Call for Proposals: Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing under BioE3 Policy (India)

Deadline: 15-May-25

DBT-BIRAC Joint Call for Proposals on ‘Precision Biotherapeutics- mRNA Therapeutics’ for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing under BioE3 Policy.

Objective

• To create, nurture and foster high-performance biomanufacturing ecosystem for discovery and innovative research and bridging the gap between ‘lab-to-pilot’ and ‘precommercial ‘’ scale manufacturing of commercially viable bio-based products. This will:
  • Foster discovery and innovative research to develop commercially viable bio-based products;
  • Enable Startups, SMEs, industries and academia with access to shared infrastructure/facilities and resources for pilot and pre-commercial scale biomanufacturing of viable commercial bio-based products;
  • Provide otherwise missing exposure and access to process development & optimization, pilot & pre-commercial scale testing, and validation facilities;
  • Enable nucleation of stakeholder engagements such as Industries, Private investors, Regulators, Service Providers, Global talents, required to yield a globally competitive innovation ecosystem;
  • Build local vendors and supply chain, strengthen mentorship; attract private investments to expand state of art infrastructure footprint in a public-private partnership (PPP) mode;
  • Impart forward pull to scalability and sustainability of bio-entrepreneurial system;
  • Provide training and internship for building human resources with the required interdisciplinary, cross functional technical skills to foster biomanufacturing.

Thematic Sections

• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, has developed an Implementation Plan under the BioRIDE scheme for Fostering HighPerformance Biomanufacturing. This strategic roadmap outlines six thematic sectors that will drive India’s biomanufacturing revolution:
  • Bio-based chemicals and enzymes
  • Functional food and smart proteins
  • Precision biotherapeutics
  • Climate-resilient agriculture
  • Carbon capture and it’s Utilization
  • Futuristic marine and space research

Funding Mechanisms

• The Funding mechanisms for the two categories i.e.
  • Discovery and Application-oriented Integrated Network Research 
    • Funding to Startups, SMEs and Industry
      • Funding Mechanisms: Upto ₹ 50 lakhs funding through Grant-in-aid
    • Funding to Academia
      • Funding Mechanism
        • The maximum budgetary limit for the proposals (to be received under the call) will be
          • ₹2.5 Crore (single –institute projects),
          • ₹5 Crore (collaborative projects), and
          • ₹10 Crore (network projects including Centres of Excellence)
  • Bridging the Gap for Scale up 
    • Funding to Startups, SMEs, and industry
      • Funding Mechanism
        • Up to ₹ 50 lakhs funding through Grant-in-aid
    • Funding to Startups, SMEs, and industry (beyond ₹ 50 lakhs)
      • Funding Mechanism
        • Financial Assistance through ‘Co-funding’ and royalty sharing/equity financing in the following manner:
        • For start-ups, SMEs and Industry applicants funding through ‘Co-funding’ would involve the cost sharing of a minimum of 30% of total project cost by the grantee organisation in cash excluding land and construction costs.
        • For joint Industry-academia projects minimum 30% of the cost of the industry component will be shared by the industry.
    • Funding to Academia
      • Funding Mechanism
        • Private Universities/ NGOs/ Trusts/ foundations etc. will be encouraged to share 25% of capital investment cost

Expected Outcomes

• The anticipated outcomes include:
  • Accelerated Transition to Scale: Enhanced lab-to-pilot and pre-commercial scale manufacturing of bio-based products by startups, SMEs, industries, and academic institutions
  • Increased Visibility for Indigenous Products: Greater visibility of an indigenous pipeline of high-value bio-based products, attracting subsequent private investments and fostering a robust market presence.
  • Development of a Skilled Workforce: An expanded cohort of highly skilled professionals in India, leading to increased employment opportunities and heightened entrepreneurial momentum.
  • Strengthened Local Market: A range of Made-in-India bio-based products entering the market, bolstering local logistics and vendor networks while reducing reliance on imports and non-renewable resources.
  • Maturation of the Biotech Innovation Ecosystem: The development of a thriving biotech innovation ecosystem in the country, contributing to the vision of establishing India as a Biomanufacturing hub.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant seeking support from BIRAC should:
  • be a legal entity (for profit/not-for-profit entities), registered in India with taxation and other administrative authorities.
  • have prior experience in the applied area of Bio-services/Biomanufacturing.
  • not be blacklisted by any Central/ State Government/Public Sector Undertaking, Govt. of India.
  • Major promoter(s) or the legal entity not involved in any major litigation that may have an impact of affecting or compromising delivery of assigned projects.
  • Adhere to the Policies of DBT and BIRAC on data protection, confidentiality & conflict of interest.

For more information, visit Department of Biotechnology.