This joint call from DBT and BIRAC aims to foster high-performance biomanufacturing in India by supporting the establishment and enhancement of Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing Hubs. These facilities will provide crucial resources and scale-up support for research, innovation, and biotech product development across various thematic sectors.

Focus Areas and Thematic Sectors

The call focuses on supporting projects that align with key thematic sectors critical for green growth and biomanufacturing advancement. These sectors include Bio-based chemicals, Bioplastics, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and Enzymes, addressing the need for sustainable chemical alternatives.

Other important areas are Functional Foods and Smart Proteins, promoting innovative food technologies, and Precision Biotherapeutics (monoclonal antibodies, mRNA therapeutics, cell & gene therapy), advancing cutting-edge medical treatments. Furthermore, the call encourages projects in Climate resilient agriculture (agri-biologicals), Biofuels and Carbon capture, and Futuristic marine and space research.

Applicants should clearly indicate which thematic area their proposal addresses and how it contributes to the overall goals of fostering biomanufacturing and green growth in India.

Eligibility Criteria

The call is open to a wide range of applicants from both academia and industry, fostering collaboration and innovation. Eligible applicants include:

• Academia
• Company/LLP
• Societies /Trust/ Non-Government Research Organisations/ Foundation
• Start-ups

Companies and LLPs must have a minimum of 51% Indian share holding/individuals holding Indian passports. Startups must be no more than 10 years old from the date of incorporation at the time of closing the call.

Detailed documentation, including incorporation certificates, financial statements, and partnership deeds, is required to verify eligibility. Applicants must also provide details regarding their in-house R&D facilities or incubation agreements.

Funding and Operational Modalities

Support is available for co-development of Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing hubs, providing programmatic research support for scaling-up and biotech product development. Funding will be allocated based on the 'Implementation Plan', which outlines the upper cap on funding and applicant contribution requirements.

Eligible budget heads include Nonrecurring expenses (refurbishing, renovation, equipment, accessories etc), Manpower, Consumables (repair and maintenance of equipment, chemicals, labware, etc.), Travel, Contingency, Conducting Training & workshops and Outsourcing. Land/construction costs will not be considered.

Applicants must provide a list of technologies proposed for scale-up, along with Proof-of-Concept (PoC) data. A business plan outlining revenue generation and cash flow projections is mandatory for both Biofoundries and Biomanufacturing hubs.

Proposal Submission and Key Requirements

Proposals can be submitted independently or as a collaborative project by both Academia and Industry applicants. Academia/Research Institutions should submit proposals through the Departments ePromis portal (www.dbtepromis.nic.in).

Industry and Industry-Academia collaborations should submit proposals through the BIRAC website (www.birac.nic.in). All proposals must be duly forwarded by the executive head of the respective institution or company.

The proposal should clearly indicate whether it aims to establish a new facility, augment an existing one, or utilize existing facilities. It should also highlight available resources, biological systems, product portfolios, and experience in setting up similar facilities.

Important Dates and Contact Information

The last date for submission of proposals is 30th June, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals well in advance of the deadline.

For further information, please visit www.dbtindia.gov.in and www.birac.nic.in. Contact persons are Dr. Kalaivani Ganesan (DBT) at k.ganesan@nic.in, Dr. Shilpi Gupta (BIRAC) at sgupta.birac@nic.in, and Dr. Prachi Kaushik (BIRAC) at pkaushik.birac@nic.in.

DBT/BIRAC reserves the discretion on determination of sanction of funding and processes as per its standard norms, and such determination shall be final.

Suggested Research Topics

Based on the scope of the call, here are some relevant academic research areas:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Biomanufacturing
• Advanced Materials Science for Bioplastics
• Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering
• Microbiology and Fermentation Technology
• Bioprocess Engineering and Optimization
• Genomics and Proteomics for Biomanufacturing
• Nanotechnology in Biomanufacturing
• Sustainable Chemistry and Green Chemistry