The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) has invited proposals for pilot projects from startups developing innovative technologies in green hydrogen production and utilization.

Bids must be submitted by October 13, 2025.

Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an outlay of ₹194 billion (~$2.18 billion), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) intends to support pilot projects focused on the production and use of green hydrogen.

MNRE issued revised program guidelines for implementing pilot projects using green hydrogen and its derivatives in the residential, commercial, and decentralized sectors, which were previously not addressed in earlier programs.

The call for proposals to startups covering the development of innovative technologies in green hydrogen is being floated under this program.

Approved projects will receive financial support of up to ₹1 billion (~$11.27 million).

Each startup can receive financial support of up to ₹50 million (~$563,505) for each project or 80% of the total equipment cost, whichever is less.

The financial assistance will be released in phases, with 20% of the financial aid released upon award of the project and 20% released upon completion of the project, up to 25%. Additionally, 50% of the financial aid will be released upon 75% of the project’s completion. The remaining 10% will be released upon the project’s full completion.

Successful startups must submit a performance bank guarantee of 5% of the approved financial assistance that has been released to the startup.

Startups must be no older than 10 years and have an annual turnover of no more than ₹1 billion.

They must be working on emerging technologies related to hydrogen production, storage, transportation, safety, and application.

Selected startups will be supported for two years, which may be extended by up to one year based on a performance review and justified requirements.

In May 2025, MNRE and the European Union’s Trade and Technology Council (TTC) invited bids to generate renewable hydrogen from agricultural, forest, and industrial biogenic waste. MNRE and the TTC will provide joint funding of ₹900 million (~$10.57 million). A maximum of two projects can be funded under this proposal.