India BIRAC
BIRAC India
Description
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit organization set up by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. BIRAC supports biotech startups through multiple funding mechanisms including the Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) offering ₹50 lakhs (~$60K USD), the Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI), and the BioNEST incubation program.
While focused on biotechnology, BIRAC's scope includes bioinformatics, AI/ML for healthcare, digital health, and medtech. For ZHC builders in India, BIRAC offers non-dilutive seed funding and incubation support specifically designed for early-stage biotech and health-tech ventures.
Eligibility
Key Programs
Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG)
- ₹50 lakhs (~$60K USD) for 18 months
- Proof of concept funding
- Open to individuals and startups
- No equity taken
Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI)
- Larger grants for established startups
- Focus on high-risk, innovative research
- Milestone-based payments
BioNEST
- Incubation program
- Lab infrastructure access
- Mentorship and networking
Eligibility
- Indian citizens or Indian-registered companies
- Biotechnology or healthcare focus
- Innovation in life sciences
- Early-stage (for BIG)
Focus Areas
- Drug discovery and development
- Medical devices and diagnostics
- Bioinformatics and computational biology
- AI/ML in healthcare
- Digital health solutions
- Agri-biotech
- Industrial biotech
ZHC-Specific Fit
✅ Excellent for:
- Indian health-tech startups
- AI/ML for medical applications
- Bioinformatics and genomics
- Digital health platforms
- Early-stage proof of concept
❌ Poor fit if:
- No biotech or health component
- Outside India (no local entity)
- Already well-funded (post-Series A)
Application Process
Application Process (BIG)
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Annual calls | Submit proposal online |
| Screening | 1-2 months | Initial review |
| Expert review | 2-3 months | Domain expert evaluation |
| Presentation | 1 month | Pitch to BIRAC committee |
| Approval | 1 month | Final decision and offer |
| Project start | 1 month | Agreement and first tranche |
| Total | 6-8 months | From application to funding |
BIG Grant Structure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant amount | ₹50 lakhs (~$60K USD) |
| Duration | 18 months |
| Equity | None (non-dilutive) |
| Milestones | Quarterly reviews |
| Utilization | R&D, equipment, personnel |
What You Get
- Non-dilutive seed funding
- BioNEST incubation access
- Lab infrastructure (at partner institutes)
- Mentorship from biotech experts
- Networking with investors and industry
- Regulatory guidance
- IP support and patent filing assistance
- Market access support