Applications for the government's D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 innovation challenge close on 31 October 2026 — the final submission round of a year-long programme run by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) with BIRAC and BRIC on the theme of empowering youth to solve critical issues.
The challenge offers a two-step funding ladder. Round 1 awards a ₹1 lakh cash grant to the top 10 concept proposals each month, and qualifying winners can then seek an R&D grant of up to ₹25 lakh to build and validate their ideas.
Eligibility is deliberately broad: open to Indian citizens — individuals, teams of up to five, researchers, and startup founders. Monthly concept windows have been running since November 2025, and the October 2026 round is the last chance to enter.
For biotech and deeptech founders, this is one of the cleanest non-dilutive funding paths available: a government-backed challenge with monthly ₹1-lakh concept grants feeding into ₹25-lakh R&D cheques, evaluated by the DBT–BIRAC apparatus rather than a VC's return clock.
Apply before the 31 October 2026 deadline — when in doubt, a concept proposal costs you nothing and buys a shot at ₹25 lakh of R&D capital.
Why it matters for founders
The DBT–BIRAC D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 challenge closes 31 October 2026: ₹1 lakh monthly concept grants with a path to ₹25 lakh in R&D funding for biotech ideas. Open to individuals, teams, researchers and founders. Non-dilutive government money at the idea stage is rare — this is one of the best open doors in deeptech right now.