Program Details
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit Section 8, Schedule B, Public Sector Enterprise established by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, as an interface agency to strengthen and empower emerging biotech enterprises to undertake strategic research and innovation addressing nationally relevant product development needs. BIRAC runs various schemes to support startups through funding and mentoring.
Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) is BIRAC's flagship programme that provides funding and support to young startups and entrepreneurial individuals. BIG is India's largest early-stage biotech funding programme, offering grants of up to ₹50 lakh (approximately USD 70,000) to transform innovative ideas into proof-of-concept.
Objectives
The objectives of the BIG Scheme are to:
- Foster the generation of ideas with commercialization potential.
- Upscale and validate proof of concept.
- Encourage researchers to take technology closer to market through startups.
- Stimulate enterprise formation.
Under this scheme, successful BIG Innovators receive grants of up to ₹50 lakh for research projects with commercialization potential over a duration of up to 18 months.
Calls for proposals are announced twice every year, on 1 January and 1 July. Each call generally remains open for approximately 45 days.
The BIG Scheme is currently managed through eight BIG Partners across the country, with FITT being one of them. These partners provide mentoring, project monitoring, networking opportunities, and business development support to BIG Innovators.
BIG Scheme Guidelines:
https://birac.nic.in/webcontent/BIG_Guidelines_Version_8_Jul_2020.pdf
Registration Guidelines & Application Form:
https://birac.nic.in/big.php
