Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme (BIG)
Department of Biotechnology / Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
New guidelines Nov 2025. The 25th call closed 30 Nov 2025; no 2026 call had been announced on BIRAC's call page as of early Oct 2026 — watch birac.nic.in/cfp.php for the next call.
What changed: Next call awaited
Sources (2)
The Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) Scheme provides early-stage funding and support to biotech innovators and startups so they can turn promising scientific ideas into viable products and businesses.
Objectives
Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) is a flagship programme of BIRAC, which provides support to young startups and entrepreneurial individuals. BIG is the largest early-stage biotech funding programme in India.
Who can apply?
- Individual Entrepreneurs and startups
- The applicant must be incubated in an incubator (may/may not be supported by BIRAC).
What do you get?
- Grant-in-aid of up to ₹50 lakh provided to startup for a period of up to 18 months.
- During the BIG tenure, BIRAC extends several networking opportunities to connect with experts, mentors, industry, investors, peer to peer learning, specialized trainings & workshops, exposure to various platforms on merit basis
How to apply
BIRAC issues a national call inviting applications under BIG at least twice a year (typically on 1st of January & 1st of July). The Call for Proposals is typically open for a period of 30-45 days. Application for BIG needs to be submitted online only through BIRAC website www.birac.nic.in