PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs): Category-1: Proof of Concept/ Prototypes/ Models

• Project cost up to ₹5,00,000 to help Innovators convert their ideas into demonstrable models/prototypes. - Maximum support under this category is ₹2,00,000 or 90% of the approved project cost, whichever is lower.

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NOTE 1: The financial support is not an award or a prize or a research fellowship. The financial support is provided for the work to be undertaken.

NOTE 2: Elements like self-salary, rent of own accommodation, creation of infrastructure facility like shed etc should not form the component of support/funds. The support/funds should be mainly for prototype development work/proof of concept.

1. Any Indian citizen including student innovator can avail support to develop their novel idea into demonstrable models/prototypes.
2. The proposals shall preferably be in the following focus sectors: Green Technology, Clean Energy, Industrially utilizable smart materials, Waste to wealth, Affordable healthcare, water &amp; sewage management, and any other technology or knowledge-intensive area.

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NOTE 1: When a group of students want to pursue the project, then there has to be an agreement among the group about the lead applicant. Though financial support can be given only to a single applicant by name, a letter of appreciation can be given by the department to all the students of the team, after successful completion of the project.

NOTE 2: The support is primarily aimed at encouraging student innovators. However, in general, any Indian Citizen having an innovative idea or an invention and wishing to demonstrate his idea in the form of a basic stage model/prototype/process thus providing proof of his concept can apply to this category.

The eligible applicants are requested to submit their applications complete in all respects to the nearest TOCIC.

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> Step 1: Proposal Submission

Submit your project proposal in the prescribed format to the nearest TePP Outreach cum Cluster Innovation Centres (TOCICs). You can also consult with TOCIC coordinators for guidance before applying.

> Step 2: Initial Screening

Upon receipt, TOCIC coordinators will screen the proposals for completeness. They will forward the proposals to Domain Knowledge Experts for evaluation.

> Step 3: Expert Evaluation

Domain Knowledge Experts associated with TOCIC will evaluate the proposals.

> Step 4: Recommendation

Complete and evaluated proposals are sent to DSIR for further action. They will be considered by the PRISM Advisory and Screening Committee (PASC) for recommendation.

> Step 5: Grant Approval

Once approved by the Department, the applicant needs to sign &quot;Terms &amp; Conditions&quot; before the release of grants-in-aid.

> Step 6: Fund Release

The first release is based on project milestones and recommendations by PASC. Subsequent releases depend on project progress assessed by the Project Review Committee (PRC).

> Step 7: Project Monitoring

TOCIC and other network partners, including technical experts, will monitor the approved projects. TOCIC will report project status to DSIR every 3 months. PRCs of external experts will review project progress at least once every 9 months.

> Step 8: Project Closure

After successful project closure, the project completion report will be accepted by the Competent Authority in DSIR, based on PRC recommendation.