In a pioneering effort to advance gender diversity in the field of technology, the I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has launched a dedicated funding initiative aimed at empowering women in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. Announced in celebration of Women’s Day 2025, this initiative seeks to support women students, researchers, and faculty members by providing them with the necessary financial resources to transform their ideas into impactful innovations.
Under this program, eligible female innovators can receive funding of up to Rs 2 crore, enabling them to further their research, develop cutting-edge projects, or scale their startups. By fostering greater participation of women in emerging technological domains, IHFC aims to bridge the gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and create an inclusive ecosystem where women can thrive as leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs. This initiative aligns with IHFC’s broader mission to promote advancements in cobotics – collaborative robotics and allied technologies, reinforcing India’s position as a global hub for AI-driven innovation.
Eligibility Criteria
The funding opportunity is exclusively available to women associated with IIT Delhi, including alumni, researchers, students, academics, startups, and faculty members. The key eligibility requirements include
Age: 18 years and above
Must be a resident of India
Startup registration is mandatory (can be done in parallel while applying)
Women applicants should either own 100 per cent of their startup or hold at least 51 per cent ownership
Applicants must provide essential documents such as company registration certificates, GST registration certificates, and KYC documents, including promoters’ Aadhar and PAN cards. Additionally, they need to submit details of their shareholding pattern. Startups that are selected for funding will be required to provide further documentation, including constitution documents, a Memorandum of Association and Article of Association, and an annual report – covering one year for POC-based startups and three years for revenue-based startups. Furthermore, they must submit bank statements for the past six months, proof of business address, and a reference from an established incubator or institution.
Interested candidates must apply online by March 20, 2025, through the provided application link. The selection process involves multiple stages to ensure a thorough evaluation. Initially, the IHFC team will conduct an initial screening to shortlist proposals based on the submitted applications. In Round 1, selected startups will present their ideas to the IHFC team. Round 2 will involve an expert evaluation of the shortlisted proposals to assess their feasibility and potential. Finally, in Round 3, candidates will be selected based on the innovation and impact potential of their proposals.
Encouraging Women in STEM
This initiative by IIT Delhi aims to bridge the gender gap in AI and Robotics by offering significant financial support to women-led innovations. By fostering entrepreneurship and research among women, the program is expected to drive technological advancements and empower more women in STEM fields.
Applications are open till March 20, 2025. Interested candidates can apply through the official link: Apply Here
