The 'Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council' (BIRAC), recently set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to stimulate, foster and enhance the strategic research and innovation capabilities of the Indian biotech industry, has launched the Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) scheme for igniting new ideas in biotechnology.
The scheme is for potential entrepreneurs from academia, start-ups or an incubatee (researchers, PhDs, medical degree holders, biomedical engineering graduates) who have an exciting idea which may be in the nascent and planning stage and there is an unmet need for mentorship and initial funding. The scheme will help to support and nurture these high risk early starters and their concepts.
The main aim of the scheme is to establish and validate proof of concept and also to enable creation of spin-offs. The scheme is for high level of innovation in the biotechnology sector and it supports only up-to proof-of-concept stage.
Biotechnology start-ups/entrepreneurs or incubatee; students, academician and scientists (research institute/university/public, not for profit organization, private funded) with an exciting idea which may be in the nascent and planning stage are eligible for the scheme.
BIRAC will issue a national call for BIG scheme at least 2 times each year. The scheme would be implemented through partners called the BIG Partners, across the country. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bangalore; Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), New Delhi; and IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad are the current BIG Partners.
Established recently as a ‘Not-for-Profit’ Section 25 Company, BIRAC is the DBT’s inter-face agency for supporting industry-academia interaction, and will serve as a single window for the emerging biotech industry in the country.
A unique initiative of the government to promote the growth of biotechnology industry in India, the BIRAC will also help establish connectivity with professional and institutional networks and provide financial support for mid-level, quality innovation targeted at affordable solutions and product development.
BIRAC is an independent, autonomous, dynamic organization, applying unique methodologies for nurturing the high risk projects which hold potential for commercialization. BIRAC as an organisation nurturing and promoting innovation lead research would play an important role of “Connector and Catalyser”.