Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme

Technology Development Fund (TDF) has been established to promote self-reliance in Defence Technology as a part of the 'Make in India' initiative. It is a programme of the Ministry of Defence. This programme is executed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) to meet the requirements of the Tri-Services, Defence Production and DRDO. The Scheme encourages participation of public/private industries, especially MSMEs and startups, so as to create an ecosystem for enhancing cutting-edge technology capability in the defence sector.

Objective:

• The Scheme aims to provide a major fillip to the defence manufacturing sector by encouraging the industry to innovate on defence technologies, in order to place India on the self-reliance trajectory. In addition to providing the grants-in-aid for the development of indigenous technology, the Scheme also provides the industry with various benefits.

Vision:

Building an ecosystem for enhancing cutting-edge technology capability for defence manufacturing to meet the requirements of Tri-Services, Defence Production and DRDO.

Mission:

Creating an ecosystem for promoting self-reliance by building indigenous state-of-the-art systems for defence applications.

Project Duration:

Maximum development period will be four (4) years.

Focus Areas:

• Significant upgradation/ improvements/developments in the existing products/processes/applications.
• Technology readiness level upgradation from TRL 3 onwards to realization of products as per Tri-Services requirements.
• Development of futuristic technologies/innovative products which can be useful for defence applications.
• Import substitution of components whose technologies do not exist in the Indian industry.
• The scheme will be limited to development of technologies or prototypes of products having potential use for National Defence.

Funding Support:

• The project cost of up to INR 50,00,00,000/- will be considered for funding.
• The funding may be up to 90% of the total project cost.
• Industry may work in collaboration with academia or research institutions.
• The funding will be linked to mutually agreed milestones.
• Funds will be released either in advance against a bank guarantee of the same amount as collateral, or reimbursement based on the completion of milestones.
• Subsequent installments will be released on successful completion of milestones.

Purpose of Funding Support:

• Aims to provide financial assistance to startups for prototype development and trials.
• Proposes to target nascent startups for project requirements inclusive of funding support of up to 20% to the incubators associated with the startup.
• Option to create partnerships with academia, where the contribution of the academia is up to 40% of the total project effort.

• Public limited company, a private limited company, a partnership firm, a limited liability partnership, one-person company, sole proprietorship registered as per applicable Indian laws registered in India especially MSMEs and Startups.
• Startup must be recognized by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as per Government of India (GOI) guidelines.
• Startup incorporated for less than 3 years from date of submission of application will be considered as nascent startups.
• Nascent Startup should be incubated at one of the Central/State government assisted incubators.
• Startup should not have received any grants/grants-in-aid by any government scheme for a similar technology.
• The startup must be owned and controlled by a Resident Indian citizen with a shareholding of at least 51%.

Online

Registration process:

• Every interested Industry /Technology expert/Academia must first register on the TDF portal: https://tdf.drdo.gov.in/user/custom-popup- Click on "Proceed to Login" button and then click on "Register".- Fill Name, Contact Details, Organisation Name and choose your value in "Register As" and in "Focus Area" option.- Click on the Check Box For Self-declaration of being an Indian Company with 51% of stakes with a Resident Indian Citizen.
• Agree to the Terms and Conditions by clicking the check box.
• Verify the captcha then click on "Register" button.
  

Post-Registration process:

• Visit: https://tdf.drdo.gov.in/user/custom-popup- Click on "Proceed to Login" button and enter Email, Password and verify the captcha.- Click on "Login" button and furnish all the details as required.

For release of subsequent installments, the DAs shall be required to submit the following documents:

1. Detailed Project Update Report
2. Utilization Certificate & Statement of Expenses (UC & SE)
3. Certificate from Chartered Accountant