The BIRAC–Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) Fund is a flagship Government of India initiative to support high-impact, deep-tech biotechnology and allied innovations through large co-investment funding. It is designed for serious, technology-intensive projects that go beyond prototypes and are ready for scale-up, commercialization, and indigenous manufacturing.

This opportunity is mainly for Indian startups, SMEs, and industry players working on advanced biotech and related deep-tech solutions with strong commercial and national impact potential. With the national RDI Scheme targeting ₹1 lakh crore for private sector-led research, this fund is especially important now for ventures aiming to grow into global leaders from India.

StartupMandi helps founders, startups, and businesses discover such complex funding opportunities and apply professionally. The dedicated BIRAC–RDI Fund listing on StartupMandi gives a clear snapshot, whileStartupMandi experts assist with strategy, documentation, and proposal drafting to match BIRAC’s expectations.​

Quick Grant Snapshot

1. Grant Name / Scheme Name: BIRAC–RDI Fund (Research, Development & Innovation Fund)
2. Grant Provider / Organisation: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), as Second-Level Fund Manager under the national RDI Fund
3. Sector / Focus Area: Biotechnology and related deep-tech sectors (healthcare/biopharma, agri & food, environment & climate, industrial and synthetic biology, bioenergy, circular bioeconomy, AI/ML in biotech, and other national-priority bio-areas)
4. Geography / Eligible Location: India-wide; for Eligible Technology Entities based in India
5. Funding Type: Co-investment funding (patient capital); not a small grant but large co-funding alongside private investors or industry
6. Maximum Funding / Benefit: Approx. ₹5 crore to ₹200 crore per project (co-investment range mentioned across program material)
7. Application Mode: Online submission via the official BIRAC–RDI / ANRF RDI Fund portal (exact URL to be checked on official sites; do not rely on third-party links)
8. Application Start Date: First national call announced; national-level applications already invited (live call)
9. Application Deadline: For the first national call, some sources mention 31 March 2026; treat this as indicative and always re-check the latest official call notification.​
10. Result / Selection Announcement Timeline: Not precisely specified; typically after multi-stage evaluation and due diligence.

About the Grant Provider

The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit public sector enterprise set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. It works to strengthen and empower the biotech innovation ecosystem by funding startups, SMEs, and industry-led R&D, and is recognized as a credible and experienced funder of biotech ventures across India.

Under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund framework, the Government of India has approved BIRAC as one of the first Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs) specifically for biotechnology and allied domains. This means BIRAC is responsible for designing calls, evaluating proposals, and deploying large co-investment funding into transformational biotech projects in line with the RDI Scheme’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

About the Scheme / Grant Program

The BIRAC–RDI Fund focuses on deep-tech innovations that are beyond early proof-of-concept and are already at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above. Its purpose is to catalyse high-impact R&D and transformative indigenous manufacturing in biotechnology, bridging the critical gap between lab-level success and industrial-scale deployment.

The fund supports projects that:

• Are based on advanced science and engineering with high uncertainty around functionality, production, adoption, and standards.
• Target national priorities such as healthcare and biopharma, agriculture and food systems, environment and climate, industrial/synthetic biology, bioenergy, circular bioeconomy, and AI/ML-enabled bio-solutions.
• Offer “delta-change” rather than incremental improvements, often through foundational platforms capable of spawning multiple IP families or product lines.

The scheme is part of the larger ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund launched by the Government of India to drive private sector-led R&D and innovation, under the aegis of DST and ANRF, with BIRAC focusing on the biotech segment.

Who Can Apply & Target Group

Based on official descriptions of the RDI Fund and BIRAC–RDI communication, the primary target group includes:

• Type of entities
  • Startups and SMEs in biotech and deep-tech domains.
  • Larger industries and corporate entities engaged in advanced biotech/biomanufacturing.
  • Other “Eligible Technology Entities” as defined by the RDI Fund framework (e.g., potentially consortia or industry-led collaborations).
• Stage
  • Projects at TRL 4 and above (validated proof-of-concept) moving towards pilot, scale-up, and commercialization.
  • Not for very early, basic research or idea-stage concepts.
• Sector focus
  • Biotech and related fields such as health & biopharma, vaccines, diagnostics, agriculture biotech, food and nutrition, environmental biotech, industrial biotech, synthetic biology, bioenergy, circular bioeconomy, and AI/ML-based biotech solutions.
• Geography
  • India-wide; entities must be based in India and aligned with national priorities.
• Special focus groups
  • Emphasis on high-impact, ROI-intensive, and strategically important technologies rather than specific social categories (women/SC/ST etc. are not explicitly singled out in current official descriptions).

Detailed Eligibility Criteria

Official information across RDI Fund and BIRAC–RDI sources highlights the following broad eligibility elements:

• Legal structure & registration
  • Applicants should be legally registered entities in India (such as companies or eligible industry-led units), but exact legal forms and detailed criteria are governed by the formal RDI Fund guidelines.
  • Specific wording such as “Eligible Technology Entities” is used; the detailed definition is in the scheme framework, which should be checked on the official portal.
• Technology readiness & project maturity
  • Projects must be at TRL 4 or higher, meaning there is validated proof-of-concept and readiness for further development, scaling, or manufacturing.
• Turnover / financial limits
  • Exact turnover or revenue thresholds are not clearly specified in the publicly-available high-level descriptions; applicants should refer to detailed call guidelines for any financial qualification thresholds.
• Compliance requirements
  • Standard compliance such as PAN, GST, corporate compliance, and any sector approvals is generally expected for large co-investment funding, but not explicitly spelled out in the high-level scheme pages.
• Prior funding conditions
  • The fund is explicitly co-investment based and aims to “crowd in” additional capital, so prior or parallel investors are likely to be involved; however, detailed rules about existing funding, debt, or equity structure are not clearly specified in the public overview.

Where the StartupMandi listing and third-party pages provide more operational interpretation (e.g., more detailed “who can apply” bullets), you should always cross-check against the latest official BIRAC–RDI call or RDI Fund portal and treat anything not confirmed there as indicative, not definitive.

Funding Support & Benefits

The BIRAC–RDI Fund is not a small seed grant; it provides large co-investment capital, typically in the range of ₹5 crore to ₹200 crore per project, depending on the nature and scale of the proposal. This capital is structured to be patient and risk-sharing, designed to support high-risk, high-reward deep-tech innovation and indigenous manufacturing capacity.

Key funding features and benefits include:

• Nature of funding
  • Co-investment funding model, often up to around 50% of the total project cost in many cases, with the rest coming from private or institutional co-investors; details vary by call and sub-scheme.
  • The exact financial instruments (grant, equity, debt, or blended) and terms are governed by detailed guidelines of each call and may combine grant-like support with other forms of capital; this is not fully specified in the high-level summary and must be checked in the official call document.
• What expenses are covered
  • R&D and technology development beyond TRL 4 (scale-up of processes, validation, regulatory studies, etc.).
  • Establishment or expansion of indigenous manufacturing for biotech: advanced bioprocessing systems, reagents, viral vectors, complex media, high-value instruments, and similar infrastructure.​
  • Commercialisation-oriented activities such as demonstration plants, pilot plants, integrated manufacturing lines, and supply-chain strengthening (subject to scheme guidelines).
• Non-monetary benefits
  • While the RDI Fund is primarily financial, association with BIRAC brings additional ecosystem visibility, possible access to networks, credibility with other investors, and alignment with national strategic programs.
  • Some calls may partner with knowledge institutions, but explicit incubation or mentorship structures are not highlighted at the same level as, say, typical startup accelerators.

Documents Required While Applying

The high-level BIRAC–RDI and RDI Fund pages do not list a detailed document checklist. However, based on typical BIRAC calls and large co-investment R&D funding, you should expect at least the following:

Documents likely specified in official calls (check exact call notice):

• Detailed project proposal (technical narrative, objectives, methodology, work plan, timelines).
• Technology status and TRL justification, including current proof-of-concept data.
• Budget and cost-breakup, including co-investor commitments or funding plan.
• Company incorporation/registration certificate.
• Shareholding/cap table and promoter details.​
• Previous funding or grants received from government or investors, if any.​

Typically required supporting documents (common for such schemes):

• PAN, GST and relevant statutory registrations.
• Audited financial statements for recent years (for SMEs/companies).
• CVs of key team members and technical experts.
• IP status details (patents filed/granted, FTO analysis if applicable).
• Letters of intent/support from partners or customers (if required).

Since this is a high-value co-investment fund, it is advisable to keep all company compliance records, technical dossiers, and financial documentation updated and ready before starting the online form.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Because the RDI Fund is being implemented through designated portals, the exact URL and workflow may change between calls, so always follow instructions in the latest official announcement. A typical process will look like this:

1. Check the latest call notification
   • Visit the official RDI Fund and BIRAC–RDI websites (for example, the RDI Fund portal “[official RDI Fund portal]” and BIRAC–RDI website “[official BIRAC–RDI portal]”) and find the current call for proposals under the biotech RDI scheme.
   • Carefully read the call guidelines, eligibility, and funding model before proceeding.
2. Register on the portal
   • Create an organisation and applicant profile on the relevant online portal if you are a new user.
   • Provide basic details such as entity name, legal status, registration numbers, contact details, and authorised signatory information.
3. Prepare proposal and documentation
   • Draft a detailed technical and commercial proposal aligned with the template given in the call document (sections usually include problem statement, innovation, TRL status, workplan, milestones, risk analysis, team, market, regulatory aspects, and impact).
   • Prepare financials: project cost, phase-wise budget, co-investor details and justification for requested RDI support.
   • Convert all required documents (proposal, financials, certificates, CVs) into the specified formats (typically PDF) before starting the online form.
4. Fill online application form
   • Log into the portal and start the application under the appropriate call.
   • Enter all requested fields carefully entity details, project summary, domain, TRL, team, budget, and co-investment structure.
   • Ensure data in the form exactly matches the figures and information given in the attached proposal and financial documents.
5. Upload documents and submit
   • Upload the technical proposal, financial documents, registrations, and any mandated annexures in the required size and format.
   • Review the entire form, run internal checks with your team, and then submit the proposal online. You should receive an acknowledgment/reference number on successful submission.
6. Fees (if any)
   • As of now, high-level descriptions do not clearly mention any application processing fee; for most government R&D calls, there is usually no application fee, but you must verify this in the specific call document.
7. Follow-up and evaluation
   • Shortlisted applications undergo technical and financial evaluation, and may involve presentations or clarifications.
   • Be prepared with detailed data, updated projections, and readiness to answer questions around risk, regulation, and scale-up.

Practical tip: For a program of this scale, it is wise to prepare your project proposal, financial model, and timeline well in advance and run internal reviews or work with experts like StartupMandi before the portal formally opens or before you start filling the form.

Important Dates & Timeline

The RDI Fund and BIRAC–RDI framework are designed as ongoing multi-year initiatives, but each funding round has its own call dates. As of current public information:

• Application start date: National-level applications for the BIRAC–RDI Fund have been announced and calls are open.
• Application deadline: Some media coverage mentions 31 March 2026 as the deadline for the first phase; however, applicants must verify the exact deadline in the current official call notification or portal, as dates may be revised.​
• Evaluation period: Not specified in days, but official communications mention multi-stage evaluation and deployment “early” after calls, indicating a structured but time-bound selection process.
• Result / selection date: Not clearly specified; outcomes will typically be communicated after technical, financial, and due diligence reviews and any required approvals.

Because this is a flagship, high-value program, you should regularly monitor the official RDI Fund portal, BIRAC website, and DBT/PIB press releases for date updates or new calls.

Key Things to Keep in Mind While Applying

• Clearly demonstrate TRL 4+ status with evidence—data, experiments, validation, or pilot results; vague claims will weaken your application.
• Emphasise the delta-change impact (not just incremental improvement) and how the project will deliver significant national and commercial outcomes.
• Show a credible co-investment plan and financial structure; this is a co-investment program, so private commitment matters.
• Align your proposal with national priorities and the RDI Scheme’s vision (Viksit Bharat 2047, strategic technologies, import substitution, resilience).
• Ensure all documents technical, financial, legal are consistent and up to date; discrepancies between the form and attachments can lead to rejection.
• Start early rather than close to the deadline so you have time for internal review, clarifications, and technical troubleshooting on the portal.

How StartupMandi Can Help You

The BIRAC–RDI Fund is a powerful but complex opportunity: very high ticket sizes, deep-tech focus, multi-stage evaluation, and serious documentation. StartupMandi exists to make such schemes more accessible to Indian startups, SMEs, and innovators. The BIRAC–RDI Fund listing on StartupMandi distils core details in simple language so you can quickly judge relevance.​

Beyond discovery, StartupMandi Experts can help you with:

• Eligibility assessment and fitment with the RDI Fund framework and BIRAC expectations.
• Designing a clear application strategy that connects your technology, TRL, and business model to RDI objectives.
• Drafting and refining your detailed proposal, technical write-up, and financial model.
• Creating or polishing supporting documents like project decks, business plans, IP summaries, and impact narratives.
• Ensuring your online application is complete, consistent, and professionally presented before submission.

Professional support is especially valuable when applying for large co-investment funding where evaluation is rigorous and only a small percentage of proposals are likely to be selected. To apply professionally for this grant, connect with StartupMandi Experts today. Visit StartupMandi and open the listing page for this grant to get started with expert assistance.​

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The BIRAC–RDI Fund is a rare, large-scale opportunity for Indian biotech and deep-tech innovators to secure substantial co-investment for high-impact, high-risk projects at scale. If your startup or company is working at TRL 4+ with strong national and commercial relevance, this scheme can be a game-changer—provided your proposal, financials, and documentation meet its rigorous standards. With StartupMandi’s expert guidance, you can navigate the complexity with confidence and submit a professional, compelling application to the BIRAC–RDI Fund.