Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme
The Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme is run by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council , a public-sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology , Government of India. It was launched to provide early-stage funding to startups and research-entrepreneurs in the biotechnology domain to translate innovative ideas into proof-of-concept. The benefit for your enterprise is that if you have a novel biotech idea, device or process with commercial potential, you can access non-repayable grant support along with mentoring, helping you move from lab/idea to market-ready product.
Key Features
- Grant-in-aid support for proof of concept of biotechnology ideas: The scheme allows innovators to receive funding to test feasibility, build prototypes, validate technical and commercial viability of biotech ideas via BIRAC’s BIG scheme.
- Support quantum up to ₹ 50 lakhs over a period of about 18 months: Eligible ideas can receive grant support up to approximately ₹ 50 lakhs for duration around 18 months under the BIG scheme.
- Supports early-stage startups, individual innovators and incubatees located in recognised incubators: Applicants include individual researchers, startups or companies, but they should be incubated in a recognised incubator if not having their own R&D lab.
- Milestone-based disbursement via BIG partners and mentoring support: Fund release is linked to achievement of milestones; mentoring, IP support and business-development services are provided via BIG partners.
- Scope covers healthcare, diagnostics, medical-devices, agricultural biotech, industrial biotech, clean-tech biotech: The scheme covers a wide range of biotech domains including agritech, med-tech, industrial biotechnology, and allied clean technologies.
- Applicants must have commercialisation intent : The focus is on innovation with commercial potential, not purely fundamental research without market path.
Financial Assistance
Eligibility Criteria
Who can apply:
- Applicants can be individual innovators, startups or incubatee entities in recognised incubators.
- Indian citizen or Indian-promoted company when company is applicant.
- Applicant must have innovation in biotechnology domain with commercialisation potential.
- If applicant is an individual, must be incubated in an incubator; if a company, must have in-house R&D or be incubated.
Who cannot apply:
- Strictly basic research without commercial path is not eligible.
- Companies older than allowed timeline or foreign majority-owned may be excluded.
- Projects already funded under same scope or project may not be eligible for repeat funding.
Documents Required
- Project proposal including summary, objectives, commercial potential, budget and milestones.
- Applicant credentials: for individual, for company.
- Incubator affiliation certificate or proof of R&D facility.
- Team details and CVs of principal developers/promoters.
- Budget break-up for proposed activities.
- IP status or intention for filing.
- Declaration of compliance and ownership criteria.
Application Process for the Scheme
Option 1: Apply with Bullit
Click here to start with guided support. Our team verifies eligibility, compiles documents, and handles application & follow-ups on your behalf. You can monitor progress while focusing on operations.
Recommended for: Early-stage innovators with high-risk biotech ideas wanting expert guidance.
Option 2: Official Route via BIRAC BIG Portal
- Visit → BIG Scheme section.
- Create an account and fill online application.
- Upload proposal, technical documents, and budget.
- Preliminary evaluation → shortlisting.
- Attend Technical Presentation before domain experts.
- Final selection by BIG Evaluation Committee.
- Awardees sign agreement with BIG Partner; funds released in tranches.
Option 3: Apply Through BIG Partner Organisations
- Contact any BIRAC-recognized BIG Partner for proposal review before submission.
- Partners offer pre-application guidance.