Is this actionable now?

unknown. Calls are announced twice yearly on 1 January and 1 July and typically remain open about 45 days. The official page does not identify an exact current 2026 closing date, so no live call is asserted.

Indian citizens / Indian-incorporated startups (<7 years) or individual innovators in biotechnology and allied life sciences; idea to proof-of-concept stage.

What burden and restrictions apply?

No source-specific burden or use-of-funds rule was established in this review.

What evidence exists?

No source-specific outcome was established. The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and acceptance rate for the next cycle.

Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)

Q: What is the real economic value?

Up to INR 50 lakh (INR 5,000,000) as grant-in-aid over 18 months

Q: How does selection work?

Watch for BIG Call (typically two calls per year) on the BIRAC portal; Submit online preliminary application/idea through a chosen BIG Partner incubator; Screening and shortlisting for presentation; Presentation/pitch to expert committee; Award, agreement with BIG Partner, and milestone-based disbursement. No dependable comparable application-to-decision interval was published in the reviewed public corpus.

Q: What burden and restrictions apply?

No source-specific burden or use-of-funds rule was established in this review.

Q: What evidence exists?

No source-specific outcome was established. The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and acceptance rate for the next cycle.

Up to INR 50 lakh (INR 5,000,000) as grant-in-aid over 18 months · Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India

India's largest early-stage biotech funding program providing non-dilutive grant support to individual entrepreneurs and startups to validate proof-of-concept and develop biotech innovations. Current lifecycle: unknown. Real economics: Up to INR 50 lakh (INR 5,000,000) as grant-in-aid over 18 months.

Tier 3indiabiotechgovernmentgrant

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India
Amount	Up to INR 50 lakh (INR 5,000,000) as grant-in-aid over 18 months
Decision time	No dependable comparable application-to-decision interval was published in the reviewed public corpus.
Eligibility	Indian citizens / Indian-incorporated startups (<7 years) or individual innovators in biotechnology and allied life sciences; idea to proof-of-concept stage.
Restrictions	Biotech/life-sciences focus; disbursed and mentored via BIG Partners (implementing incubators); non-dilutive grant; IP and milestone conditions apply.
Status	unknown

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Watch for BIG Call (typically two calls per year) on the BIRAC portal
Submit online preliminary application/idea through a chosen BIG Partner incubator
Screening and shortlisting for presentation
Presentation/pitch to expert committee
Award, agreement with BIG Partner, and milestone-based disbursement

Background

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India operates Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. No source-specific outcome was established in this review.

How the application really works

Watch for BIG Call (typically two calls per year) on the BIRAC portal → Submit online preliminary application/idea through a chosen BIG Partner incubator → Screening and shortlisting for presentation → Presentation/pitch to expert committee → Award, agreement with BIG Partner, and milestone-based disbursement

Tips

Show direct fit with innovation.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is unknown.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: unknown. Calls are announced twice yearly on 1 January and 1 July and typically remain open about 45 days. The official page does not identify an exact current 2026 closing date, so no live call is asserted.
What is the real economic value?: Up to INR 50 lakh (INR 5,000,000) as grant-in-aid over 18 months
Who is eligible?: Indian citizens / Indian-incorporated startups (<7 years) or individual innovators in biotechnology and allied life sciences; idea to proof-of-concept stage.
How does selection work?: Watch for BIG Call (typically two calls per year) on the BIRAC portal; Submit online preliminary application/idea through a chosen BIG Partner incubator; Screening and shortlisting for presentation; Presentation/pitch to expert committee; Award, agreement with BIG Partner, and milestone-based disbursement. No dependable comparable application-to-decision interval was published in the reviewed public corpus.
What burden and restrictions apply?: No source-specific burden or use-of-funds rule was established in this review.
What evidence exists?: No source-specific outcome was established. The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and acceptance rate for the next cycle.

Sources

www.birac.nic.in/big.php — Current official award cap, 18-month term, twice-yearly call cadence, awardee lists and support (checked 2026-08-10)