Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation (BioCARe) Programmes

Overview:

With the aim to promote Women in science and in an attempt to enhance the participation of Women Scientists in Biotechnology Research, the Department had launched Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation Programme (BioCARe), a special scheme of the Department in the year 2011. The purpose is to enhance participation of women scientists in India towards research in Biotechnology and allied area. The programme is mainly for career development of unemployed female scientists upto the age of 55 years for whom it is the first “sanctioned” extramural research funding. This scheme gives an opportunity to unemployed Women Scientists and also to those who are not in regular positions or had a break in their careers to get first independent research grant including fellowship and thus a chance to get back to the mainstream of Science. Through this endeavour of the Department, a concerted effort would be made to give women scientists a strong foothold into the scientific profession, to help them re-enter into the mainstream and to provide a launch pad for further forays into the field of science and technology.

Mandate:

To build capacities for Women scientists after a career break so as to help them undertake independent R&D projects. To open opportunities to unemployed women scientists and also to those who are not in regular positions or had a break in their careers to be back to the mainstream by getting their first research grant as Principal Investigator.

Thrust Areas:

• Animal and Marine Biotechnology and allied areas
• Bioengineering and Biomaterials and allied areas
• Medical Biotechnology and allied areas
• Environmental Biotechnology and Bioenergy and allied areas
• Plant and Agriculture Biotechnology and allied areas

New Initiatives:

Launch of next call targeting unemployed Women scientists, including those who wish to re-join the mainstream research.

Achievements:

• Five calls have been announced so far under the programme
• So far 364 Women scientists have been supported in various areas of Life Sciences.
• Around 400 papers published
• 11 patents filed including one international patent granted
• 145 posters presentations have been made and 26 have won awards at various platforms
• One scientist has been awarded “Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum Early Career Award” by Borlaug Global Rust Initiative.

Success Stories:

Mega Events :

Glimpse of Women Scientists & Entrepreneurs Conclave titled “Women Scientists & Entrepreneurs: Contributing towards transforming India” organized during 4th India International Science Festival 2018 to promote and encourage science education and entrepreneurship among the young Women. Various sessions were organized to showcase the role and contribution of Women Scientists & Entrepreneurs in transforming India. A poster and exhibition session was also part of the conclave where researchers and entrepreneurs showcased their work through posters and stalls.

A Photo Exhibition titled " Celebrating Indian Women in Science: An Incredible Journey" was organized in March, 2019. The aim was to remember, acknowledge and showcase the stories of great Indian Women scientists on International Women’s day, who have contributed to the development of science through their outstanding work.

Glimpse of the DBT-BioCARe Conclave with the theme “ Women Scientists Achieving Great Heights” organized on 8th and 9th March, 2019, New Delhi. Various sessions were organized where the beneficiaries of the scheme shared their success stories before and after getting their first independent BioCARe R&D projects and how it made an impact in their careers. A large number of students also participated in the event alongwith scientists and researchers

Glimpses of International Summit on Women in STEM–“Visualizing the Future: New Skylines ”, organized in January, 2020 to encourage the next generation to participate in the STEM fields and at the same time assess the success of the various efforts of ‘women in STEM activities’. Large number of women scientists, researchers and students participated in the event and benefitted from the lectures and panel discussions.

Achievements :

BioCARe Women scientists working towards achieving objectives of their first independent research projects.

To apply for the fellowship, please visit:

For Notification https://dbtindia.gov.in/
For Proposal Submission https:///fellowships.gov.in/

Contacts Concerned Officer for more Information