Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) 2026: Up to ₹50 Lakh Grant, Eligibility & How to Apply

At a glance

About the scheme

The Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) scheme is a flagship initiative of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), set up under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology. It nurtures early-stage biotechnology ideas that have strong commercialisation potential, funding their progression from ideation to proof of concept (PoC). Grantees carry out their work within incubators across India, gaining access to cutting-edge laboratories, technical mentorship, legal assistance, and investor networks.

Benefits

• Grant-in-aid of up to INR 50 lakhs (approx. USD 75,000) for a milestone-based period of up to 18 months.
• Technical mentoring and direct connection with domain experts.
• Intellectual Property (IP) and legal guidance.
• Business mentoring and structured introductions to potential investors.
• Networking opportunities, specialized trainings, regulatory advice, and outreach platforms.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Individual applicant must be an Indian citizen with an Indian passport (OCIs are not eligible).
• The primary applicant must be the Project Leader and must have completed basic undergraduate graduation in any discipline.
• Individual applicants must be incubated or possess a Letter of Intent (LoI) to incubate at a recognized incubator.
• Applicants employed in academia or research institutions must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) or undertake to resign before grant release.
• Applicants employed in a company or LLP must provide an undertaking to resign to work full-time on the project, or apply through the company route.
• Companies or LLPs must be registered under the Indian Companies Act with incorporation date not older than 5 years from the call closing date.
• At least 51% of the applicant company's capital must be beneficially owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.
• The Project Leader in a company application must be a shareholder in that company.
• The applicant company or LLP must have an adequate in-house R&D facility or be incubated at an incubator.
• The proposed project objectives and deliverables must not have received funding support from any other agency.

Who cannot apply

• Basic or exploratory academic research projects without commercial viability.
• Projects with a low degree of novelty.
• Projects involving systematic clinical trials, field trials, or late-stage regulatory certification.
• Research fellowship purposes, PhD work, or standard academic thesis research.
• Proprietorship firms, societies, trusts, and academic institutes or universities.
• Applicants who have already received BIG scheme funding support in the past.
• Companies or LLPs where any partner or promoter with 20% or more shareholding is a co-promoter in another ineligible biotech entity.

Documents required

• Letter of commitment from Scientific Advisors or Mentors acting as honorary advisors.
• Letter of intent from key technical team members.
• Letter of Intent (LoI) or Letter of interest from the preferred incubator.
• Evidence of access to essential unique facilities or key samples (such as bio-fluids) needed for the project.
• Formal Letter of Acceptance or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the incubator (required after selection).
• Agreements or MoUs with key facility providers or equipment suppliers.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) or formal resignation letter from the current employer (where applicable).
• Undertaking stating that the project has not received funding support from any other funding agency.

How to apply

1. 1Check the national call for proposals published on the BIRAC portal, announced twice a year around 1st January and 1st July.
2. 2Visit the official BIRAC web portal at www.birac.nic.in.
3. 3Register on the portal by creating an account under 'BIG User' or 'New User'.
4. 4Fill in the detailed online application form, select the proposal category and preferred incubator or BIG Partner, and upload required documents.
5. 5Review all entered information carefully and submit the application before the specified deadline.

Frequently asked questions