HCL Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of global technology company HCLTech, has opened applications for the 12th edition of the HCLTech Grant, committing ₹24 crore to support non-governmental organisations working on sustainable rural development across India. Under the latest edition, NGOs can apply for funding in four focus areas—water, biodiversity, health and education. Four winning organisations, selected by an independent jury, will receive grants of ₹5 crore each, while eight additional NGOs will be awarded ₹50 lakh each to implement impactful community-led projects. Applications will remain open until June 30, 2026.
Announcing the initiative, Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Director of HCL Foundation, said grassroots organisations often develop the most effective solutions to local challenges and that the grant aims to help such institutions scale innovation and create long-term social impact. The programme has emerged as one of India’s significant CSR-led funding platforms, with HCL Foundation committing more than ₹203 crore through the grant since its inception. Projects supported under the initiative have impacted over 2.3 million people across 61,000 villages, contributed to the planting of more than three lakh saplings, rejuvenated over 68,300 hectares of land and helped reduce carbon emissions by more than 67,000 tonnes.
Alongside the grant announcement, HCL Foundation unveiled its Pan India Symposiums 2026, scheduled in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Nagpur and Delhi, aimed at bringing together NGOs, policymakers, corporates and experts to explore the role of CSR in nation-building and sustainable development.
