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

Ten active grants, incubation programs, and competitions are currently open to health, pharma & biotech startups in India. These opportunities span government-backed healthcare innovation challenges, sector-specific incubators, and international research prizes.

The funding landscape for health, pharma & biotech in India combines central government schemes such as DBT-BIRAC's BioE3 challenge and MeitY-supported ESDM incubation with institutional accelerators run by AIIMS Patna, Villgro, and IIMA Ventures. Private and philanthropic prizes from Wellcome and the Marico Innovation Foundation add non-dilutive capital options for early-stage ventures.

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Active Health, Pharma & Biotech Grants and Programs

APIIC 2nd Incubation & Ignition Call 2026 (AIIMS Patna)

The APIIC 2nd Incubation & Ignition Call 2026 is operated by the AIIMS Patna Incubation and Innovation Council (APIIC), a DST-recognised NIDHI i-TBI. It supports healthcare and medical technology concepts moving from proof-of-concept to clinical validation, using clinical expertise from AIIMS Patna.

Selected startups receive incubation support and up to ₹10 lakh in funding. The program is designed for early-stage innovators and startups focused on transforming healthcare outcomes. Applications close 14 August 2026.

Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program (NASSCOM)

The Nasscom Deeptech Club Launchpad Incubation Program is a virtual incubator for early-stage deeptech startups with long gestation periods. It targets ventures developing advanced technologies, including those in health and pharma, and helps strengthen IP and market access.

The program runs on a rolling, pipeline-based model, letting startups join at the right stage rather than in fixed cohorts. NASSCOM provides connections to investors, industry partners, and global markets. Funding varies by venture needs; startups in the health and biotech deeptech space can apply throughout the year.

MAP-Health (Villgro)

MAP-Health is a market access program from Villgro, India's oldest social enterprise incubator. It supports social enterprises in Indian healthcare that are ready to enter or expand in the market. Villgro offers strategic guidance, investor links, and ecosystem networks built over decades of impact investing.

The program is aimed at ventures solving critical healthcare access problems. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Funding support varies depending on the venture's stage and market readiness.

EthAum Zero BS Healthcare Revenue Scaler Program (EthAum Venture Partners)

The EthAum Zero BS Healthcare Revenue Scaler Program is a 16-week hybrid accelerator for post-prototype healthcare and medical AI startups. EthAum Venture Partners runs it with access to enterprise customers, hospital pilots, and investors across Singapore, India, Japan, Hong Kong, the Middle East, and the UK.

Startups can receive up to ₹16.6 crore in financial support to drive revenue growth and market entry. The focus is on turning technologies into revenue-generating businesses. Applications are rolling; healthcare and medical AI startups at advanced stages should consider this program.

Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG) — RUSA 2.0 (Andhra University)

The Andhra University Centenary Innovation & Impact Grant (AUCIIG) provides up to ₹5 lakh per project under RUSA 2.0. It is open to research, prototyping, and startup ideas emerging from the Andhra University ecosystem, including healthtech and biotech.

AUCIIG is a non-dilutive grant designed to move lab or classroom work toward a market-facing venture. Selected innovators receive mentorship and validation support. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; projects from the AU ecosystem are eligible.

Indian Innovation Icons 2027 (Marico Innovation Foundation)

The Indian Innovation Icons 2027 is a biennial competition by the Marico Innovation Foundation. It identifies innovations across India, including healthcare and pharma, and provides strategic mentorship, investor access, business connections, and national visibility.

Both for-profit and not-for-profit organisations can apply. The program does not have a fixed deadline; applications are rolling. Funding varies based on the innovation and its stage.

D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge (DBT-BIRAC)

The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge is run by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), BIRAC, and BRIC-ILS under the BioE3 policy. It is open to young students and researchers across India, inviting concept proposals that use biotechnology for sustainability and scalability in areas such as health, pharma, environment, and economy.

Round 1 awards ₹1 lakh to the top 10 concept proposals each month, with up to 120 winners across 12 months. Winners also receive mentorship from DBT-BIRAC and access to 15 iBRIC+ institutions and 95 Bio-NEST incubators. Monthly submissions run from November 2025 through October 2026; final deadline for this cycle is 31 October 2026.

The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature (Wellcome)

The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature is an international prize for novel interventions targeting anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Wellcome and Nature jointly organise it to accelerate adoption and policy prioritisation of effective mental health solutions.

Prize funding can reach up to ₹9.53 crore. The competition is open to innovators and researchers anywhere; applications close 15 September 2026. Health and pharma startups with mental health interventions are eligible.

Swanari TechSprint 4.0: AI for Inclusive Finance (IIMA Ventures)

The Swanari TechSprint 4.0 is an innovation challenge co-created by RBIH and IIMA Ventures. It focuses on AI-led fintech solutions for women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India, including secure digital bookkeeping, credit access, and savings tools.

This competition is relevant for ventures building AI-driven financial inclusion platforms serving rural women. Applications close 15 August 2026. The program aims to build resilient infrastructure for financial inclusion and supports selected solutions through capacity building.

Open Challenge Program (OCP) 8.0 - Electropreneur Park Bhubaneswar (Electropreneur Park Bhubaneswar)

The Open Challenge Program (OCP) 8.0 is run by Electropreneur Park Bhubaneswar, a STPI and MeitY-supported incubation centre. It focuses on Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM), including semiconductor design, AI, IoT, robotics, and embedded systems. Ventures developing ESDM solutions, including healthcare hardware and medical IoT, can apply.

Selected startups receive up to ₹25 lakh in funding along with incubation support. The deadline is 9 August 2026. The program specifically targets ESDM-sector ventures with high growth potential.

Before Applying

Before applying, verify eligibility. AUCIIG is restricted to projects from the Andhra University ecosystem. D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge targets young students and researchers only. EthAum requires post-prototype healthcare and medical AI startups, and OCP 8.0 is limited to ESDM-sector ventures. If your startup falls outside these boundaries, focus on rolling programs like Nasscom, MAP-Health, or Marico.

Deadlines vary. OCP 8.0 closes 9 August 2026, APIIC on 14 August, and Swanari TechSprint on 15 August. Wellcome Prize closes on 15 September and D.E.S.I.G.N. on 31 October. Rolling programs accept applications year-round, but cohort-based and prize competitions require submissions by the given dates. Check each program's detailed page for exact submission requirements.