Access government funding for your healthcare, biotech, or medical device startup. Get grants up to ₹50 Lakhs through BIRAC BIG, SBIRI, BIPP, and other specialized health-tech funding schemes with expert application support.
India recognizes healthcare and biotechnology as priority sectors critical for national development. The government has established robust funding mechanisms through agencies like BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council), DBT (Department of Biotechnology), ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), and DST (Department of Science & Technology) to nurture health innovations.
Healthcare startup grants differ from general startup funding due to their focus on scientific rigor, regulatory compliance, and clinical validation. These grants support the entire innovation journey from proof-of-concept to clinical trials to market launch, understanding that healthcare products have longer development cycles and stringent approval requirements.
With India's push for "Make in India" for Medical Devices, affordable healthcare solutions, and becoming a global pharma hub, funding opportunities for health-tech entrepreneurs have never been better. Total government funding available for qualified healthcare startups can exceed ₹2-3 Crores through strategic combination of schemes.
Major Healthcare Startup Funding Schemes
BIRAC BIG Grant
Up to ₹50 Lakhs
Agency:
BIRAC/DBT
Type:
Grant-in-Aid
Focus: Proof-of-concept for biotech, medical devices, healthcare innovations
Eligibility: Scientists, startups, entrepreneurs with innovative ideas
SBIRI (Small Business Innovation Research Initiative)
Up to ₹1 Crore
Agency:
BIRAC/DBT
Type:
Grant (Phase I & II)
Focus: Late-stage product development and validation
Eligibility: Companies with proven PoC, ready for scale-up
BIPP (Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme)
Up to ₹50 Lakhs (50% support)
Agency:
BIRAC/DBT
Type:
Partial Grant
Focus: Industry-academia partnerships for advanced R&D
Eligibility: Companies with industry partnerships
SPARSH (Social Innovation Programme)
Up to ₹50 Lakhs
Agency:
BIRAC
Type:
Grant
Focus: Affordable healthcare for underserved populations
Eligibility: Social enterprises, rural health solutions
Grand Challenges India
Up to ₹1 Crore
Agency:
BIRAC/Gates Foundation
Type:
Grant
Focus: Global health challenges, infectious diseases, maternal health
Eligibility: Innovations addressing specific grand challenges
PRISM (Promoting Innovation in Individuals)
Up to ₹25 Lakhs
Agency:
DSIR
Type:
Grant
Focus: Individual innovators in healthcare
Eligibility: Individual entrepreneurs with health innovations
Healthcare Sectors Eligible for Funding
Biotechnology
Pharmaceuticals
Medical Devices
Diagnostics
Digital Health
Genomics
Vaccines
Drug Discovery
Healthcare AI
Telemedicine
Mental Health
Surgical Equipment
Regenerative Medicine
Point-of-Care Testing
Imaging Technology
Wearable Health Tech
BIRAC BIG Grant - Deep Dive
Funding Details
Grant amount: Up to ₹50 Lakhs
100% grant - No equity dilution
Project duration: 18 months
Milestone-based disbursement
Call for proposals: 2-3 times/year
What It Covers
Proof-of-concept development
Prototype development
Pre-clinical studies
Regulatory strategy development
IP protection and filing
Pro Tip: BIG Grant is ideal for early-stage innovations. Once you complete BIG successfully, you become eligible for SBIRI (up to ₹1 Crore) for advanced development, creating a funding continuum for your healthcare innovation.
General Eligibility for Healthcare Grants
Company Status
Registered Indian company (Pvt Ltd or LLP), typically less than 5-10 years old
Innovation Focus
Novel healthcare product/technology with clear scientific merit and differentiation
Team Expertise
Founders/team with relevant scientific, medical, or technical background
Regulatory Pathway
Clear understanding of regulatory requirements (CDSCO, FDA, CE marking as applicable)
Market Potential
Significant market opportunity with unmet medical need or affordability gap
IP Status
Patentable innovation or clear IP strategy for protection
Scientific Data
Preliminary data, proof-of-concept, or strong scientific hypothesis
Funding History
No duplicate funding from other sources for same project component
Healthcare Grant Application Process
1
Scheme Selection
Identify most suitable grant scheme based on your innovation stage, sector focus, and funding requirements
2
Scientific Proposal Development
Prepare detailed technical proposal with hypothesis, methodology, milestones, expected outcomes, and regulatory strategy
3
Documentation Preparation
Compile company documents, team CVs, preliminary data, IP status, financial projections, and market analysis
4
Application Submission
Submit during open call window on BIRAC/DBT portal with complete proposal package in prescribed format
5
Initial Screening
Technical screening by expert committee for scientific merit, innovation, and alignment with scheme objectives
6
Expert Evaluation
Detailed evaluation by domain experts including review of scientific validity, feasibility, and commercial potential
7
Presentation & Defense
Shortlisted candidates present to Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) defending scientific and business aspects
8
Final Approval
Committee approves selected projects. Agreement signed between BIRAC and grantee with milestone terms
9
Fund Disbursement
Grants released in tranches based on milestone achievement. Progress reports and audits required
Permitted Use of Healthcare Grant Funds
R&D Activities
Research, experimentation, and development work
Laboratory Testing
In-vitro and pre-clinical testing expenses
Prototype Development
Building and iterating product prototypes
Clinical Validation
Clinical trials and validation studies
Equipment & Consumables
Lab equipment, reagents, and materials
IP Protection
Patent filing and IP-related expenses
Regulatory Affairs
Regulatory filing preparation and fees
Key Talent
Hiring scientists and technical team
BIRAC Bio-Incubator Network
BIRAC has established Bio-Incubators (BioNEST) across India to support healthcare startups:
C-CAMP, Bangalore
Life Sciences & Biotech
KIIT-TBI, Bhubaneswar
Healthcare & Biotech
IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad
Pharma & Medical Devices
Venture Center, Pune
Life Sciences
FITT IIT Delhi
Medical Technology
SINE IIT Bombay
Healthcare Innovation
SIDBI Innovation, Lucknow
Affordable Healthcare
GN Ramachandran, Chennai
Biotechnology
CIIE IIM Ahmedabad
Health-tech Startups
Advantage: Being incubated at BIRAC BioNEST centres gives additional credibility to your grant application and access to specialized infrastructure, mentors, and networking opportunities.
What We Help You With
Scheme Eligibility Assessment
Scientific Proposal Writing
Technical Documentation
Regulatory Strategy Planning
IP/Patent Strategy
Financial Projections for Healthcare
Market Analysis & Sizing
Application Form Completion
Milestone Planning
Presentation Preparation
Expert Committee Defense Coaching
Post-Approval Compliance Support
Keys to Successful Healthcare Grant Applications
Strong Scientific Foundation
Clear hypothesis, validated methodology, and sound scientific reasoning
Preliminary Data
Any proof-of-concept data significantly strengthens application
Unmet Medical Need
Clear articulation of problem and why current solutions are inadequate
Regulatory Awareness
Understanding of approval pathway (CDSCO, FDA, CE) and compliance requirements
Qualified Team
Scientific expertise + business acumen in founding team
Clear Milestones
Realistic, measurable objectives with defined success criteria
IP Strategy
Patent filed or clear plan for intellectual property protection
Commercial Viability
Realistic path to market with clear business model
Typical Funding Timeline by Innovation Stage
Idea/Early Research
₹25-50 Lakhs
Schemes:
BIG Grant, PRISM
Timeline:
4-6 months approval
Next Stage:
Prototype Development
Proof-of-Concept Ready
₹50 Lakhs - ₹1 Crore
Schemes:
SBIRI Phase I, BIPP
Timeline:
6-9 months approval
Next Stage:
Clinical Validation
Pre-Clinical/Clinical
₹1-2 Crores
Schemes:
SBIRI Phase II, State Biotech Grants
Timeline:
6-12 months approval
Next Stage:
Regulatory Approval
Market Ready
Manufacturing support
Schemes:
Make in India Incentives, PLI Schemes
Timeline:
Varies
Next Stage:
Market Launch
Common Mistakes in Healthcare Grant Applications
✗
Weak scientific rationale without supporting literature or data
✗
Ignoring regulatory pathway and approval requirements
✗
Overambitious milestones unrealistic for proposed timeline
✗
Poor articulation of innovation and differentiation from existing solutions
✗
Team lacking essential scientific or clinical expertise
✗
No preliminary data or proof-of-concept to support claims
✗
Unclear commercialization strategy and market understanding
✗
Missing the call for proposals deadline
✗
Incomplete or poorly formatted application documents
✗
Not addressing scalability and affordability aspects
✗
Weak IP strategy or freedom-to-operate analysis
✗
Poor presentation during expert committee defense
Why Apply for Healthcare Grants with Saarthium?
Expert Scientific Proposal Writing
Healthcare Domain Expertise
BIRAC Application Experience
Regulatory Strategy Support
IP & Patent Guidance
High Success Rate
Multi-Scheme Strategy
Post-Approval Compliance Help
Important Points to Remember
Healthcare grants require rigorous scientific documentation - plan accordingly
BIRAC BIG calls are typically 2-3 times per year - monitor announcements
Regulatory pathway understanding is crucial for healthcare innovations
What government grants are available for healthcare startups in India?
India offers multiple healthcare-specific funding schemes: BIRAC BIG Grant (up to ₹50 Lakhs for proof-of-concept), SBIRI (up to ₹1 Crore for late-stage development), BIPP Scheme (up to ₹50 Lakhs for industry partnerships), SPARSH Program for social innovation, Grand Challenges India, ICMR extramural research funding, State Biotech policies, Make in India for Medical Devices, and various incubator-specific grants. Combined, startups can potentially access over ₹2-3 Crores in government funding.
What is BIRAC BIG Grant?
BIRAC BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant) is a flagship scheme by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under Department of Biotechnology (DBT). It provides grant-in-aid of up to ₹50 Lakhs to scientists, startups, and entrepreneurs for proof-of-concept (PoC) development in biotech, healthcare, medical devices, and life sciences. The grant is milestone-based and aims to transform innovative ideas into viable products. It's non-dilutive funding with no equity requirement.
Who is eligible for healthcare startup grants?
General eligibility includes: Indian registered company (Pvt Ltd, LLP) working in healthcare/biotech, startup typically less than 5-10 years old (varies by scheme), innovative product/technology with scientific merit, clear regulatory pathway, capable founding team with relevant expertise, and willingness to undergo rigorous scientific evaluation. Some schemes have additional criteria like previous funding limits, revenue caps, or sector-specific requirements (medical devices, pharma, diagnostics).
What healthcare sectors are covered under these grants?
Wide coverage including: Biotechnology (industrial, agricultural, environmental), Pharmaceuticals (drug discovery, formulations), Medical Devices (diagnostics, implants, equipment), Digital Health (telemedicine, health apps, AI diagnostics), Genomics & Precision Medicine, Vaccine Development, Biologics & Biosimilars, Point-of-Care Diagnostics, Healthcare AI/ML, Hospital Management Systems, Public Health Solutions, and Affordable Healthcare Innovations for rural/underserved populations.
How long does healthcare grant approval take?
Timelines vary significantly: BIRAC BIG Grant takes 4-6 months from application to approval, SBIRI Phase I takes 6-9 months, BIPP projects take 6-12 months given industry partnership requirements. Process includes: application submission during open call, initial screening, expert committee evaluation, presentation/defense, final approval, agreement signing, and milestone-based disbursement. Having complete scientific documentation, regulatory strategy, and strong preliminary data significantly reduces timeline.
Can we apply for multiple healthcare grants simultaneously?
Yes, strategic multiple applications are possible and recommended. However, you cannot receive funding for the same project/component from different schemes. For example, a medical device startup could apply for BIG Grant for PoC, then SBIRI for scale-up, while also availing state biotech policy benefits. Different aspects of the same product (research, clinical trials, manufacturing) can be funded through different schemes. We help create optimal funding strategy without duplication.