BIRAC, RDI Fund , Research, Development & Innovation Fund

• Biotech startups at product or revenue stage with TRL 4+ technology seeking BIRAC funding.

About this scheme

The BIRAC, Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) Fund is a flagship Government of India initiative designed to catalyse high-impact deep-tech innovation and transformative indigenous manufacturing in biotechnology and related sectors. Anchored in the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the fund focuses on enabling delta-change innovations rather than incremental improvements, with a strong emphasis on global benchmark-setting technologies and national strategic relevance.

The fund supports transformative projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, targeting technologies that demonstrate validated proof-of-concept and are ready for further development, scale-up, and commercialization. It prioritises ROI-intensive technologies rooted in advanced science and engineering, often characterised by high uncertainty in functionality, production, adoption pathways, and standards formation. The programme particularly encourages foundational bio-platforms capable of spawning multiple applications and intellectual property families, as well as innovations that reduce import dependence and strengthen India's manufacturing and supply-chain resilience.

Through a co-investment model offering funding support from Rs. 5 crore up to Rs. 200 crore, BIRAC provides patient capital with risk-mitigating support. The fund is structured to cover R&D, scale-up activities, and innovative indigenous manufacturing, including advanced bioprocessing systems, reagents, viral vectors, complex media, and high-value equipment. Support may extend up to 50% co-investment to strengthen private sector R&D and crowd in additional capital.

The initiative spans application domains including healthcare and biopharma, agriculture and food systems, environment and climate solutions, industrial and synthetic biology, bioenergy and circular bioeconomy, AI and machine learning applications in biotechnology, and other emerging interdisciplinary areas aligned with national priorities.

Who can apply

• Projects must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above with defined milestones, deliverables, and timelines.
• Any legal entity registered and incorporated in India under applicable laws including the Companies Act, 2013; Indian Partnership Act, 1932; Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008; including startups as per DPIIT Notification G.S.R. 127(E) dated 19 February 2019.
• Must have principal place of business/operations in India and registered global headquarters in India.
• Entity must be under the control of resident Indian citizens as defined in DPIIT Consolidated FDI Policy (2020).
• Must be engaged in ROI-intensive technologies in biotechnology and related areas aligned with national relevance.

Eligible entity types: LLP, Partnership, Private Limited

Frequently asked questions