Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program 2025 | INR 1.75 Lakh Grant
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 8, 2025
- 3 min read
If you are a passionate young changemaker driven to make a sustainable impact, the applications for the Schaeffler India Social Innovator Fellowship Program 2025 are now open! This prestigious initiative by Schaeffler India offers not just grant support but also an immersive mentorship and networking journey. Below is everything you need to know to apply and succeed.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: India
Sponsor: Schaeffler India (CSR initiative HOPE) in collaboration with IIMA Ventures (IIM Ahmedabad)
Level: Fellowship for social innovators/development stage entrepreneurs
Target Group: Indian residents aged 18–35; individuals, groups, or for-profit/non-profit entities; early-stage startups or NGOs with working prototypes allowed; no established commercial ventures
Fields of Focus:
Environmental Sustainability
Renewable Energy
Carbon Neutrality
Circular Economy
Natural Resource Management
Application of Technology in the Social Sector
Value & Coverage: INR 1.75 lakh grant; 24-week hybrid mentorship with IIMA Ventures; access to Schaeffler India’s innovation network and ecosystem
Duration: 24 weeks of mentorship and support
Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
Start Date: After selection, fellowship runs for 24 weeks following the mentoring schedule (exact start TBD)
📚 Fellowship Overview
This is the fourth edition of the program, under Schaeffler India’s HOPE CSR initiative, designed to empower young innovators developing scalable, sustainable tech or social solutions across six thematic areas .
Selected fellows will participate in:
A rigorous multi-stage selection process including telephonic/virtual interviews and a final pitch presentation evaluated by a distinguished jury comprising Schaeffler India leadership and India Accelerator (IIMA Ventures) experts .
A 24-week hybrid mentorship, offering workshops, masterclasses, bootcamps, and one-on-one mentoring to refine prototypes, build GTM strategies, and enhance scalability and sustainability—designed and delivered by IIMA Ventures .
Engagement in a vibrant innovation community, with networking opportunities, peer collaboration, and access to industry partners and ecosystem partners via India Accelerator and Schaeffler India’s network .
🎁 Programme Benefits
Financial Support: INR 1.75 lakh grant for each of the 10 fellows
Mentorship: 24-week hybrid program hosted by IIMA Ventures, IIM Ahmedabad
Networking: Access to Schaeffler India’s innovation ecosystem and India Accelerator expertise
Capacity Building: Structured guidance through workshops, bootcamps, and curated sessions for social innovation scaling
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Age: 18 to 35 years as of an appropriate reference date (i.e., July 1, 2025)
Nationality: Indian resident
Applicants: Individuals, groups, institutions, or organizations (profit or non-profit); early-stage startups or NGOs with working prototypes
Project Stage: Must be beyond concept—a working prototype is required
Evaluation Requirements:
Clear target market or audience
Addressing a defined problem/opportunity
Potential to scale and positively impact
Economical and sustainable
Commercially viable
Must be a prototype
📝 Application Procedure
Apply Online via Buddy4Study:
Visit the program page on Buddy4Study (via the "Apply Now" link)
Log in or register on Buddy4Study using email/mobile or Gmail.
Complete the Application Form:
Upload required documents:
Idea pitch deck (PDF, < 4 MB)
Optional project video (90–120 seconds)
Aadhaar Card
Passport-sized photograph
Agree to Terms & Conditions, preview, and then Submit before August 30, 2025 .
🚀 Adviser’s Tips & Additional Information
Craft a compelling pitch deck that clearly outlines the problem, your target audience, your prototype’s uniqueness, scalability plan, sustainability model, and commercial viability.
If you include a video, make it concise, engaging, and visually demonstrate your prototype and its social impact.
Be sure your prototype is functional—mere conceptual or mock-up ideas will not qualify
Familiarize yourself with IIMA Ventures' support model and Schaeffler India's CSR philosophy to tailor your submission toward mentorship readiness and impact potential .
