About Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme:
- It is a flagship scheme of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched in 2022.
- It aims to fund research and development (R&D) in rural-specific communication technology applications.
- It encourages collaboration among academia, startups, research institutes, and industry stakeholders to drive innovation.
- It provides milestone-based financial assistance to eligible entities, ensuring ease of compliance and adequate funding.
- It supports the development of state-of-the-art telecom solutions in key sectors such as education, agriculture, health and water management.
- Funding under the scheme is provided through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (formerly known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund).
Eligibility Criteria for TTDF
- Domestic Companies with a focus on telecom R&D, Use case development.
- Startups/MSMEs
- Academic institutions
- R&D institutions, Section 8 companies/societies, Central & State government entities/PSUs/Autonomous Bodies/SPVs/Limited liability partnerships- with a focus on telecom R&D.
- Collaborative consortium of the above entities.
- For Pilots: The above entities may partner, inter alia, with PSUs, TSPs, Central/State Government entities, government autonomous bodies, SPVs, etc.
- For Pilot application: Minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 is required.
- Some exclusions also exist:
- Domestic companies receiving grants must maintain their ‘Domestic Company’ status for at least two years after project completion.
- If a foreign investor or foreign Successor-in-Interest acquires a majority stake in the company within two years post-project, they must repay double the grant amount.
- Expenditures on items like land and buildings are not eligible under the fund.
- Preference is given to projects with minimum TTRLs, so very early-stage or theoretical research without clear application may be excluded.
