The Ministry of Science & Technology has clarified that the Technology Development Board (TDB) closed its call for proposals under the Research Development & Innovation (RDI) Scheme on 30 September 2026 for administrative reasons, not due to lack of funds. The board received unprecedented interest from eligible technology entrepreneurs, receiving close to 330 project proposals between 4 February and 30 September 2026.
Key facts
- Call for Proposals opened: 4 February 2026
- Call closed: 30 September 2026
- Total proposals received: approximately 330
- Proposals evaluated so far: about 99
- Projects selected for funding in first cohort: 22
- Projects selected for funding in second cohort: 13
- Fund allocated to TDB by RDIF: Rs 490 crore
- Fund disbursed to eligible technology entrepreneurs (ETEs) in first cohort: Rs 375.69 crore to 10 ETEs
- Fund remaining to be disbursed: Rs 114.31 crore
- Period for which funds were allocated: 6 months of financial year 2026-27
Why the call was closed
The TDB received far more proposals than it could evaluate within the administrative and evaluation capacity of its Investment Committee. Between February and September 2026, the board evaluated only about 99 of the 330 proposals received, selecting 35 projects across two cohorts for funding. Projects received in April and May 2026 are still under evaluation.
The Investment Committee of TDB meets almost every week to conduct initial screening and shortlisting of projects before full evaluation. Even with this rigorous schedule, the board could only assess approximately 150 projects in seven months. To manage this backlog fairly and ensure quality evaluation, TDB decided to pause new applications temporarily while it completes assessment of all proposals received until 30 September 2026.
Correction on fund availability
Media reports had suggested the closure was due to insufficient funds, which the ministry has denied. The TDB had requested Rs 500 crore for disbursement to eligible technology entrepreneurs over six months, based on its estimates. It received Rs 490 crore from the Research Development & Innovation Fund (RDIF).
As of 30 September 2026, the board had disbursed Rs 375.69 crore to 10 eligible technology entrepreneurs from its first cohort of 22 selected projects. This leaves Rs 114.31 crore still available for disbursement. The pace of actual disbursement depends on how quickly eligible technology entrepreneurs can raise matching funds from non-governmental sources and submit demand notices to TDB for release of the matching portion.
How the RDI Scheme works
Under the RDI Scheme, the TDB provides matching funds only after eligible technology entrepreneurs have successfully raised equivalent amounts from private, non-governmental sources. This ensures projects have genuine commercial backing. The TDB’s role is to release its share of funding once entrepreneurs demonstrate they have secured their portion from external investors. This structure means actual disbursement is limited by the time it takes entrepreneurs to arrange their matching funds, not by TDB’s budget.
What this means for applicants
Eligible technology entrepreneurs and startups who had planned to apply to the RDI Scheme will need to wait for the call to reopen. The ministry has said the call will resume shortly after TDB completes evaluation of all 330 proposals received by 30 September 2026. Projects already submitted are still being assessed.
The strong response to this call shows there is substantial interest among Indian innovators in securing technology development support and matching funds from the government. The TDB is working to process applications fairly and thoroughly despite the heavy volume.
What happens next
The TDB will continue evaluating the backlog of proposals from April and May 2026 and those received later, using its Investment Committee process. Once this evaluation is complete, the call for proposals will reopen. Additionally, the Department of Science & Technology or the National Research Foundation is in the process of assigning several other science led funding mechanisms in the near future.