DST to Accept Applications for R&D Fund Managers Starting January 12, 2026
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will begin accepting applications for Second Level Fund Managers (SLFM) for the Union Government's R&D fund on January 12, 2026, with approvals expected by the end of the month. Applications from industries and startups will be processed starting February, as part of the Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) initiative, which aims to boost private-sector investment in R&D with a budget of ₹1 lakh crore over six years. Key focus areas include energy security, climate action, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.
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The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will open applications for Second Level Fund Managers (SLFM) for the Union Government's R&D fund on January 12, 2026. The SLFM approvals for government agencies, including the Technology Development Board and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), are expected to be finalized by the end of January.
Applications from industries and startups will be processed starting February 2026, with a submission deadline for SLFMs set for January 31, 2026. The Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF), approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2024, aims to stimulate private-sector investment in R&D with a total outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over six years, including ₹20,000 crore for FY 2025-26. Priority sectors include energy security, climate action, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence, among others.
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