[May 2026]
Stay informed about active funding opportunities relevant to the Indian ecosystem. This compilation highlights open calls, grants, innovation challenges and strategic programs that can support impactful projects, research, business growth and social initiatives across India.
CFPs: ANRF MAHA Leapfrog Demonstrators for Societal Innovation in India
Deadline: 01-Jun-2026
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has launched the MAHA Leapfrog Demonstrators for Societal Innovation Program to support large-scale, transformative solutions to critical societal challenges in India. The programme funds high-impact, real-world innovation projects across sectors like agriculture, energy, health, and digital inclusion, with grants of up to ₹50 crores…[more]
CFAs: Independent Music Production Grant Program (India)
Deadline: 17-May-2026
The Independent Music Production Grant by Serendipity Arts supports independent musicians in India with up to INR 1,50,000 to create, produce, and release original music projects over a 12-month period (June 2026–June 2027). The programme focuses on empowering unsigned artists across genres through funding, mentorship, and structured project development…[more]
Skilling, Upskilling and Reskilling under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (India)
Deadline: 22-May-2026
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy invites proposals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to develop a skilled workforce for the green hydrogen sector. The scheme funds training, curriculum development, and Centres of Excellence, with up to ₹1 crore per centre. It targets institutions capable of delivering industry-aligned skill development across the hydrogen value chain…[more]
Submissions open for Arts Practice Programme (India)
Deadline: 20-May-2026
The India Foundation for the Arts Arts Practice Programme supports Indian artists to experiment, innovate, and expand their creative practice. It offers funding up to ₹5,00,000 for projects across disciplines such as visual arts, performance, digital media, and literature. The programme emphasizes experimentation, new forms, and critical inquiry, with project durations of up to 18 months…[more]
Call for EOIs: Strengthening Menstrual Hygiene Management in India
Deadline: 02-Jun-2026
The UNICEF is inviting Expressions of Interest to conduct a comprehensive landscape analysis of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in India. The initiative aims to assess policies, programmes, and systems while identifying gaps and improving coordination across sectors. The outcome will support evidence-based recommendations to strengthen MHM systems nationwide…[more]
Open Call for iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway (India)
Deadline: 31-Dec-2026
The iCreate Pro-Fund Gateway, managed by the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate), is a specialized support program for Indian startups in the idea-to-Proof-of-Concept (PoC) stage. It offers funding ranging from ₹2 Lakh to ₹30 Lakh, access to advanced labs, mentorship, and campus residency in Gujarat. By aggregating schemes from government bodies like DST (NIDHI) and the Government of Gujarat, the gateway accelerates hardware and software innovations from prototype to market readiness…[more]
Sports Flagship Programme for Young Athletes in India
Deadline: 13-May-2026
SBI Foundation is inviting organisations to manage the SBIF PASS Junior programme, a nationwide sports scholarship for Indian para-athletes aged 15–19. The programme supports 90 athletes with ₹40,000 per month for one year, covering training, equipment, and performance needs. It aims to build a strong pipeline of para-sport talent and strengthen India’s long-term sporting ecosystem…[more]
RFPs: Mrinalini Mukherjee Creative Arts Grant Program (India)
Deadline: 15-May-2026
The Mrinalini Mukherjee Creative Arts Grant offers up to INR 10 lakh to support experienced Indian visual artists in developing experimental and innovative projects. It focuses on risk-taking, new artistic directions, and evolving creative practices. The grant supports project-based work across diverse visual art disciplines…[more]
Applications open for the Inlaks-Ravi Sankaran Grant Program (India)
Deadline: 31-May-2026
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation offers a conservation science grant supporting young Indian researchers to develop pilot projects in ecology, field biology, and conservation. It funds early-stage, innovative ideas that can lead to long-term conservation impact in India, with up to INR 300,000 per year for one year. Successful projects may qualify for follow-up funding based on demonstrated outcomes and impact potential…[more]
Climate-Resilient WASH Systems Strengthening in Schools and Anganwadi Centres (India)
Deadline: 15-May-2026
UNICEF is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from NGOs and CSOs to provide technical assistance for strengthening climate-resilient WASH systems in schools and Anganwadi Centres across Jharkhand, India. The programme focuses on water, sanitation, hygiene, climate resilience, institutional capacity building, behaviour change, and sustainable service delivery aligned with major government schemes…[more]
Call for Startup Proposals by TiHAN for Autonomous Technologies (India)
Deadline: Ongoing
The TiHAN at IIT Hyderabad invites startup proposals to support innovative ideas in autonomous navigation and related technologies through funding, mentorship, and advanced infrastructure…[more]
Open Call: TiHAN-IITH’s Entrepreneur in Residence Program (India)
Deadline: Ongoing
The TiHAN-IITH’s Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program invites graduating students to develop entrepreneurial ventures in innovative autonomous navigation technologies. The program focuses on autonomous and intelligent navigation systems for ground, aerial, and water surface vehicles, applications of autonomous navigation technologies in agriculture, defence, and disaster management, infrastructure monitoring including power lines, constructions, pipelines, and railway tracks, surveillance across maritime, aerial, and terrestrial environments, and environmental monitoring of air, water, and industrial pollutants…[more]
Call for SSS Proposals from Entrepreneurs (India)
Deadline: Ongoing
The IIT Hyderabad’s TiHAN Foundation is seeking experienced startups to develop innovative autonomous navigation technologies with financial and mentorship support. The program focuses on advancing research, design, and development of autonomous navigation and data acquisition systems for UAVs, ROVs, and other platforms, aiming to translate innovative technologies into commercially viable solutions. It supports projects that combine industry and academic collaborations to maximize the impact of autonomous systems in real-world applications…[more]
C-CAMP Wadhwani Innovation Network Centre of Excellence (India)
Deadline Date: Ongoing
The C-CAMP has launched its Centre of Excellence in Bioengineering and Biotechnology to support innovators in transforming research into commercially viable solutions. C-CAMP, in partnership with the Wadhwani Foundation, has established a Centre of Excellence in Bioengineering and Biotechnology to boost research commercialization. The focus areas of the initiative include transforming academic and entrepreneurial research into scalable, industry-ready solutions, fostering job creation and economic growth, driving cross-disciplinary innovation in biotech and bioengineering, and aligning with national priorities for science-led development…[more]
Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund Opens Equity Funding Applications for 2025–26 (India)
Deadline: Ongoing
The StartupTN has announced a call for applications for the Tamil Nadu Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Startup Fund, an equity funding initiative of the Government of Tamil Nadu aimed at supporting eligible startups during the 2025–26 period…[more]
