Provided by: Defence Research and Development Organisation
Verified by our research team on 8 Jul 2026
Funding Support
Up to ₹1 crore for startup projects under eligible calls
Application Deadline
Open / Rolling
Official Website
Not listed
TDF supports defence technology development by Indian industry, startups, and MSMEs. DRDO/TDF public materials show startup/MSME project support, with startup project cost references up to ₹1 crore under certain calls. Between January 2023 and June 2024 alone, TDF supported 16 MSMEs and 20 startups, and since its 2016 launch has approved 78 projects worth about ₹333 crore, with 27 technologies across 10 projects already successfully developed — including a green propulsion system for microsatellites built by Bengaluru-based Bellatrix Aerospace. The scheme funds up to 90% of project cost (capped at ₹50 crore for larger projects, though startup-specific calls are typically much smaller), with DRDO providing ongoing technical mentorship through project execution rather than a purely hands-off grant relationship.
Startup Stage
All stages
Industry Sectors
All sectors
State Limitation
Pan-India
DPIIT & MSME Recognition
DPIIT Required • MSME Not Mandatory
DSIR PRISM (Promoting Innovations in Individuals, Start-ups and MSMEs)
Phase I: support up to ₹20 lakh or 90% of project cost; later phase support for scaling / enterprise building
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Technical Proposal
DPIIT/MSME Certificate
Company Documents
Budget
Project Plan
IP Details