SERB - POWER Research Grants 2026

The Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme aims to boost India's self-reliance in defence technology under the 'Make Read More... in India' initiative. Read less

Details

Looking to innovate and contribute to India's defence sector? The Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme is here to help.

What is the TDF Scheme?

This programme, run by the Ministry of Defence, is designed to make India more self-reliant in defence technology. It's a key part of the 'Make in India' mission. The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) manages this scheme to meet the needs of our armed forces, defence production, and DRDO itself. It's especially keen on involving public and private industries, including MSMEs and startups, to build a strong ecosystem for advanced defence technologies.

Who can benefit from the TDF Scheme?

The scheme is a big boost for the defence manufacturing sector. It encourages industries to come up with new defence technologies, putting India firmly on the path to self-sufficiency. It's not just about grants for developing local tech; the scheme offers several other advantages to participating industries.

Why is the TDF Scheme important?

The vision is to create a thriving environment that enhances cutting-edge technology capabilities for defence manufacturing. The mission is to build self-reliance by developing state-of-the-art systems for defence applications that meet the requirements of the Tri-Services, Defence Production, and DRDO. Projects under this scheme can have a development period of up to four years.

The scheme focuses on:

Making significant improvements to existing products and processes.
Moving technology readiness from TRL 3 upwards to create products needed by the armed forces.
Developing new technologies and innovative products for defence.
Replacing imported components where the technology isn't available in India.
Developing technologies or prototypes for national defence.

Objective

The Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme aims to boost India's self-reliance in defence technology under the 'Make in India' initiative.

Benefits

Nature and Duration of Support :

POWER Grants will empower women researchers by funding them under the following two categories:

Level I:The scale of funding up to ₹60 lakhs for three years.
Level II:The scale of funding up to ₹30 lakhs for three years.
The POWER Grant is provided for equipment, manpower, consumables, travel, and contingency. "Overheads" is also being provided to the implementing institution as per prevailing norms of SERB.

Note:POWER Grant will be regulated through terms of reference conforming to SERB-CRG guidelines.

Sources and references

Official Website

Who Can Apply?

Companies registered in India: This includes public or private limited companies, partnership firms, limited liability partnerships, one-person companies, and sole proprietorships. Special focus is on MSMEs and Startups.
Recognised Startups: Startups must be recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as per Government of India rules.
Young Startups: Startups incorporated less than 3 years before the application date are considered 'nascent startups'.
Incubated Nascent Startups: Nascent startups need to be incubated at a government-assisted incubator (Central or State).
No Duplicate Grants: Startups should not have received grants for a similar technology from any other government scheme.
Indian Ownership: The startup must be owned and controlled by Resident Indian citizens, with at least 51% shareholding by them.

How to Apply

The application process details are usually announced by the Ministry of Defence. Interested parties should keep an eye on the official website for announcements and guidelines. The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is responsible for executing the scheme.

For further updates and application forms, please refer to the official sources mentioned below.

Official Sources:

Ministry of Defence Website: Keep checking https://mod.gov.in/ for announcements.
DRDO Website: Information might also be available on the DRDO website.

Documents Needed for Fund Release

Once a project is approved and funds are being released in installments, the applicant (referred to as 'Designated Agencies' or DAs) will need to submit the following documents:

A detailed report on the project's progress.
A Utilization Certificate (UC) along with a Statement of Expenses (SE).
A certificate from a Chartered Accountant.

Official Sources:

Check the official scheme guidelines for the exact format and submission details for these documents.

FAQ’s

What is the main goal of the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme?

The TDF scheme's primary goal is to foster self-reliance in defence technology in India, as part of the 'Make in India' initiative, and it's a programme managed by the Ministry of Defence.

Can a startup apply for multiple TDF projects at the same time?

Yes, an organisation can submit applications for more than one TDF project simultaneously.

What kind of projects are supported under the TDF Scheme?

The scheme supports projects that involve significant upgrades to existing products, developing new technologies from TRL 3 onwards, creating innovative defence products, and substituting imported components.

Who launched the TDF scheme?

The Ministry of Defence is the department that launched this scheme.

What is the duration for project development under TDF?

The maximum time allowed for developing a project under the TDF scheme is four years.

Can a startup with more than 49% foreign investment join the TDF program?

No, any industry with more than 49% foreign investment is not eligible to participate in the TDF scheme.

Is there any fee to apply for the TDF scheme?

No, you do not need to pay any service fee to DRDO or DTDF for applying to this scheme.

How can non-profit research institutions get involved in the TDF program?

Non-profit research institutions can participate, but only by collaborating with an Indian industry, which will act as the lead bidder.

Is the TDF scheme restricted to a specific industry sector?

Yes, the scheme is specifically for the Defence and Aerospace sectors.