D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge

The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge is a national initiative spearheaded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), in collaboration with BIRAC and BRIC-ILS. It operates under India's BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy framework, aiming to foster innovative, sustainable, and scalable biotechnological solutions.

This challenge specifically targets young students and researchers across India, with the inspiring theme "Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES." The program spans 12 months, featuring rolling monthly submissions that are open for 20 days each month, running from November 2025 until October 2026.

In Round 1, the top 10 concept proposals selected each month receive a cash appreciation grant of ₹1 lakh. This means up to 120 winners will be recognized over the 12-month period. These winners also gain valuable mentorship from DBT-BIRAC, access to a network of 15 iBRIC+ institutions and 95 Bio-NEST incubators nationwide, and enhanced visibility across DBT, BIRAC, and MyGov digital platforms.

Round 2 offers a follow-on Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) grant of up to ₹25 lakhs to selected Round 1 winners. This grant is disbursed in two tranches: ₹15 lakhs initially, followed by ₹10 lakhs, contingent upon the successful completion of predetermined milestones. This phase aims to support up to 100 projects across the country.

• Grants up to ₹25 lakhs for innovative biotechnological solutions.
• Open to Indian nationals, including students, researchers, scientists, and startup founders/employees.
• Focuses on solutions in health, agriculture, and climate sectors.
• Provides mentorship from DBT-BIRAC and access to 15 iBRIC+ institutions and 95 Bio-NEST incubators.
• Rolling monthly submissions are accepted from November 2025 to October 2026.
• No entry fee required to participate in the challenge.

Applicants must be Indian nationals and possess a valid Aadhaar number. Applications can be submitted by individuals or teams, with a maximum of five members per team.

For Round 1 of the challenge, institutional affiliation is not a mandatory requirement. However, for progression to Round 2, applicants must be affiliated with an institution, a recognized bio-incubator, or a startup officially recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR).

This program actively encourages participation from a diverse range of individuals, including PhD scholars, researchers, scientists, and startup founders or employees. There is no entry fee to participate in the challenge.

Applications for D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge are open and the current deadline is 31 Oct 2026. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.

Recipients of the D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge receive substantial financial and non-financial support.

Financial benefits include a cash appreciation grant of ₹1 lakh for Round 1 winners, and a significant RDI grant of up to ₹25 lakhs for successful Round 2 projects.

Beyond funding, participants benefit from:

• Mentorship directly from DBT-BIRAC experts.
• Access to a vast network comprising 15 iBRIC+ institutions and 95 Bio-NEST incubators across India, providing crucial resources and support.
• Enhanced visibility and recognition on prominent digital platforms managed by DBT, BIRAC, and MyGov, boosting their project's profile.

D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge is offered by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge, keep these documents ready — note the program-specific requirements at the top:

• Certificate of incorporation showing your startup is registered as individual and academic
• 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.

D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge is best suited for idea and product-stage health pharma biotech, agri food rural and climate energy ev startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1L – ₹25L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.