National Handicrafts Development Programme: Research & Development Scheme
100% grant for handicraft research & workshops · NGOs and institutions · Ministry of Textiles
Registered organizations — NGOs, societies, export promotion councils, and government agencies — can apply for 100% grants-in-aid from the Ministry of Textiles to conduct research, surveys, and workshops on the Indian handicrafts sector. Funding covers staff salaries, documentation, travel, and seminar logistics. Non-government organizations apply through the NGO Portal; government agencies can apply directly.
About This Scheme
Registered organizations — NGOs, societies, export promotion councils, and government agencies — can apply for 100% grants-in-aid from the Ministry of Textiles to conduct research, surveys, and workshops on the Indian handicrafts sector. Funding covers staff salaries, documentation, travel, and seminar logistics. Non-government organizations apply through the NGO Portal; government agencies can apply directly.
Full official description
The "Research & Development Scheme" is a component of the Umbrella Scheme "National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP)" by the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. The scheme is introduced to generate feedback on the economic, social, aesthetic, and promotional aspects of various crafts and artisans in the handicraft sector. Under this scheme, the surveys and studies are sponsored/conducted to generate suitable inputs for planning purposes. Also, workshops, seminars, conferences, radio programs, etc. are organized in online as well as offline mode to sensitize the artisans on the latest development in the Handicrafts sector.
Key Highlights:
- Surveys & Studies a) Surveys/ Studies of specific crafts and mapping and documentation of a database on craft clusters and specific craft pockets, present market trend and status, existing export and future export openings, etc. b) Problem relating to the availability of raw materials, technology, design, common facilities, etc. c) Socioeconomic condition of the artisan. d) Market evaluation studies of specific crafts for either domestic or overseas markets. e) Techno-economic feasibility studies and post-evaluation of the various promotional projects programs undertaken in the handicrafts sector.
- Financial Assistance for registration of GI crafts (including registration of authorized users), preparation of legal para, standards, audits, and other documentation leading to labeling/certification.
- Financial Assistance to organizations for evolving, and developing a mechanism for protecting crafts including Endangered crafts, design, heritage, and traditional knowledge.
- Conducting a Census of Handicraft artisans of the country and publishing the same in handbook/e-book format for future reference.
- Assisting handicrafts exporters in the adoption of global standards, including handicrafts marks, branding, bar coding, and other similar standards
- Conducting workshops/seminars on issues of specific issues relating to the handicrafts sector.
- Evaluation / Impact Assessment Studies of Handicrafts Schemes.
- Need-based financial assistance to Government departments/ministries, institutes of national importance and export promotional councils, etc.
Benefits
- 100% grant-in-aid (no co-funding required)
- Survey/study funding: Project Leader up to ₹50,000/month, Senior Research Expert ₹35,000/month, Junior Research Fellow ₹25,000/month, plus TA/DA and documentation
- One-day seminar/workshop: hall hire up to ₹60,000, resource persons' boarding and travel, publicity costs up to ₹65,000
- Disbursed in 2 installments: 75% advance + 25% reimbursement
- Study projects: 3–12 months duration
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If you run a craft-tech startup or platform aggregating artisans, this scheme funds the research surveys and documentation you'd otherwise need to self-finance — including GI tag registrations that can dramatically increase your product's market premium.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a registered legal entity: NGO, society (registered under Societies Registration Act 1860), trust (Indian Trusts Act 1882), producer company, Section-8 company, educational institution, urban/rural local body, export promotion council, or government agency
- No duplicate funding from other sources for the same purpose
- No pending utilization certificates in other handicraft office schemes
- Must be registered on the Public Finance Management System (PFMS)
How to Apply
- Prepare a proposal in the prescribed proforma for the Study/Survey or Seminar/Workshop you wish to conduct.
- Submit the proposal through the NGO Portal online (government agencies may submit online or offline).
- A committee under the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) reviews NGO proposals; government agency proposals are considered first-come, first-served based on fund availability.
- Proposals above the Development Commissioner's financial powers go to the Project Approval and Monitoring Committee (PAMC), chaired by the Secretary (Textiles).
Frequently Asked Questions
How Will The Selection Of The Artisans Be Done?
Any artisans having a Pahchan card may participate in the seminar/workshop. Beneficiaries must be selected in a fair & transparent manner, through well-defined objective parameters /criteria, by way of giving equal opportunity to all artisans, under the supervision of the concerned AD(Handicrafts).
Is There Any Reservation/Preference/Priority In The Selection Of The Artisans?
Yes, preference may be given to the marginalized social groups i.e., SC/ST/Women/Differently enabled persons shall also be incorporated under the schemes irrespective of the crafts they practice to ensure their recognition, equality, and empowerment.
Where Shall The Details Of The Beneficiaries Be Uploaded?
The details of the beneficiaries shall be uploaded on the portal / MIS of the O/o DC (Handicrafts).
How Will The Selection Of Project Leader / SRF/ JRF And Resource Persons Be Done?
For conducting Studies/Surveys, eligible candidates will be engaged by the Implementing agency/Institution, upon submission of their detailed profile/resume to the O/o DC (Handicrafts). For seminars/workshops, the Implementing agency/Institution may engage eminent personalities in the respective fields or engage their own faculty/resource persons, with the prior approval of the O/o Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). In either case, the person to be engaged should have adequate proven knowledge in the field of handicrafts and experience in conducting research activities.
How Will The Inspection And Monitoring Of This Scheme Be Performed?
The AD(H) / Officials of the field office will visit during the implementation of the program and will send the updated report along with 5 photographs directly to the HQ office, New Delhi as per the prescribed proforma under intimation to respective Field Offices. The Inspection shall be carried out by respective Asstt. Director (Handicrafts), HSCs during the project period to assess the progress of the activity sanctioned and suggest suitable corrective action, if required on the subject, and specific comments shall be forwarded to Hd. Qr. Office, New Delhi for settlement of reimbursement cases.
What Shall Be The Mode Of Payment To Beneficiaries?
The payments to all beneficiaries/concerned must be made through PFMS only.
What Is The Purpose Of The NHDP: Research & Development Scheme?
The "NHDP: Research & Development Scheme" is introduced to generate feedback on economic, social, aesthetic, and promotional aspects of various crafts and artisans in the handicraft sector. The surveys and studies are sponsored/conducted to generate suitable inputs for planning purposes.
What Is The Full Form Of NHDP?
The full form of NHDP is "National Handicrafts Development Programme".
What Is The Maximum Permissible Amount For Senior Research Expert Under Financial Assistance For Conducting Studies/Surveys?
The Maximum Permissible Amount for Senior Research Experts shall be (in [?] per month): 35,000/-.
How Many Senior Research Experts Shall Be Required For Conducting Studies/Surveys?
Two Senior Research Experts shall be required for Conducting Studies/Surveys.
How Many Investigator [Graduate] Shall Be Required For Conducting Studies/Surveys?
Three Investigators [Graduate] shall be required for Conducting Studies/Surveys.
Where Can I Find The Link To The Scheme Guidelines?
The link to the Scheme Guidelines can be found at: http://handicrafts.nic.in/pdf/Scheme.pdf#page=1
Where Can I Find The Link To The Application Form?
The link to the Application Form can be found at: http://handicrafts.nic.in/cmsUpload/20220607105555proposal%20notice_0001.pdf
What Shall Be The Project Duration Of The Survey/Study?
The project duration of the Survey/Study can vary from 3 months to 12 months.
Is The Financial Limit Subject To Change?
Yes, in special cases, the number of days and financial limit can be increased with special approval of the Competent Authority.
Will The Disbursement Of The Financial Assistance Be In Two Installments Or As A Lump Sum?
The disbursement of the assistance will be in two installments: a) 1st Installment: 75% of the sanctioned amount will be released as an advance. b) 2nd Installment: 25% of the sanctioned amount will be in the form of reimbursement.
What Percentage Of The Financial Assistance Be Disbursed In The First Installments?
In the 1st Installment: 75% of the sanctioned amount will be released as an advance.
What Percentage Of The Financial Assistance Be Disbursed In The Second Installments?
In the 2nd Installment: 25% of the sanctioned amount will be in the form of reimbursement.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Proposal in the prescribed proforma
- Valid registration certificate (under Societies Act / Companies Act) or empanelment certificate from DC (Handicrafts) — self-attested
- Article and Memorandum of Association
- Bye-Laws
- Three years' balance sheets and audited accounts (certified by CA) — self-attested
- Affidavit: organization is not blacklisted by any central/state agency
- List of proposed beneficiaries and project locations / DPR
- Bank account details (name, account number, IFSC code)