Apply for Science and Technology Seed Grant Program – India

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Vision Group on Science and Technology is inviting proposals from researchers, faculty members, and institutions in Karnataka for Seed Grants supporting innovative science and technology projects. The initiative aims to strengthen Karnataka’s research and innovation ecosystem by providing early-stage funding to projects with strong potential for scientific advancement, technological innovation, and practical application. Selected projects can receive seed grants of up to ₹10 lakhs, which can help cover research expenses, equipment, and other project-related costs.

About the Vision Group Seed Grants

The Seed Grant initiative is designed to provide financial support for promising research ideas at an early stage of development. By supporting innovative projects before they reach larger-scale implementation, the programme seeks to encourage researchers to explore new scientific concepts, develop technologies, generate evidence, and create solutions to current challenges. The initiative also contributes to strengthening Karnataka’s broader science and technology research ecosystem. Main Objectives of the Programme

The Seed Grants aim to:

- Support innovative science and technology research. - Encourage early-stage projects with significant advancement potential. - Strengthen the research ecosystem in Karnataka. - Provide financial support for promising research ideas. - Encourage solutions to current scientific and technological challenges. - Promote research with potential practical applications. - Encourage interdisciplinary approaches. - Contribute to Karnataka’s development in science and technology sectors. Grant Amount Selected projects can receive up to ₹10 lakhs in Seed Grant support. The funding can provide researchers with resources needed to undertake early-stage research and develop promising ideas.

Support can cover areas such as:

- Research expenses. - Equipment. - Project-related costs. - Other expenses necessary for carrying out the proposed research. Applicants should ensure that the requested funding is clearly connected to the proposed research activities and requirements. Who Can Apply? The programme is intended for applicants based in Karnataka.

Eligible applicants include:

- Researchers located in Karnataka. - Faculty members based in Karnataka. - Institutions located in Karnataka. - Researchers and institutions undertaking eligible science and technology projects in the state. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project and institutional affiliation meet the programme’s requirements. Focus on Innovative Research Innovation is a central focus of the Seed Grant programme. Proposals should present ideas that have the potential to contribute to significant scientific or technological advancement. Applicants are encouraged to identify important challenges and explain how their proposed research could generate new knowledge, technologies, approaches, or practical solutions. Addressing Current Scientific Challenges The programme encourages projects that respond to current scientific and technological challenges. Researchers should clearly identify the problem or knowledge gap their project intends to address and explain why the proposed research is important. A well-defined problem statement can help demonstrate the relevance and potential value of the proposed project. Potential for Practical Application Projects with potential for practical application are encouraged. Applicants should explain how the expected research outcomes could potentially contribute to real-world applications, technological development, societal benefits, or the state’s science and technology priorities. The practical impact does not necessarily have to be immediate, but the proposal should clearly communicate the pathway from research activities to potential outcomes. Interdisciplinary Research The programme encourages interdisciplinary approaches to science and technology research. Projects that bring together expertise from different scientific or technological areas can help address complex challenges from multiple perspectives. Researchers should clearly explain the contribution of different disciplines and how collaboration strengthens the proposed project. Strengthening Karnataka’s Science and Technology Ecosystem The Seed Grant initiative is intended to contribute to Karnataka’s development as a strong science and technology research environment. By supporting researchers and institutions at the early stage of project development, the programme can help generate new research, technologies, evidence, and innovative solutions. Successful projects may also provide a foundation for further research and larger-scale development. What Should a Proposal Include? Applicants are expected to clearly outline the major components of their proposed research project.

A proposal should include:

- Objectives: Clearly defined goals and research questions.

- Methodology: A detailed explanation of how the research will be conducted.

- Expected outcomes: The scientific or technological results expected from the project.

- Potential impact: The anticipated contribution of the project to science, technology, society, or Karnataka’s development.

- Innovation: An explanation of what makes the proposed research idea new or significant.

- Budget requirements: A clear connection between requested funding and project-related expenses.

Research Objectives Research objectives should be specific and clearly connected to the identified scientific or technological challenge. Applicants should avoid overly broad objectives and instead explain what the project intends to achieve during the proposed research period. Clear objectives also make it easier to assess whether the project has achieved its intended outcomes. Methodology The methodology should explain the research approach in sufficient detail. Applicants should describe the methods, techniques, experiments, analysis, or other approach