The Azim Premji Foundation has launched its Social Startups Programme to support professionals seeking to establish new civil society organisations focused on addressing grassroots development challenges across India.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between experienced development-sector professionals and the financial resources, guidance and institutional support required to establish independent organisations. Through the programme, participants will receive financial assistance, mentorship and learning opportunities to understand community needs and build locally rooted organisations.
According to the Foundation, the initiative is distinct from its regular grants programme, which supports existing registered civil society organisations, including early-stage and established institutions.
Programme to Support 100 Participants Across Four Geographies
The first cohort will comprise approximately 100 participants across four geographies: Odisha, North-East India, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bengaluru Urban.
The programme will support initiatives working across several areas of social development, including rural livelihoods, healthcare, youth development, mental health, disability, children’s welfare and the well-being of Adivasi communities.
It will also cover work in urban informal settlements, including community sanitation and creche facilities, as well as welfare rights.
Commenting on the initiative, Rajib Ghosh, Head – Philanthropy at Azim Premji Foundation, said that more grassroots organisations are needed, particularly in underserved regions.
He highlighted that many professionals with experience working alongside communities understand local challenges and want to contribute more meaningfully. The programme aims to help these individuals establish and lead organisations of their own.
Who Can Apply for the Programme?
The Social Startups Programme is designed for professionals with experience in the development sector who intend to establish and lead a new civil society organisation.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be below 40 years of age.
- Hold a graduate degree.
- Have at least three years of ground-level experience in the development sector.
- Intend to establish and lead a new civil society organisation.
- Be willing to relocate and make a long-term commitment to their chosen geography.
Individuals who have already registered an organisation are not eligible to apply.
The programme particularly seeks applicants who have a strong understanding of community-level challenges and are committed to working in their selected regions.
Two-Phase Structure: Seeding Support and Seed Grants
The programme will be implemented in two phases, beginning with an eight-month seeding period.
During the first phase, selected participants will receive financial support to work directly with communities, understand local requirements and develop their proposed organisations.
They will also receive guidance on organisational registration, governance frameworks and statutory compliance requirements.
At the end of the seeding phase, participants are expected to have registered their respective organisations. They can then submit grant proposals for evaluation.
Applicants who meet the programme’s criteria may progress to the second phase and receive a two-year seed grant to establish and strengthen their organisations.
This structure is intended to help participants move from understanding grassroots challenges to building sustainable institutions capable of addressing them.
Applications Open Until December 31, 2026
Applications for the first cohort opened on November 1, 2026, and will remain open until December 31, 2026.
The selection process will include multiple stages, beginning with eligibility screening and document review. Applicants will also be required to submit a statement of purpose, participate in an online interview and attend an in-person panel discussion.
The eight-month seeding phase is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2027. Participants will subsequently undergo an assessment in November–December 2027 to determine their progression to the grant phase.
Strengthening India’s Grassroots Development Ecosystem
The launch of the Social Startups Programme reflects an effort to strengthen India’s civil society ecosystem by supporting individuals with practical development-sector experience.
By combining early-stage financial assistance, organisational guidance and the possibility of longer-term seed grants, the Foundation aims to encourage the creation of locally rooted institutions that can address community-specific challenges.
With its first cohort planned across four regions, the initiative seeks to support new social sector leaders and expand grassroots development efforts in underserved communities.
About Azim Premji Foundation
Azim Premji Foundation works towards building a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. The Foundation is engaged in education, healthcare and other areas of social development, partnering with governments, institutions, civil society organisations and communities across India.
By : Vanshika Tayal
