NIDHI-EIR — Entrepreneur in Residence
Monthly stipend (~₹30K) for 12 months to de-risk quitting your job. Underused — gives runway before company formation.
Quick facts
- Ministry / Agency
- DST / NSTEDB
- Funding
- ₹3.6 L – ₹3.6 L
- Stage
- ideation
- Sector
- Any sector
- Equity dilution
- none
- DPIIT recognition required
- No
- NRI / OCI eligibility
- Eligible if the entity is Indian-incorporated; the founder's NRI / OCI status is treated as Indian for this scheme.
Who is eligible
Pre-formation founder de-risking transition from full-time employment
How to apply
NIDHI EIR is administered by DST / NSTEDB. Applications are submitted through the official portal — there are no application fees and you do not need to go through third-party intermediaries.
Apply on the official portalRelated schemes
Other schemes that often pair with NIDHI EIR or apply to a similar profile.
SFURTI — Scheme for Regeneration of Traditional Industries
Cluster-based programme for traditional artisans. Funds common facility centres, market linkages, design support, capacity building. Strong fit for traditional manufacturing and handicrafts founders.
Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) 1.0 & 2.0
FFS doesn't fund startups directly — backs SEBI AIFs which deploy 2× SIDBI commitment into DPIIT startups. FFS 2.0 (Apr 2026): another ₹10,000 Cr with Deep Tech carve-out.
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
Up to ₹20 L grant for PoC/prototype + up to ₹50 L convertible/debt for market entry. Apply to up to 3 incubators. ₹605+ Cr deployed to 3,400+ startups.
ASPIRE — Innovation, Rural Industries & Entrepreneurship
Funds Livelihood and Tech Business Incubators. Founder play: get hand-holding via an ASPIRE-funded incubator for rural/agri-rural enterprise.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for NIDHI EIR?+
Pre-formation founder de-risking transition from full-time employment
What is the funding amount under NIDHI EIR?+
₹3.6 L – ₹3.6 L. ~₹30K/month × 12 months
Can NRI or OCI founders apply for NIDHI EIR?+
Eligible if the entity is Indian-incorporated; the founder's NRI / OCI status is treated as Indian for this scheme.
Does NIDHI EIR require DPIIT recognition?+
No — DPIIT recognition is not required for NIDHI EIR.
How do I apply for NIDHI EIR?+
Apply through the official portal at nstedb.com. The scheme is administered by DST / NSTEDB.
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