Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit Section 8, Schedule B, Public Sector Enterprise, set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India as an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprise to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs. It runs various scheme for helping startups with funding and mentoring.
Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) is flagship programme of BIRAC, which provides the right admixture of fuel and support to young startups and entrepreneurial individuals. BIG is the largest early stage biotech funding programme in india. Funding grant of upto INR 5 Million (USD 70,000 approx) to best in class innovative ideas to build and refine idea to proof-of-concept.
Objective
The objectives of the BIG scheme is to
- Foster generation of ideas with commercialisation potential
- Upscale and validate of proof of concept
- Encourage researchers to take technology closer to market through a start up
- Stimulate enterprise formation
As part of this scheme, successful BIG Innovators receive up to INR 50 lakh (USD 70,000 approx) for research projects with commercialization potential with duration of up to 18 months.
The call for proposal is announced twice a year, i.e. on 1st January and 1st July. Call for proposals typically remains open for about 45 days.
The BIG Scheme is currently managed through 8 BIG Partners (FITT being one such BIG Partner) across the country who works with the Ignition grantees (BIG Innovators) to provide mentoring, monitoring, networking and other business development related activities.
Here are the detailed guidelines of the BIG Scheme: https://birac.nic.in/webcontent/BIG_Guidelines_Version_8_Jul_2020.pdf
For Registration guidelines and Application Form, click here: https://birac.nic.in/big.php
