Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme

Must be an Indian citizen

Must be an Indian citizen.

Must be the Project Leader on the application

Must be the Project Leader on the application.

Must be incubated at an incubator (which can…

Must be incubated at an incubator (which can be anywhere in the country and need not be a BIRAC-supported one). Applicants should already have a preferred incubator in mind at the time of application, and an LoI/MoU with that incubator is needed for final approval.

If formally employed by, or registered as a…

If formally employed by, or registered as a student with, an academic or research organisation, the applicant must either:
produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the organisation's competent authority confirming it allows the applicant, while in service/on sabbatical/on Extraordinary Leave, to accept individual funding if successful, manage the funds via a separate no-lien account, run the BIG project at an incubator, and start an enterprise; or
submit an undertaking to end their employment and take up the project full-time if the grant is approved, backed later by a resignation/relieving/retirement letter before final approval and release of funds.

If formally employed by a for-profit company/LLP, the…

If formally employed by a for-profit company/LLP, the applicant must either:
submit an undertaking to end that employment and work on the project full-time if approved (with a resignation/relieving/retirement letter required before final approval and release), or
apply under the Company/LLP category instead.

A promoter-shareholder of a biotech company, or a…

A promoter-shareholder of a biotech company, or a partner in a biotech LLP, cannot apply as an individual regardless of their shareholding — they must apply through the company/LLP route if it meets the criteria below. Eligibility criteria for Company/LLP:

Must be registered under the Indian Companies Act,…

Must be registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956/2013.

Must have been incorporated no earlier than 5…

Must have been incorporated no earlier than 5 years before the closing date of the relevant BIG call.

Counts as 'owned' by resident Indian citizens if…

Counts as 'owned' by resident Indian citizens if at least 51% of the capital is beneficially held by resident Indian citizens and/or Indian companies ultimately owned and controlled by them.

Must be represented by a Project Leader

Must be represented by a Project Leader.

Must have its own functional, adequate in-house R&D…

Must have its own functional, adequate in-house R&D facility to run the project — if not, it must be incubated at an incubator (verified by the BIG Partner).

Is ineligible if a promoter holding 20% or…

Is ineligible if a promoter holding 20% or more of its shares is also a co-promoter of another ineligible company, or a partner in another ineligible LLP — unless that other entity operates outside the biotech domain. The same logic applies if the applicant is itself an LLP whose partner co-promotes or partners another ineligible entity, unless that entity is non-biotech. Note 01: Every proposal must name a Project Leader responsible for the technical and managerial side of execution. Note 02: The Project Leader must be technically qualified, holding at least a basic undergraduate degree in any discipline. Note 03: If shortlisted for a Selection Committee presentation, the Project Leader presents the case; if selected for funding, the Project Leader signs the project agreement. Note 04: The Project Leader must hold shares in the applicant company. Note 05: The proposed objectives and deliverables must not already be funded by another agency. Note 06: BIG support can go to any individual/start-up only once. Note 07: Biotech start-ups and individual entrepreneurs with commercially promising, innovative ideas are eligible. Note 08: Scientists, faculty, research scholars, and graduates of any discipline who are incubating, or intend to incubate, at a bio-incubator are eligible.

BIRAC gives a grant-in-aid of up to ₹50…

BIRAC gives a grant-in-aid of up to ₹50 lakh (roughly USD 75,000) over 18 months.

BIG Partners and BIRAC provide ongoing mentoring, including…

BIG Partners and BIRAC provide ongoing mentoring, including but not limited to:
Technical mentoring (connecting with technical experts).
IP support.
Legal support.
Networking and outreach.
Training.
Regulatory advice.
Business mentoring.
Investor connections.
Any other case-by-case assistance.

Letter of commitment from scientific advisors/mentors willing to…

Letter of commitment from scientific advisors/mentors willing to serve as honorary advisors.

Letter of intent from key technical team members

Letter of intent from key technical team members.

Letter of interest/intent from the incubator

Letter of interest/intent from the incubator.

Evidence of access to any unique facility the…

Evidence of access to any unique facility the project needs.

Evidence of access to key samples needed for…

Evidence of access to key samples needed for the project (e.g., bio-fluids).

Any other relevant document

Any other relevant document. Post Expert Selection Panel (ESC):

Letter of acceptance or MoU with the incubator

Letter of acceptance or MoU with the incubator.

Formal agreements/MoUs with other key facility providers/suppliers

Formal agreements/MoUs with other key facility providers/suppliers.

Any other due-diligence documents BIG Partners request case…

Any other due-diligence documents BIG Partners request case by case (e.g., technology licensing, IP rights clarification, NOC from the institute).

Undertaking that the project's objectives and deliverables haven't…

Undertaking that the project's objectives and deliverables haven't received funding from another agency.

Any other relevant document

Any other relevant document.