Health & Lifesciences Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — November 2026

This November 2026, Health & Lifesciences startups in India have access to 10 active funding opportunities. These include grants, seed funds, incubation programs, and global competitions, providing diverse avenues for innovation in critical healthcare and biological sciences.The Indian funding landscape for Health & Lifesciences is supported by a mix of institutional grants, specific project funding from foundations, and international competitions. These programs aim to advance research, development, and commercialization of solutions addressing global and regional health challenges.

Active Health & Lifesciences Grants and Programs

Nexa Lighthouse Climate & Health 2026 (Novo Nordisk Foundation)The Nexa Lighthouse Climate & Health 2026 is an innovation programme focused on climate and health. Co-led by Grand Challenges Canada and AVPN with funding from partners like the Novo Nordisk Foundation, this 2026 call supports innovations that safeguard people in South and South-East Asia from the health impacts of climate change. Awards range from approximately US$250,000 to US$2 million (₹2.4–19 crore) per innovation, offering up to 24 months of support.While most funding is provided as grants, partners may also utilise debt or equity. Applications for the 2026 call close on 18 November 2026. Indian startups with proven solutions addressing the nexus of climate and health in the specified regions are eligible to apply for this programme.## World Diabetes Foundation Project Grant (World Diabetes Foundation)The World Diabetes Foundation Project Grant provides funding from the independent World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), based in Gentofte, Denmark. This grant specifically supports projects in diabetes prevention and care within low- and middle-income countries. Applications are open year-round, starting with a short concept note, allowing for continuous submission.WDF funds project partnerships, meaning support is directed towards initiatives run in collaboration with local organisations, rather than fixed-size awards to individual startups. The grant amount is not specified on the official pages; applicants are advised to consult WDF directly for budget planning as part of their concept note submission. This program focuses on projects rather than direct startup funding.## CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call 2026 (CEPI)The CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call 2026, titled Innovations to Prepare for Future Epidemics and Pandemics, seeks new vaccine candidates for pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential. Currently, only Focus Area 2 is accepting applications. This call offers different levels of funding tailored to the stage of development.Awards include up to US$1 million (₹9.5 crore) for early work, up to US$5 million (₹47.5 crore) for preclinical development, and up to five years of support for clinical testing. The application deadline for this global call is 15 December 2026.The program offers three distinct award types: * Exploratory Award: Up to US$1 million (₹9.5 crore) over a maximum of 18 months, covering immunogen design, candidate characterisation, and immunogenicity studies.* Preclinical Development Award: Supports preclinical development phases.* Clinical Testing Support: Provides up to five years of support for clinical testing.## Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant (Temasek Foundation)Temasek Foundation, a philanthropic organisation from Singapore, operates an open Liveability & Sustainability Innovations Grant Call. This grant supports more mature applied and translational research and development, as well as the commercialisation of innovative solutions for liveability and sustainability challenges in Singaporean cities. The call is open on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadline.While solutions can originate from outside Singapore, including India, they must demonstrate a clear benefit or applicability within Singapore. The lead principal investigator for the project should ideally be based in Singapore. Funding amounts vary depending on the scope of work and are disbursed in phases tied to milestone completion. Projects can extend for up to three years.## Future of Health Grant 2027 (EPFL Innovation Park)The Future of Health Grant 2027 is a funding initiative for digital health startups, established by EPFL Innovation Park and Swiss health insurer CSS. It provides equity-free grants ranging from CHF 10,000 to CHF 50,000 (₹11.5 lakh to ₹57.5 lakh), alongside coaching, mentoring, and specialized support.The program is primarily designed for startups based in Switzerland. However, incorporated startups from outside Switzerland, including India, are eligible if their solution aligns with the Swiss healthcare system and they present a concrete plan for growth in Switzerland. Applications must be submitted by 15 January 2027.The program features three levels based on startup maturity: * Level 1, "Ignition": CHF 10,000 (₹11.5 lakh) with a 3-month programme.## Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2027 (Singapore Management University)The 13th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) 2027 is a deep-tech startup pitch competition organized by the Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE) at Singapore Management University (SMU). It targets student and recent-graduate founders developing solutions for urban and sustainability issues.The competition features a prize pool exceeding S$2.5 million (over ₹17.5 crore), comprising a mix of cash, investment, grants, and professional services. Applications are currently open, free of charge, and close on 31 March 2027. Fifty finalists will receive travel support to attend the Grand Finals in Singapore.## Champalimaud Vision Award 2027 (Champalimaud Foundation)The António Champalimaud Vision Award 2027 is a €1,000,000 (₹10.9 crore) prize from the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. This award recognises organisations dedicated to combating blindness and visual impairment or developing new technologies for blind and visually impaired individuals.Organisations can either self-apply or be nominated. The prize can be utilised for various purposes, including basic, translational, or clinical research, clinical practice, or public health programmes, without commercial restrictions. The award targets productive groups rather than individuals. Entries for the 2027 award must be received by the Foundation by 31 December 2026.## ACHEMA Start-up Award 2027 (DECHEMA)The ACHEMA Start-up Award 2027 is a business-plan competition hosted by DECHEMA, in collaboration with Business Angels FrankfurtRheinMain and High-Tech Gründerfonds. It precedes ACHEMA 2027, a significant process-industry trade fair in Frankfurt. The winning team receives EUR 15,000 (₹16.4 lakh).This prize is a competition award, not a loan or investment, with no equity taken. If the business is already incorporated, the prize is paid to the company. The deadline for submitting complete business plans is 30 November 2026.## MEDICA Start-up Competition 2027 (Innovation World Cup / Techpreneurs)The MEDICA Start-up Competition 2027 highlights innovations in digital health, as part of the Innovation World Cup series by Techpreneurs. It is associated with MEDICA in Düsseldorf, known as a major trade fair for healthcare digitalisation. The competition is open to innovators globally, including Indian health-tech startups.The winner receives €2,000 (₹2.18 lakh). Submissions close on 10 September 2027 at 04:29 IST. Cash prizes are awarded to the winner (€2,000), first runner-up (€1,000), and second runner-up (€500), with the overall competition page mentioning prizes of up to €3,500.## MIT Solve Global Health Challenge 2027 (MIT Solve) MIT Solve organises open innovation challenges, and its 2027 Global Health Challenge seeks technology-based solutions from individuals, teams, and organisations worldwide. The challenge prompts innovators to address how technology can enhance equitable health and quality care for all.Every selected Solver team receives a US$10,000 (₹9.5 lakh) grant. Applications for this challenge close very soon, on 6 November 2026 at 10:30 pm IST. Indian founders and organisations are eligible, provided their solution is technology-based and has reached at least a prototype level. Solver teams typically receive an average of US$40,000 (₹38 lakh) in additional support after selection.## Before ApplyingWhen considering these programs, applicants should note specific eligibility requirements. The Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant, for example, requires solutions to benefit Singapore and ideally have a lead principal investigator based there. Similarly, the Future of Health Grant 2027 is open to Indian startups only if their solution aligns with the Swiss healthcare system and they plan to grow in Switzerland. The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition specifically targets student and recent-graduate founders, while MIT Solve's Global Health Challenge mandates technology-based solutions at a prototype level or beyond.Timeliness is crucial, as several programs have impending deadlines. The MIT Solve Global Health Challenge 2027 closes on 6 November 2026, requiring immediate action. The Nexa Lighthouse Climate & Health 2026 deadline is 18 November 2026, followed by the ACHEMA Start-up Award 2027 on 30 November 2026 and the CEPI Vaccine Innovations Call 2026 on 15 December 2026. In contrast, the World Diabetes Foundation Project Grant and the Temasek Foundation Liveability Grant operate on a rolling application basis, allowing for more flexible submissions.