Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) is a central sector scheme that supports research, biotech startups, and high-performance biomanufacturing across India. It gives seed funding, extramural research grants, incubation support, and money for shared infrastructure like Bio-Artificial Intelligence hubs, biofoundries, and biomanufacturing hubs.
Union Cabinet approved Bio-RIDE on 18 September 2024 by merging two earlier schemes of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), namely Biotechnology Research and Development and Industrial and Entrepreneurship Development, and added a new Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry component. DBT runs Bio-RIDE along with its public sector unit, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) - Introduction
Bio-RIDE works toward making India a global leader in biomanufacturing and biotechnology. It aims to speed up research, improve product development, and reduce the gap between academic research and industry use. The scheme supports work in healthcare, agriculture, environment, and clean energy.
India's bioeconomy has grown from about USD 10 billion in 2014 to over USD 195 billion in 2025. Bioeconomy now makes up nearly 5 percent of India's GDP, and more than 11,800 biotech startups are part of this growth. DBT wants to take this figure to USD 300 billion by 2030.
Bio-RIDE has three broad parts. First is Biotechnology Research and Development. Second is Industrial and Entrepreneurship Development. Third is Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry. This third part is new and supports green biomanufacturing in line with the BioE3 policy and the Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) mission.
Applicants must be a legally registered entity in India with past experience in bio-services or high-performance biomanufacturing. DBT and BIRAC implement the scheme, and proposals come through regular national calls on their official portals.
Bio-RIDE Scheme Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) |
| Approved On | 18 September 2024 |
| Level | Central |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Nodal Department | Department of Biotechnology (DBT) |
| Implementing Body | DBT and BIRAC |
| Total Outlay | ₹9,197 crore (2021-22 to 2025-26) |
| Components | Biotechnology R&D, Industrial and Entrepreneurship Development, Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry |
| Eligible People | Startups, industries, researchers, universities, incubators, NGOs |
| Application Mode | Online through DBT and BIRAC portals |
Benefits
Bio-RIDE gives different kinds of money help based on the applicant type and project. Main benefits are listed below.
- Total proposed outlay of ₹9,197 crore for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
- Startups get seed funding, incubation support, and mentorship.
- Researchers and universities get extramural funding for research in modern biology.
- Up to ₹50 crore for setting up Bio-Artificial Intelligence Hubs.
- Up to ₹65 crore for setting up Biofoundries.
- Up to ₹75 crore for setting up Biomanufacturing Hubs.
- Coordinating hubs can propose up to ₹50 lakh per year for operational costs.
- Startups and industries seeking funding beyond ₹50 lakh get support through co-funding combined with royalty sharing or equity.
- Private universities and NGOs get capital support but must share 25 percent of the total capital investment.
- Incubators set up by Central Government or private universities need 30 percent co-funding, while State Government incubators need 50 percent co-funding.
BIRAC also runs linked startup programs under Bio-RIDE. Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG) gives up to ₹50 lakh for 18 months to startups for proof of concept and has supported over 1,000 startups. E-YUVA centres support student and young researcher innovation. SEED Fund gives up to ₹30 lakh per startup, and LEAP Fund gives up to ₹100 lakh for scale-up. SPARSH gives a monthly fellowship of ₹60,000 and a kick-start grant of ₹10 lakh.
Startups and industries must put in at least 30 percent of the project cost in cash, not counting land and construction. Joint industry-academia projects need the industry partner to share at least 30 percent of the relevant cost.
Royalty-sharing beneficiaries pay 5 percent royalty on net sales until the total amount paid out is recovered. Equity financing means the government takes a stake through convertible notes at agreed valuation terms. Applicants must also prepare a long-term business plan for operations after support ends.
Project foreclosure requires full refund of paid amounts within 30 days. Termination for non-compliance requires full refund plus 12 percent interest within 30 days.
Eligibility
To apply for Bio-RIDE, the applicant must be a for-profit or not-for-profit legal entity registered in India. The entity must have verified experience in bio-services or biomanufacturing, and must not be blacklisted by any Central or State Government or public sector undertaking.
The entity and its main promoters must not be involved in major litigation that affects project delivery. Applicants must follow all data protection and conflict of interest policies. For-profit startups and industries must make sure at least 51 percent of the stake is owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.
Entities with proven expertise, past operations, existing infrastructure, and required regulatory clearances get priority during selection.
Application Process
Bio-RIDE does not have one always-open form. Proposals are invited through regular national calls on DBT and BIRAC portals. DBT research proposals are submitted through the eProMIS portal.
STEP 1 - Watch the official BIRAC website and DBT portals for periodic national calls for proposals.
STEP 2 - Submit an Expression of Interest if the specific call asks for it.
STEP 3 - Draft and submit the full project proposal online before the deadline, including technical milestones and funding needs.
STEP 4 - A Preliminary Screening Committee checks proposals for eligibility compliance.
STEP 5 - Shortlisted applicants present their proposal to the Selection Committee for Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs.
STEP 6 - A Financial Evaluation Committee decides the funding model, which can be co-funding, equity, or royalty, based on the entity type.
STEP 7 - The Apex Committee gives final selection confirmation, and grant agreements are signed.
STEP 8 - The Project Monitoring Committee watches performance and runs third-party reviews.
Documents
Below are the main documents an applicant may need at the application or post-selection stage.
- Entity Registration Certificate.
- Taxation Registration Document.
- Proof of past experience in bio-services or biomanufacturing.
- Self-declaration of not being blacklisted.
- Shareholding pattern document for startups, small and medium enterprises, and industries.
- Detailed project proposal.
- Long-term business plan.
- Expression of Interest, if the call asks for it.
- Relevant regulatory clearances at the post-selection stage.
- Grant agreement document at the post-selection stage.
References
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Official Website
- BIRAC Official Website
- Cabinet Approval Press Release (18.09.2024)
- Parliament Question - Bio-RIDE Scheme (25.03.2026)
- Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry Implementation Plan (PDF)
FAQ's
Is an organization blacklisted by a public sector undertaking eligible to apply?
No. Any entity blacklisted by any Government of India public sector undertaking is strictly not eligible.
Is the 51 percent Indian stake requirement mandatory for startups?
Yes. Startups and industries must make sure at least 51 percent of their stake is owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.
Can a company without past biological experience apply for a grant?
No. Applicants must have real past experience and working knowledge in the applied area.
Can informal research groups apply for funding?
No. Only legally registered entities in India are eligible.
Are there data privacy rules for applicants?
Yes. Applicants must follow all data protection, confidentiality, and conflict of interest policies set by DBT and BIRAC.
Can not-for-profit NGOs apply for money help?
Yes. Both for-profit and not-for-profit legal entities are eligible if they meet the technical and financial criteria.
Must tax registration be done before applying?
Yes. The entity must be officially registered with relevant tax and administrative authorities at the time of submission.
Does involvement in a major legal dispute about fraud affect eligibility?
Yes. Major litigation involving the entity or its promoters that could affect project delivery will lead to disqualification.
How does pending regulatory clearance affect evaluation?
Proposals with existing regulatory clearances get priority, but those still in process can also apply.
Is a long-term plan required after support ends?
Yes. All beneficiaries must submit and follow a plan to keep operations going after government funding ends.
What is the co-funding requirement for projects over ₹50 lakh?
Startups, small and medium enterprises, and industries must put in at least 30 percent of project cost as cash, not counting land and construction.