GrantDepartment of Space (IN-SPACe)Verified 14 May 2026Official source

IN-SPACe Seed Fund Scheme

IN-SPACe Seed Fund Scheme provides early-stage funding of up to ₹1 crore to space-sector startups and MSMEs developing space technology and applications. Funds are disbursed on a milestone basis across 3 or more installments, enabling structured early-stage development and de-risking of space innovations.

Maximum amount

₹1.0Cr

Typical payout

₹75.0L

Processing time

10–17 weeks

Application window

Cohort-based; specific Announcement of Opportunities windows issued periodically on the IN-SPACe Digital Platform.

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Eligibility criteria

Company type: Private Limited, LLP
Stage: Idea Stage, Pre-Revenue, Early Stage (Revenue < ₹1Cr)
States: All India (nationwide)
Sectors: aerospace, deeptech

Documents required

DPIIT Startup Recognition Certificate

Valid DPIIT Startup Recognition Certificate for entities applying under the startup track (conditional — either DPIIT recognition or Udyam registration required; submit whichever applies).

Tip: Download the latest certificate from startupindia.gov.in before applying — expired recognition is not accepted. DPIIT recognition must be valid as of the application date.

Udyam Registration Certificate

Valid Udyam Registration Certificate for entities applying as MSMEs under the MSME track (conditional — either Udyam or DPIIT recognition required; submit whichever applies).

Tip: The Udyam certificate must reflect an active micro or small enterprise status; confirm eligibility category on the IN-SPACe IDP before submitting.

PAN Card

PAN card of the entity for identity and tax compliance verification.

Tip: Entity PAN is required for incorporated entities; ensure the name on PAN matches all other registration documents exactly.

Memorandum and Articles of Association (MoA / AoA)

Memorandum and Articles of Association confirming the entity's legal structure, incorporated activities, and Indian management control.

Tip: The MoA object clause should cover space technology or relevant deep-tech activities; overly generic object clauses may attract additional scrutiny during desktop screening.

Shareholding Pattern (Indian Management Control Proof)

Detailed current shareholding pattern demonstrating that Indian nationals maintain management control of the entity, as required under Indian Space Policy.

Tip: If the entity has foreign investors, prepare a CA-certified shareholding statement to clearly demonstrate Indian management control. Absence of this proof is one of the most common reasons for desktop screening rejection.

Technical Proposal (Space Technology Concept)

Comprehensive technical proposal describing the space technology or application being developed, the current development stage, the commercial use case, target customers, and a milestoned budget breakdown.

Tip: Clearly state the space segment your solution addresses (satellite, launch, ground segment, or applications); vague proposals are sent back for clarification. Include quantified milestones that map directly to planned disbursement tranches.

Audited Financial Statements (Last 3 Years or Since Incorporation)

CA-audited financial statements, balance sheets, and profit & loss accounts for the last 3 financial years, or all years since incorporation if the entity is less than 3 years old.

Tip: Very early-stage entities should submit all available audited years and supplement with management accounts or a CA certificate for the current period. Document the gap explicitly to avoid rejection.

No-Double-Dipping Self-Declaration

Signed self-declaration confirming that no financial support has been claimed from any other central or state government body for the same project or activity being proposed under the IN-SPACe Seed Fund.

Tip: The declaration must reference the specific project — generic compliance declarations are not accepted. If any component of the technology received prior public funding, delineate the funded scope from the new Seed Fund scope explicitly.

Application Fee Payment Receipt (₹5,000)

Payment receipt confirming remittance of the non-refundable ₹5,000 application fee through the IN-SPACe Digital Platform payment gateway at time of submission. No canonical key exists for application fee receipts.

Tip: The fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome; upload the IDP-generated receipt — third-party payment proofs are not accepted.

Patent / IP Documentation or Technology Transfer Agreement

Existing patent grant, provisional patent filing receipt, or technology transfer agreement if the concept was acquired from a third party (conditional — only if IP has been filed or technology was externally sourced).

Tip: Provisional filing receipt is acceptable at this stage. For externally acquired technologies, include the full licensing agreement so evaluators can confirm the startup holds sufficient rights to commercialize.

Academic / Expert Collaboration MoU or Letter of Intent

Letter of Intent or MoU detailing the roles of domain experts, academic institutions, or research advisors involved in the project (conditional — if academic or expert collaboration is central to the technical approach). No canonical key exists for collaboration LoIs.

Tip: IITs, IISc, ISRO-affiliated labs, and CSIR centres carry significant weight in Seed Fund evaluation. Name specific individuals and their technical deliverables — generic letters of support do not strengthen the application.

How to apply for IN-SPACe Seed Fund

Create an account on the IN-SPACe Digital Platform (IDP) with corporate details, email verification, and mobile OTP.Open portal

Log in and navigate to Opportunities → select 'Seed Fund Scheme' from the active Announcement of Opportunities windows.Open portal

Complete the technical questionnaire covering the space technology concept, development stage, commercial use case, target customers, and itemized milestone budget. Upload all mandatory documents in PDF format.

Pay the non-refundable ₹5,000 application fee through the IDP payment gateway and upload the payment receipt.

Desktop screening — IN-SPACe technical team verifies eligibility criteria, shareholding pattern, and completeness of uploaded files within 15 working days.

Expert Committee (EC) technical evaluation — shortlisted startups present their technology concept, market viability, and commercial roadmap to the EC panel.

Inter-ministerial consultations to verify compliance with the Indian Space Policy 2023 and ensure no regulatory conflicts.

Formal approval — EC finalises the funding quantum (up to ₹1 crore) and issues binding project milestones for each disbursement tranche.

Milestone-based disbursement — initial installment of up to 40% of the approved grant is credited to the designated bank account. Subsequent tranches require submission of verified progress reports and Audited Fund Utilization Certificates.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for IN-SPACe Seed Fund?

IN-SPACe Seed Fund is available to Private Limited, LLP companies at the Idea Stage, Pre-Revenue, Early Stage (Revenue < ₹1Cr) stage, across all Indian states (nationwide).

How much funding does IN-SPACe Seed Fund provide?

IN-SPACe Seed Fund provides up to ₹1.0Cr. Most applicants receive around ₹75.0L.

How long does IN-SPACe Seed Fund approval take?

The typical processing time from submission to disbursement is 10–17 weeks.

Is IN-SPACe Seed Fund currently accepting applications?

Yes, IN-SPACe Seed Fund is currently active and accepting applications. Application window: Cohort-based; specific Announcement of Opportunities windows issued periodically on the IN-SPACe Digital Platform..

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Information is based on publicly available scheme guidelines. Last verified 14 May 2026. Always verify with official sources before applying.