Faculty Innovation & Startup Traction (FIST)
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Quick Answer
The FIST program by BITS BioCyTiH Foundation provides up to INR 75 Lakhs in combined grants and equity investment to faculty-led translational research aiming to commercialize TRL 7+ technologies in healthcare, agriculture, and environment.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹75L
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- BITS BioCyTiH Foundation
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 20 July 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by BITS BioCyTiH Foundation. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation (BBF), a Section 8 company established by Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani and funded under the NM-ICPS program of DST, Government of India, introduces the Faculty Innovation & Startup Traction (FIST) Program. As a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) focused on "Bio-Cyber Physical Systems (Bio-CPS)", BBF aims to foster research, innovation, skill development, and training through mentoring and nurturing startups and entrepreneurs, and industry & academia collaborations to undertake cutting edge research and provide affordable solutions in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, water, and environment. Bio-Cyber Physical Systems (Bio-CPS) is an interdisciplinary field that synergistically combines principles from biology, electronics, computer science, and related disciplines to offer transformative solutions, employing cutting-edge technologies like IoT, ML, AI, AR, and Smart Sensors. The FIST program is a crucial component of BBF's Technology Development vertical, specifically designed to accelerate the transformation of advanced academic research into viable commercial products and technologies. It addresses significant technical and financial challenges primarily within the healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sectors, including water. The program targets translational research revolving around advanced technology and market-ready products, with a strong emphasis on projects that are either inherently Bio-CPS or incorporate a Bio-CPS component for value enhancement. It seeks to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and market deployment by supporting faculty members and scientists in developing mature technologies (TRL 7 and above) into Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and eventually into successful spin-off startups. The foundation encourages collaborative projects involving universities, industries, and research establishments, with a preference for industry partnerships to ensure market relevance and successful commercialization. This initiative offers crucial support for product refinement opportunities for faculties/scientists.
Eligibility
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Grant providers
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation (BBF) is a Section 8 non-profit company hosted by BITS Pilani and funded under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It is a Technology…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹75L
- Fund type
- Grant
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
The FIST program provides substantial financial support of up to INR 75 Lakhs through a strategic blend of grants and equity investment. The grant component is designed to fuel core research and development activities, enabling faculty and scientists to refine their prototypes and advance their technology readiness. Concurrently, the investment component aims to drive long-term startup growth and market traction, ensuring that innovative solutions reach their full commercial potential. Beyond direct funding, selected projects benefit from comprehensive incubation support, which includes mentorship, access to lab infrastructure for research, testing, and fabrication, and strategic networking opportunities. BBF also facilitates intellectual property (IP) management, including shared ownership and technology transfer, and encourages spin-off startups to leverage their full suite of incubation services for successful commercialization. This support aims to refine products and develop technology from TRL 7 onwards towards MVP, spin-off, and commercialization.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Duration
- 6 months
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The selection process for the FIST program is highly competitive and involves a multi-stage evaluation. Initial screening will focus on the quality and completeness of the submitted proposal, assessing the technical merit, market potential, and alignment with the program's objectives. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited for an online presentation, where they will articulate their project's vision, progress, and commercialization strategy to a selection committee comprising experts from BITS BioCyTiH Foundation, BITS Pilani, and potentially external industry or academic specialists. This presentation will be followed by necessary due diligence, which may include verification of submitted documents, assessment of laboratory access, and discussions on IP ownership and commercialization pathways. The final selection will be based on a holistic evaluation of these criteria, ensuring that only the most promising and impactful translational research projects are chosen for support.
Application Process
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Prepare Documents
Gather all required and optional documents, ensuring they meet size specifications.
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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
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the primary objective of the FIST program?
A: The FIST program aims to expedite the transformation of advanced academic research into viable commercial products and technologies, particularly those related to Bio-Cyber Physical Systems, to address challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and environment.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for the FIST program?
A: Applicants must hold a regular position within a UGC-recognized academic institute or a government research establishment. The Principal Investigator must have necessary lab access, and the technology should be at TRL 7 or higher with demonstrable market feasibility.
Q: What kind of financial support does the FIST program offer?
A: The program offers financial support of up to INR 75 Lakhs, which is structured as a combination of grants for R&D and investments to foster long-term startup growth and market traction, alongside incubation services.
Q: Is there an equity component involved in the funding?
A: Yes, in the event of a startup emerging from the project, BITS BioCyTiH Foundation (BBF) should be offered equity. Startups are also encouraged to avail of BBF's incubation services.
Q: What Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is required for applications?
A: The technology or product should be at a mature stage, specifically TRL more than 7, poised for commercialization, with demonstrable technology and feasibility to meet market requirements.
Q: What happens to Intellectual Property (IP) developed during the program?
A: Ownership of new intellectual property developed through the project will be shared with BITS BioCyTiH Foundation (BBF). BBF will also facilitate technology transfer, which will involve a mutually agreed fee or royalty.
Q: What are the key outcomes expected from the FIST program?
A: Key outcomes include a deployable technical solution with promising impact, shared IP ownership with BBF, facilitated technology transfer, and the potential emergence of a startup where BBF would receive equity and offer incubation.
Q: What is the application deadline for the FIST program?
A: The application deadline is July 20th, 2026. Submissions must be made via the provided Google Form link.
Q: Are collaborative projects preferred?
A: Yes, collaborative projects are strongly encouraged, especially those between universities, research establishments, and industry/startups. Preference will be given to collaborations involving industry partners.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
