Image and Content Courtesy: NABARD 
NABARD is set up as an apex Development Bank with a mandate for facilitating credit flow for promotion and development of agriculture, small-scale industries, cottage and village industries, handicrafts and other rural crafts. It also has the mandate to support all other allied economic activities in rural areas, promote integrated and sustainable rural development and secure prosperity of rural areas.
In discharging its role as a facilitator for rural prosperity NABARD invites all individuals, NGOs, community based organisations, SHGs, farmer's club, panchayati raj institutions and corporates who have the expertise and willingness to implement innovative ideas for improving the quality of life in rural areas.
Guiding Principles for the project to be supported under RIF , Innovation 1. Should benefit a large number of rural poor. 2. Should be Replicable / Scalable. 3. Funding support generally not exceeding Rs. 30 lakh. 4. To be grounded in less than 3 years. How to apply? Approach the District Development Manager (DDM) of NABARD in the district or the Regional Office of NABARD at State Capitals. For details of address of the Regional Offices, please Click here. OR Download application form English Download application form Hindi The proposals can also be directly emailed to NABARD HO (dpd.nfs@nabard.org). The project proposals to be considered for support from the Fund should come under the following areas/ sectors such as: Dry land / rain fed farming, Innovative rainwater harvesting for rural dwellings, Rural energy from biomass/ agricultural wastes, Techniques for increasing the value of crop residues and non-crop bio mass, Community regulation of distribution and use of water and energy, etc, Glimpses of some new innovative projects sanctioned under RIF: Click here. For more information Click here.