PRISM Category-1 Scheme 2026: Up to ₹2 Lakh Prototype Grant, Eligibility & How to Apply

At a glance

About the scheme

Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs (PRISM) Category-1 is an initiative by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology. It aims to empower grassroots and student innovators to transform their early-stage concepts into working prototypes or models. Financial grants are provided to meet direct prototype development expenses rather than personal stipends or permanent infrastructure, enabling technological solutions that can later strengthen MSME clusters and support inclusive national development.

Benefits

• Financial assistance for projects with total costs up to ₹5,00,000.
• Grant covering up to ₹2,00,000 or 90% of the approved project cost, whichever is lower.
• Formal letters of appreciation issued to all student team members upon successful completion of group projects.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Any Indian citizen, including student innovators, having a novel idea or invention to develop into a working model or prototype.
• Proposals should preferably fall under focus sectors like Green Technology, Clean Energy, Industrially utilizable smart materials, Waste to Wealth, Affordable Healthcare, Water and Sewage Management, or other technology/knowledge-intensive fields.
• In the case of student groups, an internal agreement specifying a single lead applicant is required to receive funds.
• Student entrepreneurs are eligible provided they have the commercial exploitation rights for the technology.

Who cannot apply

• Projects focusing entirely on pure software development.
• Projects confined to pure academic research.
• Students pursuing long-term research like doctoral research projects (unless they are student entrepreneurs with commercial rights).
• Expenses toward self-salary, house rent, or the construction of physical infrastructure like sheds are not covered.

Documents required

• Signed copy of the application form in the prescribed format
• Aadhaar Card copy
• Residence proof (Residence Certificate from SDM/DM, ration card copy, or other valid residence proof)
• Brief description highlighting the innovative aspects of the project
• Documentary proof of prior work (such as photos, videos, or media coverage)
• Work plan detailing the development stages
• Target user profile for the intended innovation
• PAN card and latest Income Tax Return copy (if the applicant is a taxpayer)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) on institutional letterhead with institutional commitment (mandatory for students)

How to apply

1. 1Download the Category-1 proposal form from the official DSIR website and prepare your project plan.
2. 2Submit the completed application alongside all supporting documents to the nearest TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centre (TOCIC).
3. 3TOCIC coordinators screen the application and forward it to Domain Knowledge Experts for technical assessment.
4. 4Evaluated applications are submitted to DSIR for appraisal by the PRISM Advisory and Screening Committee (PASC).
5. 5Sign the formal Terms and Conditions document once the project receives sanction from the department.
6. 6Receive the first grant installment based on project milestones, with later releases tied to progress reviews by the Project Review Committee (PRC).
7. 7Comply with quarterly monitoring by TOCIC and PRC reviews before submitting the final project completion report.

Frequently asked questions