BIRAC Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI)

The Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) is BIRAC's PPP scheme launched in 2005 to boost Public-Private Partnership efforts in Indian biotechnology. SBIRI was the first of its kind early-stage innovation-focused PPP initiative in Indian biotech. SBIRI prioritizes early-stage funding for high-risk innovative research in small and medium companies led by innovators with science backgrounds. Projects support product and process development bringing private industry, public institutions, and government together to promote research in the Indian biotech sector. Objectives: - Support early-stage, pre-proof-of-concept research in biotechnology by industry - Support new indigenous technologies particularly those related to societal needs in healthcare, food and nutrition, agriculture and other sectors - Nurture and mentor innovative emerging technologies and entrepreneurs - Assist new enterprises to forge linkages with academia and government Eligibility: - Companies incorporated under the Companies Act 2013, OR Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) incorporated under the LLP Act 2008, OR joint ventures - Minimum 51 percent shares held by Indian Citizens with Indian passport (excludes PIO and OCI holders) - Adequate in-house facility OR incubation at recognized incubator - Academic collaborators: Indian public/private universities, colleges, national research labs, not-for-profit research foundations Calls announced twice yearly: 1 April-15 May and 1 September-15 October. Cumulative impact through 31 January 2024: 53 calls announced, 337 projects supported, 429 beneficiaries, ₹576 Crores committed, 48 IP filings, 87 products/technologies commercialized, 743 jobs generated. Funding is grant-in-aid disbursed in milestone-based installments. Project sizes typically range from ₹50 Lakhs to ₹2 Crore.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.