Ignite NGIRI 2026 (National Grassroots ICT Research Initiative)

About This Scholarship

The Ignite National Grassroots ICT Research Initiative (NGIRI) is not a traditional tuition scholarship, but a highly targeted research grant for final year undergraduate students. It provides critical funding to ICT and Engineering students for developing their Final Year Projects (FYPs). The grant covers the cost of equipment, hardware, and specialized software required to build innovative, commercially viable tech prototypes. It acts as a launchpad for student entrepreneurs aiming to convert their academic projects into viable startups.

Scholarship Benefits & Coverage

• Reimbursement of up to PKR 84,700 for project-specific development hardware, sensors, cloud servers, and fabrication costs
• Up to PKR 12,100 for project documentation, essential software tooling, and miscellaneous testing expenses
• Total project prototype grant allocation of up to PKR 96,800 per approved FYP group
• Direct entry into the Phase-II National Championship offering cash awards up to PKR 400,000 for student teams and PKR 100,000 for supervisors
• Fast-track incubation consideration and investor access across the National Incubation Center (NIC) network

Eligibility Criteria

• 1
  Enrollment: Must be a Final Year Student of an ICT-related discipline (CS, IT, Electrical, Electronics, Software, etc.).
• 2
  Institution: Must be enrolled in a university participating in the NGIRI program (HEC recognized).
• 3
  Project Status: Must have an approved 'Final Year Project (FYP)' proposal from the university supervisor.
• 4
  Group Size: Funding is given to the FYP Group (usually 2-4 students), not individuals.
• 5
  Topic: Project must be related to cutting-edge tech (AI, Blockchain, IoT, Robotics, Cloud, Big Data).

How to Apply – Step by Step

1. 1

   Step 1: Your University (FYP Coordinator) must be registered with Ignite.

2. 2

   Step 2: Submit your FYP Proposal to your Supervisor/Head of Department.

3. 3

   Step 3: The University nominates selected FYPs via the 'Ignite NGIRI Portal'. (Students cannot apply directly; the University must submit).

4. 4

   Step 4: Once approved, you purchase the equipment.

5. 5

   Step 5: Submit receipts/invoices for reimbursement after project completion.

Required Documents

• Approved FYP Proposal
• Estimated Budget (BoQ) for equipment
• CVs of Group Members
• Supervisor's Approval Letter
• Receipts of Equipment (for reimbursement stage)

Frequently Asked Questions