Call for Applications

Fellowship Grant

From The Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi to Accelerate Community Innovations in Battery Energy Storage in India

Application deadline: February 25, 2025

About the Program

India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 underscores the need for innovative solutions that directly empower local communities. Batteries hold immense potential to transform energy access and resilience at the community level, offering sustainable, scalable solutions for rural development, energy equity, and livelihood enhancement.

Applications are invited for the ‘Fellowship Grant from The Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi to Accelerate Community Innovations in Battery Energy Storage in India’ programme, supported by The Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi and Innovation Norway in collaboration with AIC ISB. Shortlisted proposals will receive mentorship and financial support to advance their innovations.

The fellowship programme consists of two phases, each lasting 3 months. During this time, each candidate will be hosted at AIC ISB and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi. They will gain awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), develop entrepreneurial skills, and explore concepts of the circular economy. A total of 12 fellowships will be awarded. The mode of mentoring will be online; therefore, no relocation is necessary.

Focus Areas

The fellowship aims to foster innovation in battery energy storage, focusing on community-level applications that enhance energy accessibility, sustainability, and resilience.

It seeks to support aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs in developing battery solutions tailored to rural and urban communities, emphasizing decentralized energy systems, renewable integration, and livelihood-enhancing applications such as solar-powered water pumps, cold storage units, and microgrids. It aims to address challenges in battery recycling, disposal, and resource efficiency, promoting sustainable and circular economy principles in battery applications. It seeks proposals that demonstrate originality, benefit to the local community, technical feasibility, and potential for real-world implementation, with a focus on sustainability, environmental impact, and contribution to the circular economy.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
  • Applicant must be 18-year-old or above.
  • Open to all educational backgrounds.
  • Applicant must have a valid PAN card.
  • Applicant must be a resident or working in Punjab or the idea must already be implemented or have the potential to be implemented in Punjab
  • Gender equity is encouraged.
  • Candidates with ideas at the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) stage will be given preference.

Program Benefits

Fellowship up to INR 2 Lakhs
Dedicated Mentorship and Regional Support

The AIC will offer personalized mentorship from subject matter experts and facilitate strategic connections with key partners through local partnerships and ecosystem networks.

Idea Refinement and Strategic Guidance

The AIC will work closely with candidates to refine their ideas, develop actionable roadmaps, and address potential challenges during both phases of the fellowship.

Access to Resources and Expertise

AIC will connect the selected candidates with relevant resources and address technical or operational barriers.

Preparation for Market Readiness and Practical Implementation

The AIC will prepare candidates to implement their innovations practically and make them market ready. Alongside this, candidates will enhance their awareness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), entrepreneurial skills, and life skills.

  • Selected candidates will be mentored by AIC ISB and TERI on SDG awareness, entrepreneurial skills, and life skills.
  • The innovation must engage the local community and benefit it through its implementation.
  • The duration of Phase I is three months.
  • At the end of Phase I, candidates will be evaluated to adjudge that their innovation meets the following criteria:
    • Useful for the local community and implementable.
    • Sustainable and environmentally friendly.
    • Contributes to the circular economy.
    • Shows potential for commercialization or scaling.
  • Candidates selected for Phase-II will receive an additional grant to develop prototypes, commercialize the innovation, or implement it in the community.
  • The duration of Phase II is three months.

FAQs

What is the Fellowship Amount under this Program?
  • Candidates selected for Phase I will receive a grant of ₹1 Lakh. The grant will be disbursed in two instalments: 50% at the start and the remaining 50% upon successful completion of Phase I.
  • Candidates advancing to Phase II will be awarded an additional grant of ₹1 Lakh. The grant will be disbursed in two instalments: 50% at the start and the remaining 50% upon successful completion of Phase II.

The received applications will undergo a verification check, followed by evaluation based on the following parameters through an interview:

  • Relevance and applicability to the local community, with potential for implementation.
  • Sustainability and environmental friendliness.
    Contribution to the circular economy.
  • Potential for commercialization or scalability.