Application Deadline:
31 August 2026
About Organisation
Schaeffler India is a leading technology company committed to driving innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, the company supports entrepreneurs and innovators who develop solutions addressing India’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. The Schaeffler India Social Innovation Fellowship is one of its flagship programmes, implemented in collaboration with IHFC (I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics), India Accelerator, and IIMA Ventures. Together, these partners provide funding, mentorship, business development, and industry connections to help early-stage innovators transform promising ideas into scalable ventures that create measurable social impact across diverse sectors.
About the Grant
The Schaeffler India Social Innovation Fellowship 2026–27 is a 24-week accelerator programme supporting 10 early-stage social innovators from across India. The fellowship provides ₹2 lakh in grant funding, expert mentorship, venture development support, leadership training, and access to a strong innovation ecosystem. It focuses on helping innovators scale practical solutions addressing challenges in healthcare, agriculture, education, clean energy, sustainability, mobility, livelihoods, AI, robotics, and manufacturing safety. Participants receive guidance on business model development, impact measurement, investor readiness, and market expansion while building sustainable enterprises capable of delivering long-term social and environmental impact.
Who can Apply?
Applications are open to individual innovators, startups, for-profit organisations, and non-profit organisations based in India. Applicants must be 18–35 years old, have developed a functional prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and work on a solution addressing social or environmental challenges within the fellowship’s focus sectors. Strong preference is given to innovators from Tier II, Tier III, and rural India. Applicants should demonstrate early validation through pilot implementation, customer or beneficiary feedback, partnerships, or market traction. A committed founding team and clear potential for measurable social impact and scalability are essential for selection.
How to Apply?
Review the fellowship eligibility criteria and identify how your innovation aligns with the programme’s focus areas. Prepare details about your prototype, impact model, founding team, and supporting documents before completing the online application. Shortlisted applicants will undergo expert evaluation and present their solutions before a final jury panel. Selected innovators will join the 24-week fellowship programme with funding and mentorship support.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 31 August 2026.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
