The Central Government’s Biotechnology Ignition Grant, called BIG, is the biggest opportunity for startups with a new idea in biotechnology. The scheme is run by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, known as BIRAC, which works under the Department of Biotechnology. Startups get a grant of up to ₹50 lakh to take their idea to proof of concept. The grant is for ideas with commercial potential, linked to drugs, vaccines, medical devices, agriculture or the environment.
How much money is given
Selected startups get a grant of up to ₹50 lakh for a period of 18 months. The amount is given in instalments linked to milestones. The first instalment is given at the time of signing the agreement.
- Total grant: up to ₹50 lakh, for 18 months
- First instalment: up to ₹20 lakh at the time of signing the agreement
- Later instalments: up to ₹20 lakh each, on achieving milestones
- Final instalment: up to ₹5 lakh on completion of the project
- This is a grant, not a loan — it does not have to be repaid
Who can apply
The eligibility conditions are as follows.
- Individual innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs
- Startups with a registered company or limited liability partnership
- A functional research and development laboratory or association with an incubator
- The idea should be linked to biotechnology and have commercial potential
- The grant is not given for basic research
- 8 BIG Partners mentor and monitor the applicants
The idea should be in the areas of drugs, vaccines and biologics, medical devices and diagnostics, agriculture and food biotechnology, or industrial and environmental biotechnology. The idea should be taken to proof of concept, not just remain on paper.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the BIRAC website. The application cycle opens twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July, and stays open for about 45 days. The last cycle, the 25th cycle, closed on 30 November 2025. No new cycle is open as of November 2026, and the next cycle is expected to open on 1 January 2027. The application process involves submitting an online application first, then evaluation by 3 to 5 reviewers, and finally selection after an interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the Biotechnology Ignition Grant? A: A grant of up to ₹50 lakh for 18 months, given in instalments linked to milestones. Q2: Who can apply for this grant? A: Individual innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and startups with a registered company or limited liability partnership, having a functional research laboratory or association with an incubator. Q3: When will the next application cycle open? A: Application cycles open twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July. The last cycle closed on 30 November 2025 and the next cycle is expected to open on 1 January 2027. Q4: Is this grant given for basic research? A: No, this grant is not for basic research. It is for ideas with commercial potential that need to be taken to proof of concept.
Useful links
- Scheme details on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/big
- BIRAC website: https://birac.nic.in/big.php
- Also see — DBT Junior Research Fellowship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-dbt-junior-research-fellowship-haryana/
- Complete list of all 726 Central Government schemes: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
