BIRAC Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP)

BIPP Grant (Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme)

Funds Indian biotechnology partnerships with industry to pursue frontier life-science breakthroughs at early stage.

The Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP) Grant is BIRAC's largest biotech industry-partnership grant, providing up to INR 25 Crore (₹250,000,000) per project for path-breaking research in frontier futuristic technology areas on a cost-sharing public-private partnership basis. BIRAC — the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, a Government of India enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology — established BIPP to fund multi-year, high-impact R&D programmes where Indian biotech industry partners co-invest alongside government support. Eligible technology areas include next-generation diagnostics, novel therapeutics, advanced biomanufacturing, biotech platforms, agricultural biotech, synthetic biology, and other high-commercial-impact emerging fields. BIPP scheme guidelines were most recently updated 16 April 2025.

Awards range from approximately INR 2 Crore to INR 25 Crore (₹20 million to ₹250 million), with an estimated median of INR 10 Crore. The estimated annual pool is approximately INR 200 Crore (₹2 billion), reflecting BIPP's large per-grant tickets within BIRAC's annual funding envelope. Project duration is typically two to four years, with funding disbursed in milestone-based installments. The cost-sharing PPP structure requires the Indian industry partner to provide cash and in-kind co-funding throughout the project lifecycle. Significant equipment cost support is available as part of larger BIPP awards. Special provisions exist for start-ups that have not previously received BIRAC funding, making them eligible for up to an additional INR 50 Lakhs in support.

Eligible applicants are Indian-registered biotech companies as primary recipients, with universities, research institutions, and non-profits eligible as project partners. Minimum TRL at entry is 4, targeting candidates through TRL 7. BIPP is targeted at organizations with the capacity to execute multi-year industrial R&D and to provide the required co-funding. A strong application demonstrates the frontier nature of the proposed research, the strategic significance of the technology area to Indian biotech competitiveness, the adequacy of the industry partner's co-funding commitment, and a realistic milestone plan with commercial outcomes. BIPP graduates who have completed BIRAC's earlier-stage BIG or other BIRAC programs have demonstrated track records that strengthen applications.