BFI-BIOME & IITK Bioinnovation Program - Cohort 2
IIT Kanpur’s bioinnovation program offering a fellowship (₹50K/month for 6-9 months) and a kickstarter grant (up to ₹10L) for healthcare innovators.
- Funding amount
- ₹10L (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- SIIC IIT Kanpur (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Closed (18 Jul 2025)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The BFI-BIOME & IIT Kanpur Bioinnovation Program – Cohort 2 is an initiative by SIIC IIT Kanpur designed to accelerate healthcare innovation in India. It supports individual innovators and early-stage startups working in medical devices, in-vitro diagnostics, and biopharma. The program offers two distinct funding tracks: a Fellowship that provides monthly support of up to ₹50,000 for individuals over 6-9 months, and a Kickstarter Initiative that awards grant support of up to ₹10 lakhs for biomedical startups. Beyond funding, participants gain access to IIT Kanpur’s advanced laboratories and equipment, skill-building workshops, networking opportunities, investor connections, and legal/IP support. The goal is to fast-track the development of impactful healthcare solutions from concept to commercialization.
Highlights
- Two funding tracks: Fellowship (₹50K/month for 6-9 months) and Kickstarter Grant (up to ₹10L).
- Open to Indian nationals and startups registered in India, focusing on medical devices, diagnostics, and surgical tech.
- Access to IIT Kanpur’s cutting-edge labs and equipment.
- Includes workshops, skill development, investor networking, and legal/IP support.
- Cohort 2 deadline: 2025-07-18.
- Selected participants must incubate with SIIC IIT Kanpur.
Who can apply
For Fellowship (Individual Innovators):
- Must be an Indian national.
- At least 21 years of age.
- Working in medical devices, in-vitro diagnostic devices, or surgical technology, preferably at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1-3.
- Minimum of four years of formal education in sciences or engineering after 10+2.
- Willing to work full-time during the fellowship and not draw remuneration from other sources.
- Willing to incubate with SIIC IIT Kanpur as per institutional policies.
For Kickstarter Initiative (Startups):
- Registered in India within the preceding seven years.
- Minimum 51% equity held by Indian citizens.
- Developing a product or technology in medical devices, in-vitro diagnostic devices, or surgical technology with potential for substantial societal impact on healthcare in India.
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 or higher.
- Willingness to participate in SIIC IIT Kanpur’s incubation program.
- Must present a clearly defined commercialization roadmap.
BFI-BIOME & IITK Bioinnovation Program - Cohort 2 is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for BFI-BIOME & IITK Bioinnovation Program - Cohort 2 closed on 18 Jul 2025. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
- Fellowship track: Monthly support of up to ₹50,000 for individual innovators for a period of 6-9 months.
- Kickstarter track: Grant support of up to ₹10 lakhs for biomedical startups.
- Access to IIT Kanpur’s labs and equipment for research and development.
- Workshops, skill development sessions, and networking opportunities.
- Investor connections and legal/IP support to help bring innovations to market.
About the provider
BFI-BIOME & IITK Bioinnovation Program - Cohort 2 is offered by SIIC IIT Kanpur, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by SIIC IIT Kanpur as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to BFI-BIOME & IITK Bioinnovation Program - Cohort 2, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
BFI-BIOME & IITK Bioinnovation Program - Cohort 2 is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding is offered?
Individual innovators can receive a fellowship of up to ₹50,000 per month for 6-9 months. Startups can receive a grant of up to ₹10 lakhs through the Kickstarter Initiative.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for Cohort 2 is July 18, 2025.
Who is eligible to apply for the Fellowship?
Indian nationals aged 21 or older with at least four years of formal education in sciences or engineering (after 10+2), working in medical devices, in-vitro diagnostics, or surgical technology at TRL 1-3. They must be willing to work full-time and not receive other remuneration during the fellowship, and must incubate with SIIC IIT Kanpur.
Who is eligible to apply for the Kickstarter Initiative?
Startups registered in India within the last seven years, with at least 51% equity held by Indian citizens. They must be developing a product in medical devices, diagnostics, or surgical tech at TRL 3 or higher, and present a commercialization roadmap. They must also be willing to incubate with SIIC IIT Kanpur.
Is DPIIT or MSME registration required?
The program does not explicitly require DPIIT or MSME registration based on the provided information.
Does the program take equity?
No, the program offers grants and a fellowship, which are non-dilutive. Equity is not taken.
What documents are typically needed to apply?
The specific documents are not listed, but the application is through a Google Form. You will likely need details about your innovation, team, and for startups, registration and equity information.
How do I apply?
You can apply via the Google Form link provided on the program page.
Can individuals and startups both apply?
Yes, the program has separate tracks for individuals (Fellowship) and startups (Kickstarter Initiative).
Is there any age limit for startups?
The startup must have been registered in India within the preceding seven years.
Who offers BFI-BIOME & IITK Bioinnovation Program - Cohort 2?
BFI-BIOME & IITK Bioinnovation Program - Cohort 2 is offered by SIIC IIT Kanpur, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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