U.S.-India Technology Innovation Partnership Grant

The U.S.-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF) is inviting joint proposals from Indian and U.S. partners to develop and commercialize innovative technologies in Critical Minerals and Quantum Technologies. Selected collaborative projects can receive up to INR 15 million (approximately USD 165,000) for projects lasting up to 24 months.

What is the U.S.-India Technology Commercialization Grant?

The U.S.-India Technology Commercialization Grant is a bilateral funding programme that supports collaborative technology innovation between India and the United States. Managed under the U.S.-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF), the programme promotes applied research, product development, and commercialization of technologies with strong societal and economic impact.

The initiative encourages partnerships between startups, businesses, research institutions, universities, and government organizations to transform innovative ideas into commercially viable products and services.

Grant Overview

Grant Name: U.S.-India Technology Commercialization Grant
Managed By: U.S.-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF)
Countries: India and the United States
Funding Amount: Up to INR 15 million (approximately USD 165,000) per project
Project Duration: Up to 24 months
Funding Type: Collaborative Research, Development, and Commercialization Grant

Purpose of the Grant

The programme aims to strengthen technology partnerships between India and the United States while accelerating the commercialization of innovative solutions.

Its objectives include:

Promoting bilateral technology collaboration.
Supporting applied research and development (R&D).
Accelerating commercialization of emerging technologies.
Strengthening innovation ecosystems.
Encouraging entrepreneurship.
Developing market-ready technologies.
Addressing major societal and industrial challenges.
Supporting sustainable economic growth.

Focus Areas

Projects should align with one or both of the following priority sectors:

Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Resilience

Eligible innovations may focus on:

Critical mineral exploration.
Mineral processing technologies.
Resource recovery.
Sustainable mining.
Critical mineral supply chains.
Advanced materials.
Supply chain resilience.
Strategic resource security.

Quantum Technologies

Projects may include innovations related to:

Quantum computing.
Quantum communication.
Quantum sensing.
Quantum software.
Quantum hardware.
Quantum algorithms.
Secure communications.
Advanced quantum applications.

Why This Grant Matters

Critical minerals and quantum technologies are essential for future economic growth, national security, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital transformation.

By supporting joint innovation between India and the United States, this programme helps accelerate technology commercialization, strengthen international partnerships, and bring breakthrough technologies closer to the global market.

Funding Information

Successful projects may receive:

Up to INR 15 million (approximately USD 165,000) per project.

Funding supports activities related to:

Applied research.
Prototype development.
Technology validation.
Product development.
Commercialization planning.
Business development.
Market readiness activities.

Projects may run for a maximum period of 24 months.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible proposals must include:

At least one Indian partner.
At least one U.S. partner.

Both partners must participate throughout the entire project period and play significant, complementary roles in technology development and commercialization.

Eligible Applicants

The programme welcomes participation from:

Startups.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Incorporated companies.
Non-incorporated business entities.
Academic institutions.
Government research institutions.
Non-governmental research organizations.
Research consortia.

At least one project partner must be an entrepreneurial entity, preferably an SME.

Ineligible Applicants

The following are not eligible:

Subsidiaries of one partner operating in the other country.
Spin-off companies of one partner established in the partner country.

Applications that do not meet the bilateral partnership requirements will not be considered.

Project Requirements

Eligible projects should:

Focus on applied research and development.
Include a clear commercialization pathway.
Present a business plan.
Demonstrate proof of commercial concept.
Show sustainable market potential.
Address significant societal or industrial challenges.
Clearly define the roles of each partner.

Projects should demonstrate strong innovation and commercial viability.

Selection Criteria

Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate:

Advanced technological innovation.
Higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
Strong commercialization potential.
Breakthrough technologies.
Societal and economic impact.
Well-developed business strategies.
Sustainable market opportunities.
Effective bilateral collaboration.

Intellectual Property Requirements

Applicants must clearly define:

Ownership of intellectual property (IP).
Rights relating to technology development.
Commercialization responsibilities.
Collaboration arrangements between Indian and U.S. partners.

Teams shortlisted for further review must submit a formal Partnership Agreement outlining these arrangements.

Additional Requirements

Where academic institutions, government organizations, or research institutions participate:

A No Objection Certificate (NOC) approving the participation of the Principal Investigator must be submitted with the application.

This requirement helps ensure institutional approval for project participation.

How to Apply

Applicants should generally follow these steps:

Form a joint team with at least one Indian and one U.S. partner.
Develop an applied R&D project with commercialization potential.
Prepare a detailed business plan.
Demonstrate proof of commercial concept.
Define partner roles and intellectual property arrangements.
Complete the grant application.
Submit all required supporting documents.
If shortlisted, submit the formal Partnership Agreement.

Benefits of Participating

Successful applicants can benefit from:

Funding of up to INR 15 million.
International collaboration opportunities.
Commercialization support.
Access to bilateral innovation networks.
Increased market readiness.
Stronger research and industry partnerships.
Opportunities to develop globally competitive technologies.
Enhanced visibility in both Indian and U.S. innovation ecosystems.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your proposal:

Build a balanced partnership with complementary expertise.
Clearly explain the commercial opportunity.
Present a realistic business plan.
Demonstrate technology readiness.
Define intellectual property ownership early.
Highlight measurable societal and economic benefits.
Show how the project addresses priority technology sectors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting proposals without both Indian and U.S. partners.
Presenting research without a commercialization strategy.
Failing to define intellectual property ownership.
Providing incomplete business plans.
Ignoring Technology Readiness Level (TRL) considerations.
Submitting incomplete supporting documents.
Including ineligible subsidiaries or spin-off companies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the U.S.-India Technology Commercialization Grant?

It is a bilateral funding programme that supports collaborative projects between Indian and U.S. partners to develop and commercialize innovative technologies in priority sectors.

2. How much funding is available?

Selected projects may receive up to INR 15 million (approximately USD 165,000) for projects lasting up to 24 months.

3. Which sectors are supported?

The programme focuses on:

Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Resilience.
Quantum Technologies.

4. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include startups, SMEs, companies, universities, academic institutions, government research organizations, non-governmental research institutions, and research consortia working together as India–U.S. partnerships.

5. Is an entrepreneurial partner required?

Yes. At least one project partner must be an entrepreneurial entity, preferably a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).

6. Are intellectual property agreements required?

Yes. Applicants must clearly define intellectual property ownership, and shortlisted teams must submit a formal Partnership Agreement before final approval.

7. Why is this grant important?

The programme strengthens technology collaboration between India and the United States by supporting commercially viable innovations in critical minerals and quantum technologies, helping transform research into market-ready solutions with significant societal and economic impact.

Conclusion

The U.S.-India Technology Commercialization Grant 2026 offers an excellent opportunity for Indian and U.S. innovators to collaborate on high-impact technologies with strong commercial potential. By providing funding of up to INR 15 million for projects in Critical Minerals and Quantum Technologies, the programme supports applied research, prototype development, and commercialization while strengthening international partnerships and driving innovation that addresses global challenges.