BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call
BIRAC GCI grants up to ₹2 crore for breakthrough screening & diagnostics innovations in TB, emerging pathogens and enteric disease.
- Funding amount
- ₹2Cr (grant)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- BIRAC (Government)
- Application deadline
- Closed (1 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Idea · Product
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The BIRAC Grand Challenges India (GCI) Screening and Diagnosis Innovations Open Call is designed to accelerate indigenous, high-risk, high-reward solutions for four critical infectious disease areas: tuberculosis, emerging pathogens, syndromic panels, and enteric pathogens. Managed by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council under the Department of Biotechnology, the programme especially seeks near point-of-care and ultra-low-cost innovations to improve diagnostic accessibility in India.
The programme has two funding tracks. The Exploratory track offers up to ₹50 lakh over 12 months for early-stage, high-risk proposals. The Solution / Innovation / Product / Technology track offers up to ₹2 crore over 18 months for projects closer to product development and deployment.
Eligible entities include Indian academic and research institutions, public and private R&D organisations, start-ups, and not-for-profit foundations. Multidisciplinary collaborations involving academic, clinical, and industry partners are strongly supported. Monetary support is supplemented by technical mentoring, scale-up assistance, and deployment pathways through Grand Challenges India.
Applications must be submitted via the BIRAC online portal by 1 July 2026, 2:00 PM IST. No DPIIT registration or MSME certification is required.
Highlights
- Up to ₹2 crore grants targeted at product-stage diagnostic solutions
- Completely equity-free, non-dilutive funding from BIRAC
- Focused on affordable, near point-of-care diagnostics for TB, emerging pathogens, syndromic panels, and enteric diseases
- Open to both independent applicants and multidisciplinary teams including academia, clinics, and industry
- Exploratory track starts at ₹50 lakh for early-stage ideas
Who can apply
Indian academic and research institutions, public and private R&D organisations, start-ups incorporated in India, and not-for-profit foundations are all eligible. Multidisciplinary consortia that include academic, clinical, and industry partners are especially encouraged. Proposals must target screening or diagnostics for tuberculosis, emerging pathogens, syndromic panels, or enteric pathogens. Innovations should ideally be near point-of-care and ultra-low-cost with a high-risk, high-reward profile. Prior DPIIT registration or MSME certification is not required.
BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call is open to startups at the idea, product and revenue stage working in health pharma biotech. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India. Applicants should be registered as private limited, llp and partnership.
- Eligible stage
- Idea · Product
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
- Entity type
- Private Limited, Llp, Partnership, Section 8, Society, Academic
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call closed on 1 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The programme provides equity-free grants in two tiers:
- Exploratory Tier: Up to ₹50 lakh over 12 months for early-stage proposals.
- Solution / Innovation / Product / Technology Tier: Up to ₹2 crore over 18 months for advancing products towards deployment.
Recipients also receive technical handholding from BIRAC, mentorship, and access to scale-up and deployment pathways via Grand Challenges India. Funds are disbursed in milestones linked to project progress.
About the provider
Latest news
Recent updates from BIRAC and this programme.
How to apply
- 1BIRAC Portal Registration
- 2Proposal Submission
- 3Expert / Scientific Committee Review
- 4Selection & Funding Agreement
- 5Milestone-based Disbursement
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Proposals are evaluated by expert panels and scientific committees convened by BIRAC and Grand Challenges India. Assessment criteria include scientific merit, innovation quality, feasibility, potential public-health impact (especially accessibility and affordability), team capability, and the strength of consortia partnerships. Selected applicants sign a funding agreement with BIRAC, after which funds are released milestone-wise over 12 or 18 months depending on the tier.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call, keep these documents ready — note the program-specific requirements at the top:
- Certificate of incorporation showing your startup is registered as private limited and llp
- 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
BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call is best suited for idea, product and revenue-stage health pharma biotech startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹2Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for this BIRAC GCI Call?
Indian academic and research institutions, public and private R&D organisations, start-ups, and not-for-profit foundations can apply. Multidisciplinary teams involving academia, health centres, and industry are strongly encouraged but consortia are not mandatory.
How much grant money is available?
The Exploratory tier provides up to ₹50 lakh for a 12-month project. The Solution / Innovation / Product / Technology tier provides up to ₹2 crore for an 18-month project.
Is the funding equity or debt based?
The funding is an equity-free grant. BIRAC does not take any ownership stake in your venture or intellectual property.
What infectious disease areas qualify for this call?
Your proposal must address screening or diagnostics for one or more of these four areas: tuberculosis, emerging pathogens, syndromic panels, and enteric pathogens. Innovations that are near point-of-care and ultra-low-cost are especially wanted.
Is DPIIT registration necessary?
No, DPIIT startup recognition is not required. MSME certification is also not needed.
Do I need a partner or co-founder to apply?
You may apply individually. However, collaborations that combine academia, clinical practice, and industry are considered beneficial during evaluation.
What is the deadline to submit a proposal?
Applications must be submitted by 1 July 2026 at 2:00 PM IST.
How do I submit my application?
First, register at the BIRAC online portal at birac.nic.in. Then get the full RFP from that same site, read the guidelines, and upload your proposal (including the budget and milestone plan) in the correct format under the relevant tier.
What key criteria will be used to judge proposals?
Scientific merit, innovation level, feasibility, potential public-health impact—especially regarding accessibility and affordability—team strength, and any collaborations are all taken into account.
Can NGOs or section-8 companies apply?
Yes, not-for-profit foundations and section-8 companies are explicitly eligible.
Who offers BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call?
BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call is offered by BIRAC, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
How do I apply for BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call?
Applications go through 5 stages, starting with BIRAC Portal Registration. Apply through the official application link on this page.
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