Guidelines for ‘Agri Hackathon 2026’

Eligibility criteria: Who can apply?

A PG/PhD student and along with a mentor from recognized research institutions or universities across India approved by UGC/ICAR may apply as a team (a team comprises of a single student and his mentor).

Mode

1. Single or multi-institutional proposals are invited.
2. In case of multi-institutional proposal, the team include a student and a mentor from each of the collaborating institutions (a maximum of two institutions may jointly propose).
3. In case of proposals from other states, additionally a mentor must be included from UGC/ICAR recognized institutions of Tamil Nadu.

Selection criteria

• Innovative ideas will be initially evaluated and short listed by the competent Technical Expert Committee (TEC) formed by TNAU.
• The shortlisted teams will be invited for presentation before the TEC, finally around 25 proposals will be selected for funding.
• The selection of the most innovative ideas/solutions will be based on the following parameters:
• Novelty of the proposed solution.
• Techno-commercial feasibility.
• Societal impact - benefiting the farmers and environment.
• Expertise of the team.
• The scope of patentability of innovation will be given priority.

Fund Allotment

Funding limit based on TRL levels	Maximum budget limit
Product development and commercialization (TRL 7 and 8)	Rs. 5 lakhs per team
Technology demonstration and validation (TRLs 5 and 6)	Rs. 4 lakhs per team
Proof of Concept (PoC) leads and Prototyping (TRLs 3 & 4)	Rs. 5 lakhs per team
Design to prototype and product category	Rs. 3 lakhs per team
Design to product category	Rs. 2 lakhs per team

Fund disbursement

• The project cost will be disbursed to the institution of the investigating team.
• The interim review of the progress by TEP against the approved milestones will be taken up periodically.
• The benefiting institutions should be furnishing an audited utilization statement at the end of the project peroid/financial year.
• In case of multi-institutional projects funds will be transferred to the collaborating institutes, accordingly.

Project duration

• The project will be supported for a Maximum period of 12 months.

Evaluation Procedure

The progress of work done will be periodically evaluated by TEP committee. Upon completion of the project, the expert panel will be evaluating the outcome and the project completion report will be submitted to the government of Tamil Nadu after approval by the expert panel.

Expected outcome

The outcome of the study should inturn be a relief to the farmer’s problem. Ultimately to make farming more productive and entrepreneurial, extending beyond mere sustenance. Besides, promising solutions will be encouraged for startup incorporation, employment generation in agricultural ecosystem.