About the RDI Fund
The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund is a ₹1 lakh crore Government of India initiative, formally launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 3 November 2025, to strengthen deep-tech research, development, and innovation aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Under the aegis of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the RDI Fund aims to catalyse private sector participation by supporting Eligible Technology Entities in undertaking innovative R&D and transformative manufacturing.
For updates relating to the overall RDI Fund framework and national-level announcements, please refer to the ANRF's RDI Fund website: https://rdifund.anrf.gov.in/
BIRAC-RDI Fund
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is an implementing partner (Second-Level Fund Manager) of the RDI Fund for biotechnology and allied areas.
The BIRAC-RDI Fund supports translational projects in biotechnology and related areas that are at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, facilitates the acquisition and development of technologies of critical and strategic importance, and enables access to patient capital for long-gestation R&D, technology scale-up, and innovation-led manufacturing and deployment. This is part of India’s broader efforts to enhance national capabilities in deep technology, promote technological self-reliance, and position India as a global innovation leader.
About BIRAC
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit Section 8 public sector enterprise under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, with a mandate to strengthen India’s biotechnology innovation ecosystem. BIRAC since 2012 has played a pivotal role in supporting translational research, startup and industry-led R&D, and the development of indigenous biotech capabilities from research to scale-up and real-world impact.
Strategic Pillars
Reprogramming Biology for Extreme Performance
Foundational Bio-Platforms That Create Industries
High Value IP Generation & Standard-Setting
Innovative Indigenous Manufacturing & Supply-Chain Resilience
Proposal Evaluation and Approval Framework
Applications submitted under the BIRAC–RDI Fund are evaluated through a structured, multi-stage process involving eligibility screening, expert assessment, due diligence, and approval by designated committees, in accordance with approved RDI guidelines.
For the initial round, applications will be taken up for screening and evaluation on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.
Post-Approval Monitoring and Disbursement Mechanism
Approved projects are monitored through a structured, milestone-linked mechanism. Eligible Technology Entities submit periodic technical and financial reports to ensure alignment with approved TRL milestones, timelines, and co-funding commitments. Fund tranches are released based on committee recommendations in accordance with RDI guidelines.
