The “Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme (BIG)” is a flagship scheme of BIRAC which recognizes and invests in innovative ideas in the biotech sector. BIG scheme supports individual...
Department: · Level: central
Support provided to grantees under the scheme: 1. Under the BIG scheme, BIRAC provides a grant-in-aid of up to INR 50 lakhs (approx. USD 75,000) for a period of 18 months. 2. BIG Partners and BIRAC provide continuous mentoring support to the grantees, including but not limited to the following: • Technical Mentoring (Connect with Technical Experts) • IP Support • Legal Support • Networking and Outreach • Trainings • Regulatory Advice • Business Mentoring • Connect with Investors • Any other assistance on a case basis
> **Eligibility criteria for an Individual:** 1. The individual applicant should be an Indian citizen. 2. The primary applicant should be the Project Leader. 3. The applicant has to be incubated in an incubator (Incubator could be located anywhere in the country and may/may not be supported by BIRAC). At the time of application, the applicant is expected to have identified a preferred incubator. LoI/MoU with the incubator is required for final approval. 4. If the applicant is formally employed (or registered as a student) with an academic or research organization, then • the applicant has to produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the competent authority of the organization indicating that the organization has policies in place to allow the applicant while in service/ on sabbatical/on Extraordinary Leave: • accept funding support (if successful) as an individual, • manage the funds through a separate no-lien account in individual capacity • undertake the BIG project in an incubator • to create an enterprise. • Alternatively, the applicant needs to provide an undertaking that he/she plans to terminate his/her association with the current employer and take up the project fu...
**Online** > **Application process:** **Step 01:** BIRAC issues a national call inviting applications under BIG at least twice a year (1st of January & 1st of July). The Call for Proposals is advertised through one or more means that may include the BIRAC website, newspapers, journals, and magazines. The Call for Proposals is typically open for a period of up to one and a half months. **Step 02:** Application for BIG needs to be submitted online ONLY through the BIRAC website [www.birac.nic.in](https://birac.nic.in/login.php). **Step 03:** For proposal submission, the applicant can register on the BIRAC website under “BIG User”. **Step 04:** The eligible applicants can fill up and submit their applications by visiting the official website. **Note 01:** The BIG Scheme is implemented across the country through BIRAC’s BIG Partners. The Call will mention the names of BIG Partners for the particular call. Names of the BIG Partners and their responsibilities are mentioned in Annexure 2. **Note 02:** Applicants are advised to provide sufficient details in their applications to allow for an informed and fair evaluation/review. **Note 03:** Requests for changes in a proposal o...