Laboratory pipette dispensing into a microtiter plate — biotech R&D

BIRAC Climate & Biotech Grants India

BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) and the Department of Biotechnology run India’s most reliable non-dilutive pipeline for climate-biotech: the ₹50 lakh BIG ignition grant, the SEED fund, LEAP, Bio-AI, and now the monthly D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 challenge. These are the grants Indian climate founders actually apply to — no equity, milestone-based, government-backed.

Every live BIRAC/DBT program we track is below, sorted by deadline. Closed windows are listed after, so you can see the cadence and catch the next cycle.

Green Hydrogen GrantsCSR GrantsAll Grants

Open Now

BIRAC SEED Fund — Biotech Startup Seed Funding
GrantOngoing

BIRAC SEED Fund — Biotech Startup Seed Funding

₹1 CrBIRAC / DBT
Rolling — check funder
DBT-BIRAC Bio-AI Grant — BioE3 Biomanufacturing Hubs
GrantOngoing

DBT-BIRAC Bio-AI Grant — BioE3 Biomanufacturing Hubs

₹1 Cr (per hub)BIRAC / DBT
Rolling — check funder
BIRAC LEAP Fund — Launching Entrepreneurial Driven Affordable Products
GrantOngoing

BIRAC LEAP Fund — Launching Entrepreneurial Driven Affordable Products

₹1 CrBIRAC / DBT
Rolling — check funder
BIRAC BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant)
GrantOngoing

BIRAC BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant)

₹50 LakhBIRAC / DBT
Rolling — check funder
C-CAMP — BIRAC SEED Scheme (Climate & Biotech)
GrantOngoing

C-CAMP — BIRAC SEED Scheme (Climate & Biotech)

₹50 LakhC-CAMP / BIRAC
Rolling — check funder
D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge (DBT-BIRAC)
Grant30 days

D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge (DBT-BIRAC)

₹1L – ₹25LDBT / BIRAC / BRIC-ILS
Closes: 2026-10-20

Recently Closed & Past Cycles

Past programs that show the shape of this funding space. Most run again — watch the funder page or our digest for the next window.

GCI-BIRAC Open Call (infectious disease priorities)

BIRAC

Grand Challenges India call, extended to 15 July 2026 then closed. BIRAC runs these calls in cycles — the CfP page lists the next open call.

Funder page →

BIRAC PCP Fund (Proof of Concept)

BIRAC

PCP fund call closed due to administrative reasons per BIRAC’s homepage. Watch the CfP page for reopening.

Funder page →

BIG Grant — 25th call window

BIRAC / DBT

BIG runs in numbered windows; earlier windows closed (extended to Nov 2025) and the scheme continues on a rolling basis — see the live BIG entry above.

Who's Been Funded

Real examples of founders and projects that received support from programs in this space. The best calibration for your own application.

String Bio

Bengaluru · Industrial Biotech · BIRAC BIG Grant

Methane-to-protein startup. Named BIG grantee on CCAMP’s official scheme page — CCAMP is a DBT-BIRAC supported bio-incubator.

Source →

Agdhi Technologies

Agritech · BIRAC BIG Grant

Agritech startup that publicly announced its BIG award; also listed among BIG grantees on CCAMP’s official scheme page.

Source →

How to Apply

Frequently asked questions

Is BIRAC BIG available to climate startups?

Yes. BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant) funds early-stage biotech including climate-biotech, bioenergy, and bio-based materials. ₹50 lakh non-dilutive over 18 months.

Do BIRAC grants take equity?

No. BIRAC schemes are government grants — non-dilutive and non-repayable. Some programs connect you to follow-on investors, but the grant itself takes no equity.

How often do BIRAC calls open?

BIG and SEED run on rolling/regular windows; BioE3 accepts monthly (1st–20th); targeted calls like GCI-BIRAC open periodically. The weekly digest on this site tracks every window.