Startup Schemes Playbook
Part A · Startup-specific scheme

Social Innovation Programme for Products Affordable & Relevant to Social Health (SPARSH)

Department of Biotechnology (DBT) / BIRAC

Grant IdeationPrototype / PoC Biotech, Health & PharmaSocial Impact

The SPARSH programme supports innovators in developing affordable health-related solutions so that essential healthcare products can reach and benefit underserved communities.

Type of support
Grant
Best suited for
Ideation to Validation
Headline amount
Grant up to ₹50 lakh
How much
Up to ₹50 lakh, subject to call guidelines
Source
Playbook p. 47

Objectives

SPARSH, the social innovation initiative designed biotechnological interventions to address critical societal issues. SPARSH revolves around nurturing "Social Innovators" within the biotech domain, equipped to identify community needs and gaps, and formulate innovative product developments or services to bridge these disparities.

Who can apply?

  • There are two components under the initiative – (i) Affordable Product Development and (ii) Social Innovation Immersion Program (SIIP). Startups and entrepreneurs are eligible for Category A under Component I. Specific eligibility criteria include the following:
  • Biotechnology Indian startups (less than 3 years old)
  • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) – less than 3 years old
  • Indian academic scientists, researchers etc.

What do you get?

  • Grant-in-aid assistance up to ₹50 lakh for a period of up to 18 months.

How to apply

The call for Letter of Intent (LoI) is announced twice a year on a thematic area with high societal impact The LoI is to be submitted online on the BIRAC website: https://www.birac.nic.in/

Go to official portal