Social Startups Programme (Cohort 1)

Who can apply

• Under 40 years of age
• Graduate degree
• At least 3 years of ground-level work in the development sector
• Must intend to set up and lead a new civil society organisation as a first-time founder
• Not already a founder or co-founder of any registered organisation
• Willing to relocate to and commit long-term to one of the four focus geographies

What you get

• Monthly honorarium of ₹45,000 during the 8-month seeding phase (from 1 April 2027)
• One-month residential boot camp and supported fieldwork
• Hands-on help with registration, governance, compliance, finance, HR and programme design
• Pathway to a two-year grant of ₹15–20 lakh per year for those who meet milestones

A new Azim Premji Foundation programme for experienced development professionals who want to found and lead their own grassroots non-profit. About 100 people get a paid eight-month seeding phase to set up the organisation in Odisha, the North-East, Eastern UP or Bengaluru Urban, with a two-year seed grant open to those who hit their milestones. Applications close 31 Dec 2026. This is for founding a non-profit, not a for-profit startup. Selection: screening, document review, statement of purpose, online interview and in-person panel; results expected by Feb 2027. Focus themes include rural livelihoods, health, youth, disability, child welfare, Adivasi well-being and urban informal settlements.

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