DBT-BIRAC Joint Call for Proposals on Bio AI for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing under BioE3 Policy

• Companies, institutes or NGOs working on AI-driven biomanufacturing innovations.

About this scheme

The DBT-BIRAC Joint Call for Proposals on Bio AI aims to integrate artificial intelligence with biotechnology to foster high-performance biomanufacturing under India's BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy. Bio-AI is positioned as a critical enabler for data-driven, programmatic research expected to deliver novel research leads with significant impact across Health, Agriculture, and Environment. The initiative seeks to establish Bio-AI Hubs as interdisciplinary, interinstitutional collaborations anchored by organizations with established expertise in AI/ML, supported by robust computational infrastructure. These hubs operate in a Public-Private Partnership mode as shared DBTL (Design-Build-Test-Learn) facilities, with startups and SMEs participating as spokes contributing to each hub's research and innovation ecosystem.

Bio-AI Hubs will develop AI-guided closed-loop platforms integrating predictions, experiments, and analyses in a continuous positive feedback loop to accelerate scientific discoveries, optimize bioprocesses, and improve decision-making at scale. The call covers five thematic categories: Biomolecular Design covering novel proteins, enzymes, bio-nanomachines, and next-generation antibodies; Sustainable Agriculture covering drought-resistant crops, AI-powered disease sensing, and dairy genomics; Synthetic Biology covering metabolic pathway optimization, strain engineering, and environmental biosensors; Ayurveda covering AI-driven pharmacogenomics, herb-drug interaction analysis, and plant-based drug discovery; and Genome Diagnostics covering AI risk prediction for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, cancer biomarkers, single-cell genomics, and neurodegenerative disorder stratification. Proposals are evaluated on a rolling basis. Selected organizations gain access to state-of-art biomanufacturing facilities and the broader DBT-BIRAC network, enabling high-impact collaboration across leading institutions and industry partners throughout India.

Who can apply

• Companies established under the Companies Act 2013, startups, and Limited Liability Partnerships under the LLP Act 2008 are eligible.
• Academic institutions, universities, societies, trusts, NGOs, and foundations recognized as Scientific and Industrial Research Organizations (SIRO) may also apply.
• Startups and SMEs can participate as spokes within the hub model, contributing specialized capabilities while benefiting from the hub's shared infrastructure, mentorship, and access to advanced computational and biomanufacturing tools.
• Only Indian entities are eligible, and proposals will be evaluated solely on scientific merit, feasibility, and alignment with BioE3 policy priorities.

Eligible entity types: Private Limited, LLP, Section 8 / NGO

Benefits & funding

• Participants gain access to shared infrastructure, mentorship, advanced computational and biomanufacturing tools, and state-of-art biomanufacturing facilities.
• They also benefit from the DBT-BIRAC network for collaboration with leading institutions and industry partners throughout India.

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Department of Biotechnology (DBT), in your own name.

1. 1

   Review the call guidelines and identify the relevant Bio-AI thematic area.

2. 2

   Prepare a detailed project proposal with all participating organizations.

3. 3

   Submit the proposal through the prescribed BIRAC application portal before the deadline.

4. 4

   Proposals undergo scientific, technical, and expert committee evaluation.

5. 5

   Shortlisted applicants may be invited for presentations or clarification.

6. 6

   Selected projects receive approval and funding under the DBT-BIRAC BioE3 initiative.

Documents checklist 12

• Detailed Project Proposal
• Consortium Agreement (if applicable)
• Organization Registration Certificate
• SIRO Recognition Certificate (for eligible research institutions)
• Company Incorporation Certificate
• Startup Recognition Certificate (if applicable)
• Project Budget
• Implementation Plan
• CVs of Principal Investigators
• Technical Work Plan
• Letters of Support from Collaborating Partners
• Ethics and Regulatory Approvals (if applicable)

Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.

Frequently asked questions