BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call
Under BIRAC Grand Challenges India (GCI) by BIRAC
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
BIRAC GCI grant up to ₹2 crore for breakthrough screening & diagnostics innovations in TB, emerging pathogens and enteric disease.
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 1 July 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by BIRAC. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
This Open Call under Grand Challenges India (GCI–BIRAC), administered by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council under the Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India, supports indigenous innovations and transformative solutions in four priority infectious disease areas — tuberculosis, emerging pathogens, syndromic panels and enteric pathogens. The call targets high-risk, high-reward innovations for screening and diagnostics, with an emphasis on near point-of-care and ultra-low-cost solutions designed to significantly improve accessibility and availability.
The Call offers two funding tiers. The Exploratory tier provides up to ₹50 lakh over a 12-month duration for high-risk early proposals. The Solution / Innovation / Product / Technology tier provides up to ₹2 crore over an 18-month duration for proposals advancing toward product or technology development and deployment.
The Call is open to a broad set of applicants: Indian academic and research institutions, public and private R&D organisations, start-ups, and not-for-profit foundations. Multidisciplinary partnerships and consortia-based applications are strongly encouraged — academic, clinical and industry-led collaborations are explicitly welcomed.
Beyond direct funding, awardees receive technical handholding from BIRAC / GCI and access to scale-up and deployment pathways. Applications must be submitted through the BIRAC online portal only; applicants need to register on the BIRAC portal first. The Call was announced on 12 May 2026 and applications close on 1 July 2026 at 2:00 PM IST.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit Section 8 company and a Schedule B public sector enterprise, set up by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It describes itself as an interface…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹2Cr
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Direct cash grant in two tiers: up to ₹50 lakh for the Exploratory tier over 12 months, or up to ₹2 crore for the Solution / Innovation / Product / Technology tier over 18 months. Awardees additionally receive technical handholding, mentoring, and access to scale-up and deployment pathways through BIRAC and Grand Challenges India. The grant is non-dilutive — BIRAC does not take equity. Disbursement is typically tranche-based against project milestones.
- Disbursement
- Tranched
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Submitted proposals are reviewed by expert panels / scientific committees convened by BIRAC and Grand Challenges India. Evaluation criteria typically include scientific merit, innovation quality, feasibility, public-health impact (with emphasis on accessibility / affordability for screening and diagnostics), team capability and the strength of multidisciplinary / consortium partnerships. Selected awardees enter into a funding agreement with BIRAC and receive funds against project milestones over 12 months (Exploratory) or 18 months (Solution / Product tier).
Application Process
- 1
BIRAC Portal Registration
Register the applicant entity / lead PI on the BIRAC online portal to obtain credentials needed for proposal submission.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for this BIRAC GCI Call?
Indian academic and research institutions, public and private R&D organisations, start-ups incorporated in India, and not-for-profit foundations. Multidisciplinary and consortia-based applications (academic + clinical + industry) are encouraged.
How much funding does the Call offer?
Two tiers: an Exploratory tier with support up to ₹50 lakh for up to 12 months, and a Solution / Innovation / Product / Technology tier with support up to ₹2 crore for up to 18 months.
What focus areas are eligible?
Innovations for screening and diagnostics in four priority infectious disease areas: (i) tuberculosis, (ii) emerging pathogens, (iii) syndromic panels and (iv) enteric pathogens. Emphasis is on near point-of-care and ultra-low-cost solutions.
Does BIRAC take equity in selected projects?
No. The Grand Challenges India scheme is a non-dilutive grant — BIRAC does not take equity in awardee organisations.
Can not-for-profit foundations and NGOs apply?
Yes. Not-for-profit foundations are explicitly listed as eligible applicants alongside academic / research institutions, R&D organisations and start-ups.
Are consortia required?
Consortia are strongly encouraged but not strictly required. The Call emphasises multidisciplinary partnerships across academic, clinical and industry actors.
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 1 July 2026 at 2:00 PM IST. The Call was announced on 12 May 2026.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
