The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has invited proposals for pilot projects focused on green hydrogen production using biomass-based and innovative technologies. The call for proposals is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in January 2023. The mission aims to promote alternative and non-conventional green hydrogen production pathways and position India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilization, and export.
The proposals will be accepted through BIRAC’s online portal from December 26, 2025, to January 27, 2026. The selected projects will receive funding of up to INR 25 crore per project, with a total outlay of INR 100 crore. The funding will be limited to equipment and retrofitting costs directly related to green hydrogen production. Private sector entities can receive funding of up to 80% of eligible equipment costs, while government organizations can avail up to 100% support.
The proposals should focus on pilot-scale and demonstration projects using biomass, wastewater, floating solar, and other innovative routes for green hydrogen production. The technologies should have achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or 6, indicating validation at the laboratory scale. The selected projects will be required to establish pilot plants, arrange land, and commission facilities within 12 months, followed by six months of operational demonstration.
The evaluation criteria for the proposals include the level of innovation, technical feasibility, scalability, commercial deployment potential, project cost, hydrogen production capacity, and availability of offtakers. The proposals will be evaluated through a multi-stage process, including administrative screening, technical assessment, and presentation before a Project Appraisal Committee.
The selected pilot projects are expected to generate critical insights on technical feasibility, safety, scalability, and commercial viability, helping shape future policy and support large-scale deployment of alternative green hydrogen pathways in India. The projects with identified offtakers and defined hydrogen utilization plans will be given preference, and revenue generated from hydrogen produced during the pilot phase may be retained by the executing agency.
The call for proposals is open to Indian companies, startups, academic institutions, NGOs, trusts, societies, and joint ventures, subject to ownership and compliance norms. The executing agencies will be required to submit a bank guarantee equivalent to 20% of the sanctioned grant, and funds will be released on a milestone-linked basis. Delays or non-compliance may attract financial penalties, including project cancellation and recovery of funds with interest.