About this programme
BIRAC's Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) is the flagship early-stage biotechnology funding programme of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, and is India's largest early-stage biotech grant scheme. It supports young startups, entrepreneurs and technology innovators to translate innovative biotech ideas into a validated proof of concept. Funding is provided as non-repayable grant-in-aid of up to Rs 50 lakh per project, disbursed over a project tenure of up to 18 months. FITT (Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer), IIT Delhi acts as one of BIRAC's designated BIG Partners/Incubators, providing mentoring, monitoring, networking and business development support to grantees routed through it. Calls for proposals are typically announced twice a year (around January 1 and July 1) and remain open for about 45 days. It is run by FITT - IIT Delhi.
A grant is financial support you don’t repay — awarded against eligibility and, usually, agreed milestones or utilisation of funds. The amount and form of support that actually apply to you depend on the programme’s rules and how your application is assessed — they are not fixed for every applicant.
It is aimed at businesses in biotechnology (life sciences, healthcare, agri-biotech, industrial biotech and related biotech innovation). Like most government programmes, it has its own eligibility conditions, documentation and application window, and these terms are revised from time to time. Because of that, it is worth confirming the current eligibility, amount and deadline on the official programme page before you invest time in applying.
Who can apply
Open to start-ups/entrepreneurs and technology innovators with an innovative biotechnology idea having commercialization potential, who route their application through a designated BIG Partner/Incubator such as FITT, IIT Delhi; detailed eligibility (entity registration, individual vs. company applicant norms) is specified in BIRAC's official BIG Scheme guidelines.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Business registration / incorporation certificate
- PAN (and GST registration, where applicable)
- Identity and address proof for the applicant / directors
- A short description of your business or project
- Recent financials or a simple project report
The exact checklist depends on the programme and your specifics.
Frequently asked
What kind of support is this?
A grant is financial support you don’t repay — awarded against eligibility and, usually, agreed milestones or utilisation of funds.
Who runs this programme?
BIRAC BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant) at FITT IIT Delhi is offered by FITT - IIT Delhi. Eligibility and approval rest with them; the criteria and amounts are set by the programme.
Is there a deadline to apply?
Programmes like this can be rolling or time-bound. Confirm the current window on the official programme page before you apply.
How do I know if I’m eligible?
Read “Who can apply” above for the programme’s own criteria. If you’d like a quick read on your specific case, our free 2-minute eligibility check maps your stage, sector and revenue to what you can realistically claim.
Reviewed July 2026. Government programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official programme page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.