BioSTART Fellowship 2027 in Greece

The BioSTART Fellowship 2027 is a research commercialisation and biotechnology entrepreneurship programme organised by BioInnovation Greece.

Its purpose is to help researchers turn promising scientific discoveries into practical biotechnology innovations and potentially viable businesses.

The fellowship addresses an important challenge in life-science innovation: moving from early research results to a validated product concept with a credible development and commercialisation pathway.

What Is the BioSTART Fellowship?

BioSTART supports applicants developing biotechnology and life-science ideas that could solve real-world problems.

The programme combines structured venture training, specialist mentoring, market assessment, intellectual-property guidance and proof-of-concept planning.

Participants develop a clearer understanding of what scientific evidence, resources, partnerships and funding their innovation needs before progressing towards a potential startup.

How the Fellowship Works

BioSTART operates through a staged selection process.

Initially, applicants submit their scientific or technical concept. Eligible submissions are evaluated for admission to the venture-development programme.

Admitted teams receive training and mentoring to develop their project, assess commercial potential and prepare a structured venture evidence package. After this development stage, a smaller number of teams may be selected for conditional proof-of-concept funding of up to €20,000. Funding is subject to further approvals, an eligible host institution and the required contractual arrangements.

International Participation

The programme does not impose a general nationality or residence restriction.

However, each proposal must identify at least one team member based in Greece and affiliated with an eligible Greek higher-education institution or public research centre. Any funded proof-of-concept work must be carried out principally in Greece. This means applicants living outside Greece may apply, provided their project satisfies the institutional and location requirements.

Research and Innovation Areas

BioSTART focuses on life-science research with potential applications in biotechnology.

Projects should demonstrate a scientifically credible innovation and a possible pathway towards a useful product, service or business. Applicants are assessed on both scientific potential and the practical steps needed to advance their idea.

Applicants must meet the relevant requirements established in the official 2027 call.

• Eligible applicant profiles include PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and early-career researchers.
• Clinician-scientists and interdisciplinary research teams may apply.
• University students and recent graduates may apply where their innovation is sufficiently developed.
• Founders of genuinely pre-seed or proof-of-concept ventures may apply.
• The proposal must identify at least one member based in Greece and affiliated with an eligible Greek host institution.
• The proposed host must be a Greek higher-education institution or public research centre with the required research-account and contracting capacity.
• The project and any company formed around it must not have raised external investment capital.
• One lead applicant must submit the proposal.
• Applicants must be entitled to submit the project and disclose relevant intellectual-property, institutional and funding obligations.
• Principal applicants should have received their highest academic degree within the previous seven years; more senior researchers may participate in advisory roles.
• Applications must be submitted in English.
• Funded research activities must take place principally in Greece.

Benefits for All Admitted Teams

• Biotechnology entrepreneurship training
• Venture-development training through the BioSTART–EGG partnership
• Named lead mentor
• Access to specialist support where available
• Intellectual-property and regulatory guidance
• Product and market-development support
• Financing and company-formation guidance
• Development of a venture evidence package
• Written feedback and next-step recommendations
• BioSTART community and networking access

All applicants also receive a written evaluation report, including those not selected.

Benefits for Selected Funded Teams

• Up to €20,000 in non-dilutive proof-of-concept funding per team
• Approved project expenditure administered through an eligible Greek host
• Structured project milestones and progress reviews
• Pitch preparation
• Potential investor and industry introductions
• Six-month funded proof-of-concept period

Funding Conditions

Funding is awarded only to selected teams after the venture-development stage and the required institutional approval process.

The award is paid through an eligible Greek institution or partner, rather than as a direct personal payment to an overseas participant.

BioInnovation Greece does not take equity merely for participation.

Initial Application

• Lead-applicant and team information
• Details of the Greece-based affiliated team member
• Proposed Greek host institution
• Scientific or technical concept
• Description of the problem and proposed solution
• Current development stage and available evidence
• Potential users, customers and applications
• Market context and competing approaches
• Intellectual-property information and relevant obligations
• Proposed next development activities
• Explanation of the project's relevance to BioSTART
• Short application video of up to five minutes
• Eligibility and conflict-of-interest declarations
• Required privacy information

Additional Requirements Before Funding

• Defined team roles and commitments
• Formal host-institution confirmation
• Final proof-of-concept plan
• Approved budget and milestones
• Contractual documentation

• Credible pathway to company formation — 25 points
• Founding team quality, complementarity and commitment — 20 points
• Scientific quality and risk-reduction potential — 20 points
• Intellectual-property position and defensibility — 15 points
• Unmet need and market relevance — 15 points
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed next-step plan — 5 points

• Transform scientific discoveries into practical innovations
• Explore biotechnology entrepreneurship
• Learn research commercialisation skills
• Receive mentoring from relevant specialists
• Develop stronger product and market strategies
• Improve proof-of-concept planning
• Connect with Greece's biotechnology ecosystem
• Build a pathway towards a viable research-based venture