SPARSH – Social Innovation Programme for Products Affordable & Relevant to Social Health

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

• 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.

• 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.

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

1. 01The call for Letter of Intent (LoI) is announced twice a year on a thematic area with high societal impact
2. 02The LoI is to be submitted online on the BIRAC website: https://www.birac.nic.in/

Status as stated in the playbook (June 2026):
“The call for Letter of Intent (LoI) is announced twice a year on a thematic area with high societal impact”

• Website: birac.nic.in (opens in a new tab)
• Operational Guidelines: birac.nic.in (opens in a new tab)