The Grand Challenges India (GCI–BIRAC) announces an open call for proposals on breakthrough solutions and cost-disruptive innovations for screening and diagnosis in priority infectious disease areas.

Overview

This open call under Grand Challenges India (GCI–BIRAC) supports indigenous innovations and transformative solutions in four priority infectious disease areas – tuberculosis, emerging pathogens, syndromic panels, and enteric pathogens. The call focuses on high-risk, high-reward innovations for screening and diagnostics, with an emphasis on near point-of-care and ultra-low-cost solutions that can significantly improve accessibility and availability.

Funding and Benefits

Two funding levels are available:

• Exploratory proposal: Support up to INR 50,00,000 (USD 55,000) for up to 12 months duration.
• Solution, innovation, product or technology proposal: Support up to INR 2,00,00,000 (USD 200,000) for up to 18 months duration.

Successful applicants will receive support through funding, technical handholding, scale-up, and deployment pathways. The programme emphasises multidisciplinary partnerships and a consortia-based approach.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include Indian academic and research institutions, public and private R&D organisations, start-ups, and not-for-profit foundations. The call is open to academic, clinical, and industry-led collaborations.

Research Areas

Proposals must address one or more of the following infectious disease areas:

• Tuberculosis
• Emerging pathogens
• Syndromic panels
• Enteric pathogens

Innovations should be transformative, high-risk, high-reward, and directed toward screening and diagnostics, with an emphasis on near point-of-care and ultra-low-cost approaches.

Application Process

For request for proposal details and submission of application, applicants must log on to the BIRAC website at www.birac.nic.in. Applications must be submitted through the BIRAC online portal only.

Deadline and Timeline

• Announcement Date: 12-05-2026
• Last Submission Date: 01-07-2026 at 02:00 PM