RFAs: Shape the Next-Gen of Indigenous Technologies Initiative (India)

The TIH Foundation for IoT & IoE has announced an exciting opportunity under its Technology Development Program, inviting academicians, researchers, and startups to submit their proposals. The initiative is aimed at supporting breakthrough innovations in Cyber Physical Systems (CPS), particularly in the domains of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Everything (IoE).

This program focuses on bridging the gap between academia and industry by fostering commercialization of deep-tech solutions. Proposals are being sought for application-oriented technologies, especially those related to indigenous sensor development in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and supply chains. The foundation encourages pioneering projects that push the boundaries of sensor technology and medtech innovation.

One key area of interest is the development of indigenous sensor hardware for healthcare. This initiative aims to reduce the dependence on costly, imported sensors, which currently limit access to advanced diagnostics. Applicants are expected to propose technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above.

Another priority is the agricultural sector. The program seeks affordable, home-grown sensor solutions to support precision farming. Imported sensors often raise operational costs and limit adoption. Therefore, proposals focusing on the development of durable, cost-effective agricultural sensors at TRL 4 and above are welcome.

Proposals are also invited for innovations in supply chain management. The goal is to tackle inefficiencies and lack of transparency by developing indigenous sensor systems to monitor and optimize supply chains. In addition, the foundation is calling for the development of MedTech devices designed for early diagnosis and point-of-care use—again, focusing on reducing import dependency and improving accessibility.

Selected projects can receive funding up to ₹50 lakhs for a duration of 18 months. Additional support for commercialization will be provided. Applicants must be Indian citizens affiliated with recognized Indian academic or research institutions.

Submissions must follow the prescribed project proposal format and should include a clear methodology and a two-minute video showcasing the proposed technology or use case. Applications must be submitted through the official application form portal.