TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
FUND - ECONOMY
News: DRDO
sanctions seven new projects to the private sector under Technology Development
Fund scheme.
What’s in the news?
Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme: Empowering
Indigenous Defence Technologies
Initiative Overview:
- The
Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme is a flagship program led by the
Ministry of Defence and executed by the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Objectives:
- Grant
in Aid:
- Provide
financial support to Indian industries, including MSMEs and Start-ups, as
well as academic and scientific institutions.
- Focus on the
development of Defence and dual-use technologies currently unavailable in
the Indian defence industry.
- Engagement
with Private Industries:
- Cultivate a
culture of Design & Development of Military Technology, especially in
private industries, with a focus on MSMEs and Start-ups.
- Niche
Technologies:
- Emphasize
Research, Design & Development of niche technologies, particularly
those being developed for the first time in the country.
- Collaborative
Ecosystem:
- Create a
collaborative platform involving the Armed Forces, research
organizations, academia, qualifying/certifying agencies, and private
sector entities.
- Prototype
Development:
- Support
futuristic technologies by providing funding for Proof of Concept,
transforming them into prototypes.
Funding Support:
- Grant
Provision:
- Funding
through grants to the industry.
- Consideration
of project costs up to INR 10 Cr for funding, up to a maximum of 90% of
the total project cost.
- Collaboration
Dynamics:
- Industries
allowed to collaborate with academia or research institutions.
- Academic
involvement capped at 40% of the total project cost.
Project Duration:
- Timeframe:
Maximum development period set at two years.