M.G. UNIVERSITY
INVITES PROPOSALS
UNDER '
RESEARCH INCUBATION
PROGRAMME'
For making revolutionary impact at the higher education sector of Kerala,
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam invites application for the ‘Research
Incubation Programme’ funded by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM). The
programme aims to translate innovative research findings into commercially
viable products/technology/services.
As per the scheme, Faculty members of
University/Colleges, Scientists/Post-Doctoral Fellows/Research Scholars/Post
Graduates (P.G. students who completed their final year projects) and alumni all
over Kerala are eligible to apply.
The project aims to generate job opportunities
and economic growth of state of Kerala by establishing a vibrant startup
ecosystem at higher education sector with the ultimate objective to transform
Kerala into a globally demanding startup hub.
The selected 20 applicants will receive a Startup Grant upto Rs 5 lakhs as
tranche.
Major thrust areas include Life Science/Biotechnology, Healthcare,
Medical Device Technology, Water Conservation, Environment, Climatic
Change, Nanotechnology, Food and Agriculture, Fisheries, Assistive
Technologies, Energy/Renewables, Value Addition/Waste Management,
Pharmaceutical Science, Business, Tourism, Artificial Intelligence, Machine
Learning, Engineering, Rural Technology. Registration is open till 30th
September.
Registration link is given below.
https://forms.gle/5pfNpc8c7ZnsBAaG7 For detailed guidelines visit
https://www.mgu.ac.in/
Contact : 9400039634
GUIDELINES
of
RESEARCH INCUBATION PROGRAMME
Implemented by
MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY
Funded by
KERALA STARTUP MISSION (KSUM)
1. Programme in brief
For transforming the higher education sector of Kerala, the project Research
Incubation Programme has been initiated at Mahatma Gandhi University, funded
by the Kerala Startup Mission. The major objective of the programme is to
promote entrepreneurship among the research community and to support the
translation of potential research outcomes into commercial products. Through the
programme financial assistance, mentorship, incubation support etc. will be
provided for the conversion of innovative research leads into
products/technology/applications. For the same, the selected applicants will be
awarded a startup grant of up to Rs. 5 lakhs as per the submitted proposal.
2. Objectives of the Programme
● To convert innovative research outcomes into market-ready
products/technology/services and to support the early-stage growth of
enterprises
● To provide financial assistance for proof of concept, prototype
development, product trials, company registration, market entry and
commercialization
● To build a startup ecosystem in the State of Kerala for sustainable
economic growth and to create large-scale employment opportunities
3. Targets and outcome
The programme targets to facilitate and enable a minimum of 20 startups that
are commercially viable and technically feasible with societal impact.
4. Thrust areas
● Engineering and Future Technologies
● Life Science/Biotechnology
● Healthcare and Medical Device Technology
● Water Conservation
● Environment, Climatic Change, Disaster Management
● Nanotechnology
● Food and Agriculture
● Fisheries
● Assistive Technologies
● Energy/Renewables/Biofuel
● Value Addition/Waste Management
● Pharmaceutical Science
● Business, Tourism
● Rural Technology
● Social Entrepreneurship
5. Project Duration
The duration of the selected project will be a maximum period of 8 months from
the date of contract signing. The startup grant of up to Rs. 5 lakhs will be awarded
in a milestone-based manner for the establishment of the successful startup
business. The extension of the project duration is subject to approval by the
Assessment Committee constituted for the same.
6. Support provided to grantees under this programme
❖ Financial
● Startup grant disbursement will be milestone-based (3 months period) and
will be released as 2 instalments
● 1
st instalment - After signing of the contract, 50% of the sanctioned amount
will be awarded
● 2
nd instalment - After completion of the 1st milestone and submission and
evaluation of the report the remaining 50% will be awarded
❖ Entrepreneurial
● Skill development training
● Technical mentoring (connect with technical experts)
● Intellectual Property (IP) support
● Legal support for company registration
● Networking and outreach
● Regulatory advice
● Business mentoring
● Connect with investors
● Training on a case basis
7. Eligibility Criteria
● Faculty members from universities or Colleges /Scientists/Ph.D./PostDoc/Post Graduates registered with an accredited Research
Organization/University/College/Academic Institution within Kerala, where
the institutional policies allow them to create a start-up
● Those who have completed the Post Doc, Ph.D or PG with commercially
viable scientific research outcome can also apply under the category as
Alumni. If selected, they have to submit a consent letter from the host
institution where the startup incubation will be carried out in Kerala
● Applicant can be an individual or a team (with max 3 members). In the case
of a team, the name of the Project Leader should be mentioned specifically
and the details of proposed mentor should be mentioned while applying. If
4
selected consent letter from the mentor should be provided. The mentor may
not be required when the team has a faculty member/scientist as a team
member. In such a case, only the student applicant can be the Project Leader.
● The consent letter from the mentor for the selected candidates should be on
the letterhead stating his/her willingness to support the project and also to
ensure proper utilisation of the sanctioned amount
● The mentor may not be compulsory in the case where the applicant is a
scientist/ faculty member
● Existing startups (or their promoter shareholder) are not allowed to apply for
the grant as the programme is intended to generate new startups from the
researchers.
8. Selection criteria
● Novelty
● Technical feasibility
● Commercial viability
● Applicant strength
● Commercialization plan
9. How to apply?
Interested applicants may fill out the google form given below and submit it on or
before September 30, 2022.
https://forms.gle/5pfNpc8c7ZnsBAaG7
10. General instructions
● The applicant should be an Indian citizen
5
● The project leader should upload his/her resume and a scanned image of any
Govt. approved identity proof (Aadhar card/Driving
Licence/Passport/Institutional ID card )
● The applicant or project leader in the case of a team should manage the
funds through a separate no-lien bank account
● The project leader is advised to sign NDA(Non-Disclosure Agreement ) with
the proposed mentor if selected
● The applicant selected for the grant is encouraged to incorporate a startup
during the project period. Startup incorporation is not mandatory during the
application filing/processing. The startup, if generated, should be registered
as a legal entity registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs
(OPC/LLP/Pvt Ltd). In the case of an application submitted by the team, the
mentioned project leader needs to be a promoter-shareholder in the new
start-up.
● If the applicant is formally employed (or registered as a student) with an
academic or research organization, then he/she has to produce a No
Objection Certificate (NOC) from the competent authority of the
organization clearly indicating that the organization has policies to allow the
applicant while in service/ on sabbatical/on extraordinary leave to create a
startup
● The first round of screening will be done by reviewing the application
● The second round of screening will be a pitch presentation before an
Evaluation Panel
● The applicants recommended by the Evaluation Panel will be selected for
the grant
● The grant will be disbursed as money in instalments after executing an
agreement with the grantees
● The grant will be released in successive instalments only after the
performance review against milestones, verification of audited Utilisation
Certificate/Statement of Expenditure and report submission
● Review meetings will be conducted every month to assess the progress of
the work and report submission is mandatory.
● If the project is failed or discontinued, then no further grant support will be
extended to the grantee and will be considered the project to be closed. The
entire outstanding amount as on the date of closure will become due and
payable within 120 days or as mutually agreed between the grantee and M.
G. University.
● Requests for change in a proposal once submitted will not be entertained.
● It is important to ensure that the IP generated (if any) need not have to face
any difficulty during the commercialization phase
● Applicants shall not have any actual or/and potential conflict of interest with
the Research Incubation Program selection process and during the whole
programme
● All projects should end with a working prototype (on case to case basis) in 8
months duration and has to be displayed during the final Demo Day.
11. Guidelines for usage of funds
● Manpower: The project leader nor the team members cannot receive salary/
stipend/ fellowship from two sources simultaneously (the project grant and
any other source). If the project leader is not receiving any financial support
as salary/fellowship, 10% of the sanctioned amount may be given as per the
request made and also with the approval of the Assessment Committee. The
proposed mentor shall serve as an honorary advisor and cannot draw
monetary benefits from the sanctioned grant.
● Prototyping cost: Capped at 50% of the grant
● Consumables/raw materials: Capped at 20% of the grant
● Expenses incurred for setting up of the startup (Company/LLP) - Limited to
the maximum of Rs. 25,000/-
● Travel and contingency: Capped at 7.5% of the grant
12. What is not supported?
● Basic/exploratory research projects below the Technology Readiness
Level (TRL) 3 category (Refer Fig. below)
● Projects having a low element of novelty
● Projects including software development/ basic academic research
will not be supported
Deployment
9 Actual system proven in operational environment
Supported by
Research Incubation
Programme
8 System complete and qualified
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