GrantEducation Department / Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat, Govt. of Gujarat

Gujarat Student Startup and Innovation Policy 2.0 — PoC Grant

Proof-of-Concept grants of up to ₹2.5 Lakhs for student innovators and early-stage student startups at Gujarat higher education institutions, under the Student Startup and Innovation Policy 2.0 (SSIP 2.0). Access is exclusively through the applicant's institution SSIP cell — the institution first evaluates, shortlists, and forwards proposals to the state SSIP office. Gujarat is one of few states with dedicated student innovation funding at this scale. Hardware, AI, rural innovation, and sustainability-focused projects are prioritised. Applications must be supported by a faculty mentor and institution SSIP coordinator.

Maximum amount

₹2.5L

Typical payout

₹1.0L

Processing time

8–20 weeks

Application window

Annual cohort — institution SSIP cells collect proposals from September to November each year.

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Eligibility criteria

Company type: Private Limited, LLP, One Person Company, Proprietorship
Stage: Idea Stage, Pre-Revenue
States: Gujarat
Sectors: ai, iot, agritech, cleantech, healthtech, edtech, manufacturing, other

Documents required

Aadhaar Card (Student Applicant)

Aadhaar card of the student innovator (lead applicant) for identity verification. For team applications, submit Aadhaar of all team members listed in the proposal.

Tip: Aadhaar must be linked to your mobile number for OTP-based verification on the SSIP portal. If any team member is a foreign national or NRI student, contact your institution SSIP coordinator for alternate identity document guidance.

PAN Card (Student or Entity)

PAN card of the student applicant or the startup entity if the student team has incorporated. Required for grant disbursement compliance.

Tip: If the student has not yet obtained a PAN, apply at incometax.gov.in — instant PAN is available with Aadhaar-OTP authentication. Funds are disbursed to the individual or entity PAN holder registered in the SSIP portal.

Institution Enrollment Proof

Current enrollment certificate or bonafide letter from the Gujarat higher education institution confirming the student is enrolled in a recognised degree programme. Proof that the applicant is an active student at the applying institution.

Tip: Request the bonafide certificate from the institution's registrar or student affairs office. It must mention the course name, year of study, and the institution's SSIP cell stamp. Alumni are not eligible — current enrollment is mandatory.

SSIP Innovation Proposal

Detailed innovation proposal in the prescribed SSIP format, covering the problem statement, proposed solution, novelty and differentiation, technology approach, prototype plan, 12-month milestones, and team background. The primary evaluation document reviewed by the institution SSIP committee and state SSIP office.

Tip: Use the SSIP proposal template from ssipgujarat.in exactly — non-standard formats are returned at the institution level without review. Gujarat-specific problems (agri, water, dairy, SME automation) are given priority in scoring.

Incubator / Institution SSIP Endorsement Letter

Faculty mentor endorsement letter and institution SSIP cell recommendation forwarding the proposal to the state SSIP office. Both the faculty mentor and the SSIP coordinator must sign the forwarding letter. Personal applications bypassing the institution SSIP cell are not accepted.

Tip: Invest time in building a relationship with your institution's SSIP coordinator early. The coordinator's enthusiasm for your project significantly influences which proposals get forwarded to the state level.

Bank Account Details

Bank account details for grant disbursement — either the student innovator's savings account or the institution's designated SSIP escrow account, depending on the disbursement channel used by the institution.

Tip: Clarify with your institution SSIP cell whether funds come directly to students or via the institution's account. If through the institution, ensure timely withdrawal and utilisation reporting to avoid tranche delays.

How to apply for Gujarat SSIP 2.0

Download the SSIP 2.0 proposal template from ssipgujarat.in and prepare your innovation proposal. Connect with a faculty mentor and your institution's SSIP coordinator before starting.Open portal

Submit the completed proposal through your institution's SSIP cell during the annual collection window (September–November). The institution SSIP committee shortlists proposals before forwarding to the state SSIP office.

The state SSIP office evaluates forwarded proposals with external expert reviewers. Shortlisted teams receive a sanction letter and sign a milestone agreement specifying prototype completion dates and deliverables.

First grant tranche released after milestone agreement signing. Use funds for component procurement, prototyping, and testing — maintain all expenditure receipts for utilisation reporting.

Submit milestone completion reports with prototype evidence (photos/video and test data) and expenditure receipts to your institution SSIP cell. Subsequent tranches released after milestone verification.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for Gujarat SSIP 2.0?

Gujarat SSIP 2.0 is available to Private Limited, LLP, One Person Company, Proprietorship companies at the Idea Stage, Pre-Revenue stage, across Gujarat.

How much funding does Gujarat SSIP 2.0 provide?

Gujarat SSIP 2.0 provides up to ₹2.5L. Most applicants receive around ₹1.0L.

How long does Gujarat SSIP 2.0 approval take?

The typical processing time from submission to disbursement is 8–20 weeks.

Is Gujarat SSIP 2.0 currently accepting applications?

Yes, Gujarat SSIP 2.0 is currently active and accepting applications. Application window: Annual cohort — institution SSIP cells collect proposals from September to November each year..

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Information is based on publicly available scheme guidelines. Always verify with official sources before applying.