The Government of India is transitioning from a grant-based funding model to one that incorporates recoverable loans or an equity model, which will involve a cost of borrowing for applicants. The Government announced the First National Call of ₹2,000 crore Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)–RDI Fund under ₹1 lakh crore RDI initiatives to boost the biotech sector. However, the government has also decided to recover the loan instead of only granting the funds in Research & Development (R&D).

The BIRAC–RDI Fund, which is part of the national RDI initiative approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2025 and launched in November 2025 under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), anchored by the Department of Science & Technology, aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale manufacturing by supporting technologies from TRL-4 to TRL-9 through a mix of equity, convertible instruments, and long-term debt.

The national call for applications is now open. Eligible startups, SMEs and industry partners can submit proposals through the official portal at https://biracrdif.org. The deadline for Phase 1 submissions is March 31, 2026.

The launch sends a clear message that India is prepared to lead in biotechnology, combining scientific depth, entrepreneurial energy and policy backing to shape the next phase of global industrial transformation.