The Government of India is taking immense measures to inculcate entrepreneurial spirit. Among the various government funding opportunities available, DBT-BIRAC's Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) is one such flagship program that will support the prototype development of life science-oriented solutions. The programs like the DBT-BIRAC Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) supports high-risk, deep-tech innovations aimed at developing life science–oriented prototypes and market-ready solutions. It provides funding of up to INR 50 lakh for 18 months, enabling innovators to explore themes such as Medical Devices, Drugs and Vaccines, Biosimilars and Stem Cells, Diagnostics, Industrial Biotechnology, Biofuels, Agriculture, Secondary Agriculture, Biopesticides, Food Processing, Animal Husbandry, Waste Management, Clean Energy, and AI/ML-driven Automation.
BIRAC encourages projects that integrate biotechnology with applied sciences, including Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Sensors, Automation, and Robotics, to drive innovation across healthcare, life sciences, agriculture, secondary agriculture, and other bio-based industries.
The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur is one of eight designated BIG partners. Since 2018, SIIC IIT Kanpur has guided innovators through proposal writing, mock presentations, and incubation, helping over 50 grantees mobilize INR 20+ crore. Supported by 60+ mentors, these startups receive technical, strategic, and business guidance to bring their innovations to market.
Medical
devices
AI/ML
Automation
Animal
Husbandry
Industrial Biotechnology
Biosimilars Stem cells
Waste Management
Biosimilars Stem cells
Food Processing
Biofuel
Diagnostics
Agriculture
Drugs vaccines
Months Program Duration
BIG Grantees Supported
Funding Released
Follow-on Funding
Applications Received
Any graduate or startup (< 5 years old w.e.f 1st Nov. 2020 and having > 51% shares with Indian citizens working in the biotechnology sector).
Private organisations
Public organisations
Section 8 companies
Not-for-profit
for-profit
Limited Liability partnerships
No; but only one project will be eventually funded.
The applicants can submit research proposals broadly focussed on any of the following areas:
1. Medical Biotechnology -
2. Plant, Animal, Marine Biotechnology
3. Agri-Tech: Pre and Post-harvesting Agromachinary, sensing devices and instruments etc. for agriculture
4. Environmental Engineering / Biotechnology
5. Industrial Biotechnology -
6. Bioinformatics and Bio-IT interface -
BIG applications seek proposals twice a year i.e., Jan-Mid Feb and July-Mid August.
Yes, it should be novel at least in India with no patents covering in part / whole technology to be indigenously developed.
The BIG Scheme encourages a high level of innovation. Nonetheless. existing ideas can be developed but should have a potential for commercial application or should address an unmet national need.
A guide or mentor with a technical and/or business expertise in the domain area of the technology is preferred but not compulsory.
Individual applicants are encouraged to apply with a Guide/Mentor.
No. The project has to finish in 18 months.
SIIC IIT Kanpur is authorized to sign an Agreement with the BIG Innovators on behalf of BIRAC as BIG partner. Under this agreement, its roles and responsibilities include To receive online applications on behalf of BIRAC
Screen BIG applications for eligibility and fit into the scheme Carry out Technical Review of eligible applications through Subject Experts (Reviewers) with relevant background and expertise. Shortlist proposals for presentation in front of the Technical Expert Panel (TEP).
Conduct technical & financial due diligence of the applicants finally shortlisted by the ESC.
Monitor the targeted milestones and disburse the funds accordingly to the selected BIG Innovator.
Provide mentorship and handholding for activities related to IP management, legal and contract, mobilizing resources and other business development related activities to all recipients of Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG innovators/grantees).
Organize workshops/seminars/mentoring sessions for the BIG Innovators.
Provide a platform for interaction with Senior/ Subject Experts and other academic partners.
Incubatee, in this context, is the main applicant (Project coordinator in case of individual application and startup in case of company application).
An incubator is any institutionally demarcated space that has the required lab infrastructure and soft infrastructure to support your proposed BIG work. Recognition DST NSTEDB, BIRAC, State Startup Mission, and similar government bodies will provide authenticity to its work.
BIG Partners are the institutes appointed by BIRAC to facilitate the BIG application process. SIIC IIT Kanpur is one of the BIG partners
A BIG partner helps you with preparing your BIG grant application, preparing your BIG presentation, connects you with business/technical mentor absolutely free of cost.
Your success is our success. If your project is selected for the BIG grant, we request you to get incubated physically at SIIC IIT Kanpur and make the most of the 600 Cr + infrastructure of IIT-K and its vast industrial, investor networks.
If relocation is not feasible then a virtual incubation is also possible.
A great written, video testimonial giving a strong recommendation of SIIC in your networks is a great way to help us expand our reach and further attract potential talent for future BIG cohorts.
BIG partner's job is to maximize your probability of success. They receive financial assistance from BIRAC to extend you these services.
Yes
The chosen BIG partners have sophisticated labs to support the execution of your proposed project.
No. It varies from partner to partner.
SIIC IIT Kanpur is the only incubator in the country which offers innovators and entrepreneurs access to all the institutional infrastructure at IIT Kanpur due to the hosts most liberal innovation policy.
Yes. The BIG partner itself is in a CDA with funding agency BIRAC.
All the online reviewers and expert members of evaluation panels sign a non-disclosure agreement and no conflict agreement before viewing the proposals.
Yes if the Institute has dedicated space and resources exclusively for the purposes of technology incubation, it can become a TBI.
The Incubators should have a legal status i.e should be either a registered society or a registered trust or a registered company (usually u/s 25).
Alternatively Institute proposing to be Incubators; -Should have a program for incubation (e.g. a dedicated facility) in place to incubate BIG Innovators. -Should have an agreement in place with the BIG Innovator/Incubatee.
An ad-hoc incubation by Institute is not encouraged.