What is L-RAMP?
L-RAMP is a unique collaboration between IIT, Madras (IITM) and Rural Innovations Network, Chennai for supporting innovations that have social relevance. The support includes funding, technical and business mentoring. Lemelson Foundation of the USA provides financial support to L-RAMP.

Who can apply?
L-RAMP accepts applications from all innovators (including individuals like students, teachers, farmers, artisans, housewives and also enterprises) that have no access or limited access to funds, technological support and markets.

How do I apply?
You can download the application form available on this website ( http://lramp.org/application.html ), fill it in and post it to us at:

Lemelson Recognition and Mentoring Programme (L-RAMP)
2nd Floor, IC&SR
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
Chennai – 600 036
Tamil Nadu
India
Tel: 91-44-2257 8389

What happens after I submit my application?
Once you submit your application, you are invited for a interaction with an expert representative of L-RAMP. During the interaction, you have an opportunity to make a detailed presentation about your innovation. Following the interaction, the expert makes an assessment of the technical validity of your innovation and gives feedback to L-RAMP’s Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee assesses your innovation according to L-RAMP’s selection criteria and arrives at decision regarding support for your innovation.

Does L-RAMP support all innovations?
L-RAMP supports innovations which fall under one of the following four categories:
1. Agriculture
2. Dairy
3. Energy
4. Water

What kind of support does L-RAMP provide?
The support provided by L-RAMP includes funds, technical mentoring support for product development and business mentoring support for the dissemination of the product. Apart from this, L-RAMP also provides access to its network of mentors and various other partners to the innovators.

What type of funding support does L-RAMP provide?
L-RAMP provides interest-free loans.

How does L-RAMP recognise innovations?
L-RAMP recognises innovations through its annual Awards initiative. Through a Tamil Nadu wide competition, applications are invited and screened for awarding Certificates of Appreciation and Awards of Excellence, with certificates and cash prizes.

How does L-RAMP mentor innovators?
L-RAMP mentors different innovator groups differently. Students are mentored through the My Idea Programme and the Student Project Support Programme. Select innovators with ideas that have potential in the future receive mentoring through L-RAMP’s Pre-incubation Programme. Innovators also receive mentoring support at the time of proposal development and incubation.

What is the upper limit on the funding support provided by L-RAMP?
The upper cap of funding support available from L-RAMP is Rs.25,00,000 (25 lakhs).

How are applications evaluated?
Evaluation criteria include

• Innovativeness/originality of the idea
• Technical and economic feasibility
• Potential social impact
• Potential for commercialization

• Proposals are selected based on the decision of the L-RAMP Steering Committee and Advisory Board.

How much time does L-RAMP take to process an application?
Once you apply, you can expect an initial response from us within 2 weeks. The complete process of screening and selection takes 3 months.

Is there any last date for the submission of the application?
The application for the innovation incubation services has been accepted through out the year. There is no deadline for submitting an application.

Do I have to pay an application fee along with my application?
No.