Ignite National Technology Fund, under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, has issued a reminder that applications for the Prime Minister’s SPARK and ELEVATE Program close on 26 October 2026. The program invites researchers, innovators, startups, universities, small and medium enterprises and industries to turn promising ideas into impactful technologies. SPARK offers up to Rs100 million per project for prototype development, while ELEVATE offers up to Rs200 million per project for commercialization, and applicants can submit through the application link.
The two programs cover different stages of a technology’s journey. SPARK funds early stage research and idea-to-prototype work, and it is open to universities, research organisations, startups and small and medium enterprises, with each application submitted by a principal investigator nominated by the lead organisation. ELEVATE funds the step from prototype to market, including validation in real operating conditions and preparation for commercial deployment, and it must be led by an industry organisation such as a startup, small or medium enterprise or large company. ELEVATE applicants also need to name a commercial lead and show details of a pilot deployment or first customer, and consortia are encouraged.
Applications are accepted only through the grant management portal of Ignite and not by email, post or hand. The process has two stages. Applicants first submit a project concept, which Ignite screens for eligibility, relevance and quality, and only those who pass this stage are enabled to submit a full proposal. A principal investigator may submit up to two proposals under SPARK, and the choice of programme depends on how mature the technology is rather than only on the type of organisation applying. Ignite plans to award up to 60 grants a year, with up to 30 under each programme, subject to evaluation, approvals and available funding.
The programs were launched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in July 2026 and have since been taken to universities through awareness sessions held with the Higher Education Commission. With eleven days left before the deadline, teams that have been preparing a project concept have a short window to register on the portal and submit it, and Ignite urges eligible applicants to apply before 26 October.
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