DBT-BIRAC Joint Call for Proposals on Bio AI for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing under BioE3 Policy
By Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
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Quick Answer
Joint call for Bio AI hubs in biomanufacturing under BioE3. Open to startups, LLPs, and academic SIROs.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 30 June 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
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.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is a central government department under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. It was set up in February 1986. It supports biotechnology through fellowships, research calls and an innovation challenge, and its…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
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.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Proposals are evaluated periodically on a rolling basis, assessed solely on scientific merit, feasibility, and alignment with BioE3 policy priorities.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the DBT-BIRAC Bio AI call?
Indian entities only — companies registered under the Companies Act 2013, startups, LLPs under the LLP Act 2008, academic institutions, universities, societies, trusts, NGOs, and DSIR-recognized research organizations. Startups and SMEs participate as spokes within a hub model.
What are the five thematic areas covered?
Biomolecular Design (novel proteins, enzymes, next-gen antibodies), Sustainable Agriculture (drought-resistant crops, AI-powered disease sensing, dairy genomics), Synthetic Biology (metabolic pathway optimization, strain engineering), Ayurveda (AI-driven pharmacogenomics, plant-based drug discovery), and Genome Diagnostics (cancer biomarkers, neurodegenerative disorder stratification).
How much funding is available?
The call does not specify a fixed per-project grant amount. Funding quantum depends on the scope of the proposed Bio-AI Hub or spoke participation and is evaluated by DBT-BIRAC based on scientific merit and feasibility.
Is equity taken, and is this repayable?
No equity is taken, and the grant is non-repayable. This is a government R&D grant under India's BioE3 policy framework.
Can a startup participate without being the lead hub organization?
Yes. Startups and SMEs are explicitly encouraged to participate as spoke organizations, contributing specialized capabilities while benefiting from the hub's shared infrastructure, mentorship, and advanced computational and biomanufacturing tools.
What is the application deadline and how should proposals be submitted?
The deadline for submission is June 30, 2026 (midnight). Proposals must be submitted online at www.birac.nic.in only. No hard copies are accepted under any circumstances.
