Health, Pharma & Biotech Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — August 2026

Indian Health, Pharma & Biotech startups currently have access to 10 active funding and support programs. These opportunities include grants, incubation programs, and innovation challenges designed to accelerate growth in the sector.The funding landscape for Health, Pharma & Biotech in India features institutional programs from incubators and accelerators, corporate initiatives, university-backed grants, and global competitions. These programs support innovations from early-stage prototyping to market expansion, fostering technological and social impact.## Active Health, Pharma & Biotech Grants and Programs| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding || --- | --- | --- | --- || Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program | Incubation | Rolling | Varies || MAP-Health | Incubation | Rolling | Varies || EthAum Zero BS Healthcare Revenue Scaler Program | Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹16.6 crore || Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG) — RUSA 2.0 | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹5 lakh || Cisco LaunchPad | Incubation | Rolling | Varies || Indian Innovation Icons 2027 | Competition | Rolling | Varies || The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature | Competition | 15 September 2026 | Up to ₹9.52 crore || Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) | Competition | Rolling | Varies || The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize | Competition | 16 September 2026 | Up to ₹18.37 crore || UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 | Competition | 30 August 2026 | Up to ₹56.75 lakh |## Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program (NASSCOM)The Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program supports early-stage, long-gestation deeptech startups in India. It focuses on enabling ventures working on advanced and frontier technologies to accelerate growth, strengthen technological and intellectual property capabilities, and gain access to markets and investors. The initiative aims to strengthen India's global leadership in deeptech innovation.The program operates a continuous, pipeline-based incubation model, allowing startups to engage throughout the year rather than through fixed cohorts. This flexible structure ensures startups can enter at their stage of readiness and receive tailored support. Funding varies based on startup needs and program outcomes.## MAP-Health (Villgro)The MAP-Health (Market Access Partnerships) program, led by Villgro, accelerates market entry and expansion for social enterprises in the Indian healthcare sector. Villgro supports innovative and impactful social enterprises, offering a platform for scaling solutions addressing critical societal needs. The program uses Villgro's experience in impact investing and social entrepreneurship to foster market-ready innovations.Villgro is India's oldest social enterprise incubator, dedicated to empowering early-stage social enterprises. MAP-Health provides strategic interventions and expert guidance. Funding varies, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.## EthAum Zero BS Healthcare Revenue Scaler Program (EthAum Venture Partners)The EthAum Zero BS Healthcare Revenue Scaler Program is a 16-week hybrid accelerator designed to transform post-prototype healthcare and medical AI startups into revenue-generating, investment-ready enterprises. EthAum provides tools, connections, and support for rapid scaling. Participants gain access to enterprise customers, hospital pilot opportunities, strategic partnerships, and a network of investors across Singapore, India, Japan, Hong Kong, the Middle East, and the UK.The program focuses on accelerating market entry and revenue growth for innovative healthcare technologies. EthAum's approach aims to provide tangible business outcomes. Startups can receive up to ₹16.6 crore in funding. Applications are rolling.## Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG) — RUSA 2.0 (Andhra University)The Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG) offers up to ₹5 lakh per project. Launched by Andhra University under RUSA 2.0, it marks the university's centenary. The program accelerates research, prototyping, and startup ideas originating within the AU ecosystem. It functions as a non-dilutive pathway from academic work to market-facing ventures.AUCIIG supports a broad range of focus areas, including HealthTech. Beyond the cash component, selected innovators receive mentorship, validation support, and a structured prototype-to-product process. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.## Cisco LaunchPad (Cisco)Cisco Cisco LaunchPad serves as a B2B Corporate Accelerator supporting deep-tech startups pioneering disruptive technologies. It aligns with Cisco's strategic vision, co-creating solutions that deliver value to Cisco and society through a collaborative ecosystem. The initiative cultivates solutions for the next generation of internet users, combining Cisco's technologies, startups, and partners.The program facilitates the development of business-relevant, end-to-end technological solutions. It emphasizes collaboration and innovation. Funding varies, and applications are rolling.## Indian Innovation Icons 2027 (Marico Innovation Foundation)The Indian Innovation Icons program, by the Marico Innovation Foundation, identifies and amplifies India's groundbreaking innovations. The 11th edition for 2027 supports founders and innovators tackling significant real-world challenges. It provides a system of strategic mentorship, investor access, business connections, and national visibility.This initiative accepts applications from for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations. It connects industry leaders, advisors, and a network of stakeholders to accelerate innovation. This competition has rolling applications and varied funding.## The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature (Wellcome)The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science, in partnership with Nature, supports novel interventions to improve the lives of individuals with anxiety, depression, and psychosis. This international prize aims to accelerate the development, adoption, and policy prioritization of effective solutions, fostering a global ecosystem of mental health innovation.Organized by Wellcome, a global charitable foundation, and Nature, a science publisher, the prize provides resources and platforms. Wellcome supports research in life, health, and wellbeing, focusing on mental health. Winners can receive up to ₹9.52 crore. The deadline for applications is 15 September 2026.## Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) (Capgemini)The Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) initiative strengthens regional innovation ecosystems across India. It fosters collaboration between innovators, academic institutions, ecosystem partners, and community groups. This approach ensures solutions are innovative and address community needs.Powered by Capgemini and implemented by BharatCares with SRF Foundation, ISGBB drives social impact. This competition has rolling applications and varied funding.## The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize (Wellcome)The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize, launched by Wellcome and delivered by Challenge Works, addresses snakebite envenoming. Up to 2.7 million people are bitten annually, leading to over 100,000 deaths and 400,000 disabilities globally, affecting rural communities in regions including South Asia.This prize seeks solutions strengthening community responses, accelerating access to care, or improving treatment delivery for snakebite. It supports both early-stage concepts and scaling solutions. Innovators can receive up to ₹18.37 crore. The deadline for applications is 16 September 2026.## UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 (UAE-India CEPA Council)The UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 fosters cross-border innovation and entrepreneurship between India and the UAE. Anchored in the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), it targets high-potential Indian startups for expansion into the UAE and beyond. It aims to deepen economic ties and collaborative efforts in technology and business.This series facilitates market access, investment pathways, and partnerships for Indian startups scaling globally. It is a competition offering up to ₹56.75 lakh. The application deadline is 30 August 2026.## Before ApplyingHealth, Pharma & Biotech startups should review program-specific eligibility. The Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG) targets innovations originating within the AU ecosystem. The EthAum Zero BS Healthcare Revenue Scaler Program focuses on post-prototype healthcare and medical AI startups ready for revenue generation. The UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 specifically targets high-potential Indian startups seeking to expand internationally.Several programs, including Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad, MAP-Health, EthAum Zero BS Healthcare Revenue Scaler, Andhra University AUCIIG, Cisco LaunchPad, Indian Innovation Icons 2027, and Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB), accept applications on a rolling basis, allowing continuous engagement. However, The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science closes on 15 September 2026, The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize on 16 September 2026, and the UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 has a deadline of 30 August 2026, indicating specific intake periods for these competitions.