Cummins CSR Grants for Startups in India

Deadline: 13 April 2025

Applications are now open for Venture Center and Cummins India Foundation to support entrepreneurs/start ups working on technologies in clean energy and environment domains and generating potential social impact.

This grant provides assistance for pilot trials, field testing, technology implementation, proof of concept (POC), and prototyping efforts.

Funding Information

Grant upto 20 lakhs.
Duration of the project should be only up to 6 months.

Focus Areas

Energy & Environment
Energy efficiency
Renewable/Alternative Energy
Air Pollution
Provisions for drinking water
Waste to Value/waste management
Circular economy
Biomass utilisation
Carbon capture & utilization

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants will be selected based upon the following criteria:
- Soundness of the technology idea
- Innovativeness of the idea and knowledge intensity
- Strength of the team to deliver on technology and business goals
- Value proposition of the customer offerings
- Business model
- Commercial potential
- Scalability and potential for impact
- Budget Timeline requirements

Ineligibility Criteria

Pure software development with no IP potential
Pure academic research

Eligibility for Project Leaders for Projects

Every project proposal will need to identify a Project Leader (PL) and an Applicant/Grantee
Applicant or Grantee should be a company or an early stage individual innovator. The Company should be registered under the Indian Companies Act, 2013.
The company should be owned by resident Indian citizens i.e. minimum 51% of the capital is beneficially owned by resident Indian citizen(s) and/or Indian companies, which are ultimately owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.
In case of an Individual applicant, the applicant should be the Project Leader (PL).
The PL will be an individual who will take responsibility for executing the project.
PL is required to be at least 18 years of age as on the date of call for applications.
PL is required to be an Indian Citizen. An Indian citizen is defined as one who is in possession of a government approved proof of nationality such as a valid passport, voter’s id etc. Exceptional cases of foreign nationals with potential for impact in India will be considered.
PL has to pursue the project or startup full time with no other concurrent commitments during the project duration.
PL cannot be pursuing a long-term academic/research project (like doctoral students) with significant obligations during the project duration.
PL must have completed basic undergraduate training in natural sciences/engineering/medicine. Essential qualification is PhD/MTech/ BTech/BPharm/MD/MBBS/BDS/MSc/MPhil/M Des/MPH/MBA/MSW and equivalents, with under‐ graduate training in Science, Medicine, Engineering. Applicants with a BSc degree with at least 1 year of full-time work or research experience shall also be eligible.

Selection Criteria