Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme (BIG)
BIG is a 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.
The Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) scheme of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Government of India. The scheme enables technology innovators and entrepreneurs to pursue a promising technology idea, and establish and validate proof of concept (POC) for the idea. By funding establishment and validation of POC, BIRAC wishes to help innovators and entrepreneurs advance an idea closer to eventual commercialization/implementation in the form of technology licenses or creation of start-up companies or raising investments for the company. The scheme aims to support high-risk technology ideas with considerable potential for impact.
Purpose of BIG-18 Scheme
- Foster generation of ideas with commercialization 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.
Call announcement
BIG-18 will accept applications from January 1, 2021 until February 15, 2021 (5:30 PM). The BIG Scheme is currently managed through 8 BIG Partners across the country who work with the Ignition grantees (BIG Innovators) to provide mentoring, monitoring, networking and other business development related activities. BIRAC also has 11 BIG associate partners for outreach and primary mentoring.
For more information on BIG-18 please visit the following link: