BIRAC BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant)

BIRAC's flagship grant program supporting early-stage biotech startups for converting innovative ideas into proof-of-concept, prototypes, and commercial products. BIG's ₹50 lakh ceiling is disbursed in stages against milestones agreed with a BIG Partner institution (Venture Center, KIIT-TBI and similar incubators nationwide administer the scheme on BIRAC's behalf), rather than as a lump sum on approval. The program is deliberately positioned at the earliest stage of the biotech pipeline — converting a lab discovery into a validated prototype or IP — so proposals are evaluated on technical novelty and a credible commercialization pathway rather than existing revenue. Because it accepts Proprietorship and Section 8 applicants alongside Pvt Ltd and LLP, individual researchers and academic spinouts without a fully formed company structure can still apply.