Deadline: 16-Jun-2026
The HCLTech Grant Edition XII, launched by HCLTech through HCLFoundation, invites eligible non-profit organizations in India to apply for funding support for transformative rural development projects. The grant supports initiatives in Water, Biodiversity, Health, and Education, focusing on sustainable development and inclusive growth in underserved rural communities across India.
Winning NGOs in each thematic category will receive ₹5 Crore for a four-year project, while eight runner-up organizations will receive ₹50 Lakhs each for two-year collaborative projects with HCLFoundation.
Overview of the HCLTech Grant Edition XII
The HCLTech Grant is a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of HCLTech designed to support high-impact rural development projects led by Indian non-profit organizations.
Started in 2015, the programme recognizes NGOs as key drivers of social transformation and supports organizations with strong governance, measurable impact, and sustainable community engagement.
The initiative focuses on improving socio-economic and environmental outcomes in marginalized, isolated, underserved, and underdeveloped rural regions of India.
Thematic Areas
The grant supports projects under four major sectors:
- Water
- Biodiversity
- Health
- Education
Projects should demonstrate innovative, scalable, and sustainable approaches to rural development.
Key Objectives
The HCLTech Grant aims to:
- Strengthen rural development initiatives
- Promote environmental sustainability
- Improve healthcare access in rural areas
- Support educational equity
- Encourage biodiversity conservation
- Empower underserved communities
- Strengthen civil society organizations in India
Funding Support
Main Grant Awards
Winning NGOs in each thematic category will receive:
- Grant Amount: ₹5 Crore
- Project Duration: 4 years
Runner-Up Support
Eight runner-up organizations will receive:
- Grant Amount: ₹50 Lakhs
- Project Duration: 2 years
- Collaboration: In partnership with HCLFoundation
Programme Impact
Since its launch in 2015, the initiative has:
- Committed over ₹203.50 Crore
- Impacted more than 2.3 million lives
- Reached 174 districts
- Covered 22 states and 3 union territories in India
The programme supports sustainable and community-driven rural development models across the country.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations in India.
Organizations may apply if they are registered as:
- Society
- Trust
- Section 8 Company
Mandatory Eligibility Requirements
Applicant organizations must:
- Be legally registered in India
- Have valid 80G registration
- Have valid 12A or 10(23C) registration
- Possess CSR-1 registration
- Have at least 5 years of operational existence by 31 March 2026
- Demonstrate average expenditure of at least ₹50 Lakhs during FY 2022–23, FY 2023–24, and FY 2024–25
Compliance Requirements
Organizations must also maintain:
- Audited financial reports
- Full statutory and regulatory compliance
- Valid taxation registrations
- Employee welfare compliance records
- FCRA compliance where applicable
Applicant organizations and governing members must not have:
- Pending litigations
- Blacklisting records
- Political affiliations
- Religious affiliations
- Negative media controversies
Why the Grant Matters
Rural communities in India continue to face major challenges related to:
- Water access
- Healthcare availability
- Educational inequality
- Environmental degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Limited socio-economic opportunities
The HCLTech Grant supports NGOs working to create long-term, sustainable solutions for these challenges through community-centered development models.
The initiative also strengthens the role of civil society organizations in driving inclusive growth and rural transformation.
How the Grant Programme Works
The programme identifies and supports high-impact NGOs capable of implementing scalable rural development projects.
Application and Selection Process
- Submission of project proposal
- Eligibility and compliance screening
- Evaluation of organizational credibility and impact
- Assessment of sustainability and innovation
- Selection of winners and runner-up organizations
- Project implementation and monitoring
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicant organizations should:
- Clearly define the rural development challenge being addressed
- Demonstrate measurable impact and outcomes
- Present realistic implementation plans
- Highlight sustainability and community ownership
- Include strong governance and financial systems
- Show innovation and scalability potential
Strong applications usually include:
- Baseline data and evidence
- Community participation strategies
- Monitoring and evaluation plans
- Long-term sustainability models
- Clear budget justifications
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the HCLTech Grant Edition XII?
It is a CSR initiative by HCLTech through HCLFoundation that supports rural development projects led by NGOs in India.
Which sectors are supported?
The programme supports projects in:
- Water
- Biodiversity
- Health
- Education
How much funding do selected NGOs receive?
Winning organizations in each category receive ₹5 Crore for four-year projects.
What support is available for runner-up organizations?
Eight runner-up NGOs receive ₹50 Lakhs each for two-year collaborative projects.
Who can apply?
Registered non-profit organizations in India, including Societies, Trusts, and Section 8 Companies, can apply.
What are the minimum operational requirements?
Organizations must have at least five years of operational existence by 31 March 2026.
What financial eligibility criteria apply?
Applicants must show an average expenditure of at least ₹50 Lakhs across FY 2022–23, FY 2023–24, and FY 2024–25.
Conclusion
The HCLTech Grant Edition XII provides a major opportunity for Indian NGOs working on sustainable rural development to secure long-term funding and institutional support. By investing in projects related to Water, Biodiversity, Health, and Education, the initiative aims to strengthen community resilience, environmental sustainability, healthcare access, and educational inclusion across underserved rural regions of India.
The programme also reinforces the critical role of civil society organizations in driving impactful and scalable rural transformation initiatives throughout the country.
For more information, visit HCLFoundation.