PRISM_ Phase-I: Individual Innovator Proposals: Category II: Fabrication of Working Model/Process Know-how/Testing & Trial/Patenting/Technology Transfer – Click here
  • PRISM_ Phase-II – Click here
  • PRISM _ R&D Proposals (MSME CLUSTERS) – Click here
  • Terms & Conditions for the projects considered for support under PRISM – Click here
  • Click Here for List of TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centres (TOCICs)

All queries should be directed to:

The Head,
Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM),
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Technology Bawan,
New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi – 110 016.

Phone:011-2651 8019, 2659 0387, 26590394 | Email: skdpande@nic.in  |pkdutta@nic.in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.