Health, Pharma & Biotech Startup Grants and Funding Programs in India — September 2026
Indian startups in Health, Pharma & Biotech can access 10 active funding and incubation programs in September 2026. These initiatives support innovation from early-stage concepts to market-ready solutions, offering grants, mentorship, and infrastructure.
Ten active programs are currently open for Health, Pharma & Biotech startups in India for September 2026, comprising a mix of grants, incubation programs, and competitions.
The funding landscape for Health, Pharma & Biotech in India features government schemes, institutional programs, and competitive challenges. These initiatives aim to foster innovation, facilitate commercialization, and support ventures addressing critical health and environmental issues.
Active Health, Pharma & Biotech Grants and Programs
| Program | Type | Deadline | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre of Excellence for Sustainability & Climate Action at C-CAMP | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| C-CAMP Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) CoE Non-Dilutive Funding Program | Grant/Incubation | Rolling | Up to ₹1 crore |
| Vision 2 Venture Incubation Program – IC IIT Patna | Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy | Grant | Rolling | Up to ₹10 lakh |
| MAP-Health | Incubation | Rolling | Varies |
| D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge | Competition | 31 Oct 2026 | Up to ₹25 lakh |
| Scheme for Goa Rajya Vidnyanik Puraskar (GRVP) | Competition | Rolling | Up to ₹2 lakh |
| Innovations for Social Good and Better Bharat (ISGBB) | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
| Indian Innovation Icons 2027 | Competition | Rolling | Varies |
| The Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with Nature | Competition | 15 Sep 2026 | Up to ₹9.5 crore |
Centre of Excellence for Sustainability & Climate Action at C-CAMP (C-CAMP)
The Centre of Excellence for Sustainability & Climate Action at C-CAMP operates under C-CAMP’s Bio for Climate Initiative, in collaboration with Ashraya Hastha Trust (AHT). This CoE functions as an integrated platform to identify, nurture, fund, mentor, deploy, and scale bio-based climate solutions. It addresses climate change at the intersection of environment, healthcare, and agriculture.
This program leverages deep biological sciences to address the root causes of climate change and mitigate its impacts on societal well-being. Focus areas include reducing greenhouse gas emissions through biotechnology, enabling climate-resilient healthcare systems, and promoting climate-resilient agriculture. The program offers varying amounts of support through its grant/incubation model.
C-CAMP Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) CoE Non-Dilutive Funding Program (C-CAMP)
C-CAMP and the Wadhwani Foundation collaborate on the C-CAMP Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) CoE Non-Dilutive Funding Program, an initiative to accelerate translation and commercialization of biotechnology and bioengineering innovations. It supports Indian startups and academic innovators developing deep-tech, science-led solutions with commercialization potential.
This program offers grant funding up to INR 1 crore per selected awardee. The funding aims to advance technologies beyond TRL 4, supporting pilot and validation studies, prototype refinement, scaling innovations, and generating data for market entry or subsequent funding rounds.
Vision 2 Venture Incubation Program – IC IIT Patna (IC IIT Patna)
The Vision 2 Venture Incubation Program – IC IIT Patna is the Incubation Centre at IIT Patna's flagship program. It guides innovative ideas from concept to market-ready startup. IC IIT Patna provides startups with access to technical infrastructure, including prototyping labs, bioscience labs, and semiconductor fabrication facilities.
The program targets technology-driven startups in sectors such as MedTech, life sciences, and biotechnology, alongside others. Startups with scalable ideas in adjacent technology domains are also encouraged to apply. Funding amounts vary based on project requirements.
Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy (KBITS)
Administered by the Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS), the Patent Reimbursement Incentives: Karnataka Startup Policy supports incubated startups registered with the Karnataka Startup Cell. This policy aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with securing intellectual property rights.
Startups can receive up to ₹10 lakh in reimbursement for patent-related expenses. The incentive promotes innovation and helps technology-driven ventures in Karnataka protect their intellectual property and maintain market competitiveness.
MAP-Health (Villgro)
Villgro's MAP-Health (Market Access Partnerships) program accelerates market entry and expansion for social enterprises in the Indian healthcare sector. Villgro supports impactful social enterprises, offering a platform for scaling solutions addressing societal needs.
MAP-Health uses Villgro's experience in impact investing and social entrepreneurship to foster market-ready innovations. Villgro is India's oldest and largest social enterprise incubator, supporting early-stage enterprises. The program provides varying amounts of support.
D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge (DBT)
The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge is a government initiative under India's BioE3 policy framework, led by the Department of Biotechnology, BIRAC, and BRIC-ILS. It encourages biotechnological solutions from young students and researchers, with a theme of
