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

As of November 2026, ten active programs are available for Health & Lifesciences startups in India, encompassing a mix of grants, incubation support, and competitive challenges. The funding landscape for this sector benefits from targeted government initiatives, institutional seed support programs from academic and research bodies, and global competitions that offer both financial backing and vital industry exposure.

Active Health & Lifesciences Grants and Programs

BIRAC Femtech Call 2026 (BIRAC)

The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has launched the BIRAC Femtech Call 2026 to bolster Indian women founders in the women's healthcare domain. This initiative aims to accelerate the development of impactful, scalable solutions, supporting startups from early growth to scale-up stages. BIRAC seeks to address significant unmet needs within the sector.

The program offers investment opportunities and facilitates essential technology and market linkages across the innovation ecosystem. Its core objective is to nurture an entrepreneurial environment that specifically encourages and supports women-led ventures. The application deadline for this call is 23 November 2026.

Aarohan 7.0 – TIH IIT Bombay Seed Support Program (TIH IIT Bombay)

The Aarohan 7.0 Seed Support Program, led by TIH IIT Bombay, supports high-potential startups developing advanced IoT-enabled intelligent machines and systems. This program targets ventures that have validated their innovations in real-world environments and are ready for deployment and commercialization, including those in Health & Lifesciences utilizing deep tech and hardware.

TIH IIT Bombay, a hub under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and supported by DST, Government of India, offers financial backing up to ₹1 crore. This support aids in fostering a robust ecosystem for deep tech and hardware innovation. The deadline to apply is 22 November 2026.

IIT Indore LAUNCHPAD Incubation Cohort 2.0 (IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation)

IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, IIT Indore, and MPSeDC are seeking applications for the second Incubation Program cohort of the IIT Indore LAUNCHPAD Incubation Cohort 2.0. This program fosters technology-driven startups, including those in Health & Lifesciences, at various growth stages.

LAUNCHPAD offers an ecosystem designed to support startups from prototype development and technology validation to preparation for commercialization. Participants gain access to IIT Indore's research environment, infrastructure, and a network of industry experts and investors. Applications close on 15 November 2026.

Nexa Lighthouse Climate & Health 2026 (Novo Nordisk Foundation)

Co-led by Grand Challenges Canada and AVPN, with funding partners including the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Nexa Lighthouse Climate & Health 2026 program supports innovations protecting people in South and South-East Asia from the health effects of climate change. This call is for proven innovations.

Awards range from approximately US$250,000 to US$2 million (about ₹2.4–19 crore) for up to 24 months. While most funding is provided as grants, partners may also use debt or equity. Applications close on 17 November 2026 at 7:00 pm UTC.

World Diabetes Foundation Project Grant (World Diabetes Foundation)

The World Diabetes Foundation Project Grant provides funding from the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) for diabetes prevention and care projects in low- and middle-income countries. This initiative supports project partnerships with local organizations.

Applications are open year-round through a short concept note, indicating a rolling deadline. WDF funds projects rather than fixed-size awards. Applicants should check directly with WDF to understand potential funding amounts before planning budgets.

Global Deep Tech Battle @ CES 2027 (swisstech)

The Global Deep Tech Battle @ CES 2027 is a pitch contest organized by swisstech. The event features four battles, one specifically for HealthTech. Selected teams pitch live at the swisstech Pavilion at CES in Las Vegas on 6 and 7 January 2027.

Each battle awards one winner a US$3,000 (about ₹2.85 lakh) cash prize. Indian deep-tech startups are eligible, but the contest does not provide entry tickets, so participants must arrange their own travel and CES attendance. Entries close on 16 November 2026.

TISC Telangana Innovation Startup Challenge 2026 (Government of Telangana)

The Government of Telangana's TISC Telangana Innovation Startup Challenge 2026 invites startups, innovators, academic researchers, and student teams to co-create solutions for public service challenges in Telangana. This can include health-related problems faced by government departments.

This program offers a platform to develop and validate solutions in real-world environments, providing access to government stakeholders and domain experts. The goal is to identify impactful solutions. The deadline for applications is 20 November 2026.

Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2027 (Singapore Management University)

The Singapore Management University's Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE) hosts the 13th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC) 2027. This deep-tech startup pitch competition targets student and recent-graduate founders addressing urban and sustainability problems, where many Health & Lifesciences innovations can be relevant.

The competition offers a prize pool exceeding S$2.5 million (about ₹17.5 crore), comprising a mix of cash, investment, grants, and professional services. Fifty finalists are flown to Singapore for the Grand Finals. Applications are free and close on 31 March 2027.

Champalimaud Vision Award 2027 (Champalimaud Foundation)

The Champalimaud Vision Award 2027 is a €1,000,000 (about ₹10.9 crore) prize from the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal. It recognizes organizations that combat blindness and visual impairment or develop new technologies for blind and visually impaired individuals.

Organizations can apply or be nominated. The award funds can be used without commercial restrictions for basic, translational, or clinical research, clinical practice, or public health programs. Entries for the 2027 award must be received by 31 December 2026.

ACHEMA Start-up Award 2027 (DECHEMA)

DECHEMA, in collaboration with Business Angels FrankfurtRheinMain and High-Tech Gründerfonds, presents the ACHEMA Start-up Award 2027. This business-plan competition precedes ACHEMA 2027, a large process-industry trade fair in Frankfurt, and welcomes innovations relevant to the process industry, including certain Health & Lifesciences applications.

The winning team receives a cash prize of EUR 15,000 (about ₹16.4 lakh), awarded on stage at ACHEMA 2027. This is a competition prize, not a loan or investment. Complete business plans must be submitted by 30 November 2026.

Before Applying

Prospective applicants should note specific eligibility criteria. Programs like the TISC Telangana Innovation Startup Challenge 2026 are regionally focused, requiring solutions for public service challenges within Telangana. The Global Deep Tech Battle @ CES 2027 requires in-person attendance at CES, implying self-funded travel. The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2027 is specifically for student and recent-graduate founders.

Deadlines vary significantly, with several programs closing in November 2026, including IIT Indore LAUNCHPAD Incubation Cohort 2.0 (November 15), Nexa Lighthouse Climate & Health 2026 (November 17), TISC Telangana Innovation Startup Challenge 2026 (November 20), Aarohan 7.0 – TIH IIT Bombay Seed Support Program (November 22), and BIRAC Femtech Call 2026 (November 23). The World Diabetes Foundation Project Grant operates on a rolling basis, allowing applications throughout the year, while the Champalimaud Vision Award 2027 closes by the end of December 2026.