Nearly a decade ago, HCLTech Grant (India) was launched to enable cross-sector collaboration and empower non-profit organizations (NPOs) to play a decisive role in building a stronger, future-ready India. oday, HCLTech Grant has committed nearly 203.50Cr in groundbreaking projects and is recognized as one of the largest grant programs in India—impacting over 61,171 villages across 22 states and 3 UT's. HCLFoundation which delivers the corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda of HCLTech in India has impacted more than 5.5 million lives, harvested 57.9 billion litres of water runoff, greened and brought under community management around 66,000+ acres of land, planted 1.45+ million saplings, treated and protected 70,000 animals, through a cumulative investment of ~$150 million over a decade. Moreover, in Americas, 100,000 native saplings have been planted across US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
We’re proud to bring our cross-sector learnings and innovations from India to other geographies in the space of climate action. As part of our global CSR strategy, we’ll start by investing $5.50 million over five years to impact-focused NPOs across twenty-four countries to supercharge their replicable, scalable and sustainable climate action projects. As a $14.8 billion technology company with over 223,000 people across 60 countries, our mission is to bring together the best of technology and people to supercharge progress for our clients, our people, our communities and our planet.
Four organizations will be selected each year—first place will receive $500,000 and three runners-up will receive $250,000 each for a two-year project.
At HCLTech, we recognize the urgency of climate change as one of today's most critical crises. We have committed to ambitious sustainability goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. We recognize the critical significance of fostering innovative approaches to address climate challenges. Consequently, our climate action strategy is firmly centered on cultivating environmental capital.
We are dedicated to addressing the pressing calls to action set forth by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This commitment involves adopting strategies for climate action that encompass various aspects, including environmental adaptation, mitigation, and resilience, among others.
The climate action solutions that we at HCLTech focus on are centered around creating environmental capital, through investing in efficient and effective green solutions that nurture and conserve our planet.
It is imperative that our climate solutions not only work to manage and reduce our vulnerability and forecast adverse effects, but also formulate appropriate minimizing strategies, as well as build social capacity to withstand and recover from the effects of climate change.
The Americas region is a fertile ground for climate solutions—and we are taking urgent action to bring them to life.
Grant duration and scope: We are accepting proposals for two-year climate action-focused projects that contribute to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For the grant cycle spanning from 2026 to 2027, the HCLTech Global Grant will award four select climate action-oriented organizations.
Proposal scope: Proposals are inclusive of both new projects, from the idea or inception stage, as well as ongoing climate action-focused projects that the applicant organization is currently engaged in.
The proposal’s approach to climate action is inclusive of, but not limited to, indicative focus areas such as wildlife and biodiversity conservation; land and ocean action; clean energy; climate advocacy; campaigns; and climate risk reduction. The proposed project can encompass approaches to climate action through adaptation, mitigation and resilience, amongst others.
Applicant organization must be registered where the proposed project will be implemented in one of the following countries: USA, Philippines, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Australia, Bulgaria, Poland, Guatemala, Singapore, Brazil, Romania, Sweden, Malaysia, Spain, Japan, Netherlands, Italy, France, Morocco, Vietnam, and South Africa.
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The HCLTech Grant selection process will take place in 4 distinct steps, which have been outlined as follows:
Step 1 - Call for proposals: Announcement of the HCLTech Global Grant through the online portal and outreach via virtual townhalls and symposiums (hybrid mode).
Step 2 - Proposal screening and review: Proposals will be screened based on predefined eligibility criteria and selection matrix, by the governance partner, internal domain experts and CSR Council members. The review will include a mix of objective and subjective parameters such as governance, relevance of the problem and solution, potential impact and innovation, and others.
Step 3 - Field level validation and detailed due diligence: The top 10 NPOs would undergo detailed due diligence including field visits by members of local CSR Councils. At this stage, four NPOs will be recommended for Jury proceedings.
Step 4 - Jury proceedings: It will comprise a high-level panel of seven members from the HCLTech leadership, one client representative and one external domain expert, who will review shortlisted applications based on case presentations. The winner and three runners-up organizations will be selected.
Yes. An inability to fulfill either of the prerequisite and eligibility guidelines or presentation of inaccurate and/or false information for the same will disqualify the applicant organization from the HCLTech Grant, rendering them ineligible to apply for further rounds.
Organizations may submit only one application per login ID. You may submit multiple applications for various climate action solutions. However, the applicant organization would require unique login IDs for each application submission.
The proposal submission window will open on October 24 (International Day of Climate Action) and close on January 24, 2027.
No. It is recommended to review your abstract multiple times before submission. You will receive an email including a PDF file of your submitted abstract for reference.
Yes, a confirmation will be sent to your registered email address. If not received within 24 hours, please check your spam folder or reach out to HCLTech Global Grant PMO Team: globalgrant@hcltech.com
If your abstract is shortlisted, you will receive email updates to your registered email on your abstract status from the HCLTech Global Grant PMO team.
The Winner and three runners-up will be announced on June 5.
Projects will begin from the month of July.
This is a CSR initiative by HCLTech. The company has set up an independent and robust methodology for the selection of grantees. A strategic collaboration has been established with a preeminent third-party technical advisory firm, renowned for its industry expertise. This partnership will ensure an impartial and comprehensive advisory framework that encompasses the entire selection process, including meticulous application screening, judicious Selection Committee nominations and the eventual identification of awardees.
Furthermore, a dedicated internal Selection Committee, composed of professionals possessing sector-specific acumen, will meticulously assess the submitted applications. This dual-layered evaluation process underscores our unwavering commitment to fairness and integrity in the grant selection procedure.
Not necessarily. However, HCLTech embraces the use of technology towards combating climate change as an innovative element.
Yes. There are no application restrictions for past or current partners.
Yes, HCLTech Global Grant is open to projects that involve funding from other sources. Details will be requested during the application process.
No. Funds must be utilized only by the winning organizations for their one-year projects outlined in the application.
Click here to learn more about our global CSR mission, strategy and initiatives.
There is NO fee for registration and application for this grant. HCLTech Grant accepts applications, free of charge, only through its official website: https://globalgrant.hcltech.com
Further, HCLFoundation and HCLTech Grant have not authorized any individual or agency or organization to accept the application or fee on their behalf.
The information provided by the applicant organization across the grant application process may be used by HCLTech for marketing or compendium publishing purposes.
No. HCLTech Global Grant only accepts applications submitted through its online form.
For further questions regarding your application or technical issues, please contact our HCLTech Global Grant PMO Team: globalgrant@hcltech.com