R&D Reimbursement Scheme
Category: Business & Entrepreneurship, Science, IT & Communications
Level: State | State: Goa

Details:
The scheme “R&D Reimbursement Scheme” is a scheme by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Goa, for the Startups of Goa. The scheme is a part of the Start-up Policy 2017. The objective of the policy is to promote innovation amongst the Goans and local start-ups. 50% of R&D expenses, including salaries of PhD holders employed by start-ups, will be reimbursed for a period of two years, subject to a cap of ₹ 5,00,000 per annum.

Benefits:
50% of R&D expenses, including salaries of PhD holders employed by startups, will be reimbursed for a period of two years, subject to a cap of ₹ 5,00,000 per annum. The salary component must not be in excess of ₹ 2,00,000.

Number of Slots
This benefit can be availed by a maximum of 100 startups each year.

Validity
The applicant can avail of the benefits of this scheme bi-annually/ annually.

Disbursal
Once the application is approved by the SPC, the approved amount shall be disbursed within 60 days from the date of approval.

NOTE: 
Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.

Eligibility Criteria:
1. This is applicable only to Goans and local start-ups.
1. The applicant should be a local startup certified by the Start-up Promotion Cell (SPC).
1. The startup should have a valid start-up certificate number.
1. The employees whose salaries are to be reimbursed should be hired for a period of at least 12 months.
1. The employee whose salary is to be reimbursed should have a PhD or equivalent from a government-recognised institute.
1. The startup should be in the R&D stage and developing technology/ products in the domains specified in the Policy.
1. The startup should have a working prototype of the technology/ product.
1. Only expenditures incurred after notification of Goa Start-up Policy 2017, being within the validity of this policy and paid for digitally will be considered. If digital payments are not possible then it shall be up to the decision of SPC based on its due diligence to admit the expenditure.

**NOTE:** For the purpose of determining eligible expenses towards R&D Expenditure, the "Accounting Standard 18 on Research and Development" by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India would be used. > **Relaxation / Preference / Priority**

Preference will be given to the startups who are working on a technology/ product that have successfully applied for a patent or have obtained a patent. > **Definitions**

**Local Startup:** A startup in which at least 50% equity/share is held by one or more Goans continuously since the time of inception. **Goan:** The person satisfying at least one of the following criteria - 
1. Born in the State of Goa; or,
2. Person having domicile for 10 years or more in the State; or,
3. Spouse of a person covered under any of the conditions mentioned in (1.) and (2.), through marriages registered in Goa. **Employees:** PhD or equivalent employees for whom a reimbursement is being claimed.