Grant · India
The Ministry of Defence challenge in which startups, MSMEs and individual innovators build prototypes for problem statements set by the armed forces. Selected applicants receive up to ₹1.5 crore in milestone-based tranches.
Closed Run by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Defence Innovation Organisation, Ministry of Defence
Verified 19 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages
DISC 14 carried 82 problem statements from the defence forces, the Indian Coast Guard and the Defence Space Agency. Separate iDEX tracks (ADITI, iDEX Prime, the Open Challenge) have their own calls and larger grants.
DISC 12 re-opened (one problem statement): applications closed 15 July 2026.
Usual timing: DISC 15 had not been announced on 19 October 2026. Recent editions were launched in October 2024 (DISC 13) and March 2026 (DISC 14).
| Cohort | Opens | Closes | Starts | Demo day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DISC 14 | not published | 4 May 2026 | not published | not published |
| DISC 12 re-opened (one problem statement) | not published | 15 July 2026 | not published | not published |
Other grants that share a sector with Defence India Startup Challenge (iDEX DISC) or run in India.
DST pre-incubation scheme that gives individual innovators and early startups a prototyping grant of up to ₹20 lakh, or up to ₹40 lakh for deeptech, through host incubators known as PRAYAS Centres.
Funding not published · equity not published
MeitY scheme delivered through a network of incubators that funds IT-based startups: up to ₹4 lakh from idea to proof of concept, up to ₹7 lakh for prototypes and up to ₹40 lakh for product development and market outreach.
Funding not published · equity not published
The US defence department's SBIR and STTR programmes for US small businesses, run through annual Broad Agency Announcements and Commercial Solutions Openings with topics released monthly.
Funding not published · equity-free
An Austrian grant for deep tech founders before or just after incorporation, funding a proof of concept or prototype based on applied research over one to two years.
Funding not published · equity-free
A French state grant of up to EUR 90,000 for deeptech startups registered in France for less than a year, covering part of the costs of maturing and validating a technology project over 12 to 18 months.
Funding not published · equity not published
Department of Energy grants for US small businesses working on energy and science technologies, in phases from feasibility (Phase I) to development and prototyping (Phase II).
Funding not published · equity-free
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