Organisation Name:
Azim Premji Foundation
Application Deadline:
31 December 2026
About Organisation
Azim Premji Foundation is an Indian philanthropic organisation working to address social challenges and strengthen civil society. Through its social-sector initiatives, the Foundation supports professionals who want to build community-rooted organisations and respond to the needs of underserved populations. Its Social Startups Programme is designed for development-sector professionals who have practical experience but need guidance and support to establish a new civil society organisation. The programme combines an initial seeding phase, organisational development assistance and the possibility of longer-term grant support for participants who successfully meet the required milestones.
About the Grant
The Azim Premji Social Startups Programme 2026 supports young development-sector professionals who intend to establish new grassroots civil society organisations in selected regions of India. The programme begins with an eight-month seeding phase, during which selected participants receive a monthly honorarium and guidance on organisational registration, governance, statutory compliance and programme planning. Participants who complete this phase and meet the required milestones may be considered for a subsequent two-year grant to develop and strengthen their work. The programme focuses on community needs rather than supporting already established organisations
Who can Apply?
The programme is intended for individual development-sector professionals who want to establish a new civil society organisation. Applicants must be below 40 years of age, hold a graduate degree in any discipline and have at least three years of experience in the development sector. They must be willing to work at the grassroots level, intend to establish a new organisation and not already have a registered organisation. Applicants must also propose work in one of the programme’s specified geographies: Bengaluru, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Odisha or North-East India.
How to Apply?
Interested applicants should review the official eligibility criteria and complete the online application once the application window opens. Applicants will need to share their profile, relevant experience and proposed area of work. The selection process includes document review, written responses for shortlisted applicants, an online interaction and an in-person panel. Selected participants begin the eight-month seeding phase before being considered for further grant support.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 31 December 2026
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
