DBT-BIRAC Bio-AI Joint Call for Proposals under BioE3 Policy Slug

• Researchers
• Scientists
• Universities
• Academic Institutions
• National Laboratories
• Startups
• Industries
• DSIR-recognised Non-Profit Organisations
• Industry-Academia Collaborations

About this scheme

The DBT-BIRAC Joint Call for Proposals on Bio-AI is a Government of India research funding programme launched under the BioE3 Policy for Biomanufacturing. The programme supports multidisciplinary research teams in establishing Bio-AI hubs that develop AI-enabled biotechnology solutions in health, agriculture and environmental applications. Projects selected under the programme may receive grants of up to ₹25 crore based on merit and project requirements.

The programme supports collaborative research in Biomolecular Design, Sustainable Agriculture, Synthetic Biology, Ayurveda and Genome Diagnostics. Applications may be submitted independently by eligible academic institutions or industries, or jointly as collaborative projects involving academia and industry. Projects are expected to follow a hub-and-spoke model and be completed within two years.

Who can apply

• Researchers or scientists working in Government organisations
• Universities
• Academic Institutions
• National Laboratories
• DSIR-recognised Non-Profit Organisations
• Startups
• Industries
• Academic institutions recognised as SIRO
• Industry-academia collaborative teams
• Principal Investigator should have at least four years of service remaining (academic applicants)
• Industry applicants must satisfy BIRAC eligibility requirements

Benefits & funding

• Grant funding up to ₹25 crore
• Supports multidisciplinary Bio-AI research
• Supports establishment of Bio-AI hubs
• Supports collaborative research
• Supports biotechnology innovation
• Supports AI-enabled research

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with BIRAC, in your own name.

1. 1

   Prepare the research proposal

2. 2

   Identify collaborating institutions if applicable

3. 3

   Academic applicants submit through the DBT e-ProMIS portal

4. 4

   Industry and collaborative applicants submit through the BIRAC portal

5. 5

   Proposal evaluation by DBT/BIRAC

6. 6

   Funding decision

Documents checklist 23

• Detailed research proposal in the prescribed format.
• Proposal forwarded by the Head/Executive Head of the Institution.
• Institutional approval for project submission.
• Details of the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigators.
• Evidence that the Principal Investigator has at least four years of service remaining at the institution at the time of proposal submission.
• Details of participating institutions (for collaborative proposals).
• For Companies and Startups
• Certificate of Incorporation.
• CA/CS-certified shareholding pattern in the BIRAC-prescribed format mentioning UDIN.
• Proof that at least 51% of the shareholding is held by Indian citizens or Indian passport holders.
• Details of in-house R&D facilities, if available.
• Incubation agreement with a recognised incubator (if applicable).
• Audited financial statements for the previous three financial years.
• Passport copies of shareholders, if required for Indian ownership verification.
• Declaration confirming that the company is not in default with BIRAC or any other funding agency and that no legal proceedings are pending.
• For LLPs
• LLP Registration or Incorporation Certificate.
• Partnership Deed.
• CA/CS-certified declaration stating that at least 50% of the partners are Indian citizens, including UDIN.
• Passport copies of Indian partners.
• Details of research facilities or incubation agreement.
• Audited financial statements for the previous three financial years.
• Declaration regarding defaults and pending legal proceedings.

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