BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call

The Grand Challenges India (GCI) Open Call, administered by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, seeks to cultivate innovative, India-centric solutions for infectious diseases. This initiative specifically targets advancements in screening and diagnostics for crucial areas such as tuberculosis, emerging pathogens, syndromic panels, and enteric pathogens.

A key objective is to foster the creation of accessible, ultra-low-cost, and near point-of-care technologies. The program features two distinct funding levels:

• The Exploratory tier offers up to ₹50 lakh for projects spanning up to 12 months, designed for early-stage, high-risk proposals.
• The Solution / Innovation / Product / Technology tier provides up to ₹2 crore over 18 months for projects closer to product development and market deployment.

Eligible applicants include Indian academic and research institutions, public and private R&D organizations, startups incorporated in India, and not-for-profit foundations. Multidisciplinary collaborations, especially those involving academic, clinical, and industry partners, are strongly encouraged.

Beyond financial support, awardees also receive technical guidance from BIRAC/GCI experts and support for scaling and deployment pathways. Applications must be submitted exclusively via the BIRAC online portal, which requires prior registration. The call was announced on May 12, 2026, with a final submission deadline of July 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM IST.

• Grants up to ₹2 crore for product development (18 months).
• Exploratory grants of ₹50 lakh for early-stage, high-risk ideas (12 months).
• Focus on diagnostics for TB, emerging pathogens, syndromic panels, and enteric diseases.
• Non-dilutive funding; BIRAC does not take equity.
• Open to Indian academic institutions, R&D organizations, startups, and non-profits.
• Application deadline: July 1, 2026.

This program welcomes applications from Indian academic and research institutions, public and private R&D organizations, startups incorporated in India, and not-for-profit foundations. Applicants must focus on developing screening and diagnostic innovations for tuberculosis, emerging pathogens, syndromic panels, or enteric pathogens. Solutions should ideally be ultra-low-cost and suitable for near point-of-care use. Proposals with high-risk, high-reward potential are encouraged, and multidisciplinary collaborations involving academic, clinical, and industry partners are highly valued.

Awardees receive a direct, non-dilutive cash grant, meaning BIRAC does not acquire equity in the recipient organization. Funding is structured into two tiers:

• The Exploratory tier grants up to ₹50 lakh for projects with a maximum duration of 12 months.
• The Solution / Innovation / Product / Technology tier offers up to ₹2 crore for initiatives that can extend up to 18 months.

In addition to financial aid, recipients benefit from expert technical guidance and mentorship provided by BIRAC and Grand Challenges India. They also receive assistance with strategies for scaling up and deploying their innovations. Funds are typically disbursed in tranches, contingent upon the successful achievement of agreed-upon project milestones.

Proposals are rigorously evaluated by expert panels and scientific committees assembled by BIRAC and Grand Challenges India. Key evaluation criteria typically encompass the scientific merit, innovative quality, and practical feasibility of the proposed project. The potential public health impact, particularly concerning the accessibility and affordability of the screening and diagnostic solutions, is also a significant factor.

The capabilities of the applicant team and the strength of any multidisciplinary or consortium partnerships are thoroughly assessed. Successful applicants will enter into a funding agreement with BIRAC. Funds will be released in accordance with project milestones over a 12-month period for Exploratory projects or an 18-month period for Solution / Product tier projects.