S&T-PRISM — Grants of ₹50 Lakh to ₹2 Crore for Mining, Minerals, Metallurgy and Recycling Innovation
Innovation funding for a sector startups rarely reach
S&T-PRISM — Promotion of Research and Innovation in Mining, Minerals and Recycling Sector — is the Ministry of Mines' programme to bring startups and MSMEs into mining, mineral processing, metallurgy and recycling. It has two components: funding for startups and MSMEs, and grants of up to ₹10 crore for incubators that set up mining-focused incubation centres. The aim is the complete value chain — research, design, proof of concept, IPR, pilot and manufacturing.
Calls are annual. The fifth, announced on 1 March 2026, invited proposals from startups, MSMEs and individual innovators for projects of up to two years with a direct bearing on the mineral and metal sector, with special emphasis on critical minerals: exploration, mining, extraction, beneficiation, mineral processing, refining, metal and alloy development, recycling and waste utilisation.
Grant tiers
| Applicant | Grant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | Up to ₹50 lakh | Milestone-based, projects up to two years |
| MSME | Up to ₹1 crore | Milestone-based |
| Technology products needing higher funding | Up to ₹2 crore | On recommendation of the Technical Evaluation Committee and approval of the Project Sanctioning Committee |
| Incubators | Up to ₹10 crore | For mining-sector incubation centres |
- •Technical mentoring from the Ministry's research institutions — JNARDDC, NIRM, NIRMM and others
- •Access to industry partners and pilot sites through the programme
Ministry committees
Proposals submitted on the SATYABHAMA portal are screened, evaluated by the Technical Evaluation Committee, and sanctioned by the Project Sanctioning Committee chaired at the Ministry. Milestone reviews govern release.
Early-stage, mining-relevant, prototype-capable
- •Startup (DPIIT-recognised), MSME (Udyam-registered) or individual innovator
- •Technology with a direct bearing on mining, mineral processing, metallurgy, recycling or industrial applications of minerals
- •Capability, intent and promise to produce a functional prototype or productise an existing technology
- •Project duration up to two years
What the SATYABHAMA submission needs
- •Certificate of Incorporation, DPIIT or Udyam certificate, shareholding pattern
- •Project proposal in the Ministry's format: objectives, methodology, prototype plan, critical-mineral relevance, milestones, deliverables
- •Budget by head and year, with any own contribution
- •Team CVs and facilities; prior work and patents
- •Letters from partnering mines, plants or research institutes for pilots
- •Financial statements; declaration of other government funding
Questions founders ask about S&T-PRISM
Yes. Recycling and waste utilisation — e-waste, battery, slag and tailings — are within scope and emphasised for critical minerals.
Only for a technology product needing higher funding, up to ₹2 crore, on the Technical Evaluation Committee's recommendation.
No equity. IP and commercialisation terms follow the Ministry's guidelines; read the sanction letter for any revenue-share clause.
Calls have opened around March each year. Prepare through the year and file within the window.