Emerging Frontiers in Biotechnology

Overview

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) recently initiated new program in the "Emerging Frontiers in Biotechnology (EFB)". This program will have three verticals namely Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Sciences, and Biological Sciences.

A. Biomedical Sciences:

This vertical covers both basic and applied science proposals related to human health and disease. It encompasses a wide range of topics, from the basic study of Biomedical Sciences by using model organisms and cell lines, and Human Biology to more specialized areas such as vaccines and diagnostics, chronic disease biology, human genetics and genomics, technological interventions in healthcare, and public health nutrition.

B. Biological Sciences:

This vertical includes basic and applied science proposals related to Plant Sciences and allied fields such as Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology, Bio-energy, Bio-resources, Environmental Biology, Bioprospecting, and other areas not covered under the Biomedical Sciences vertical.

C. Interdisciplinary Sciences:

This vertical would support proposals encompassing trans-disciplinary fields including drug development/repurposing, vaccine formulation, bio-engineering, biomedical devices/biosensors, 3D/4D bio-printing, nanotechnology, nutrition, and computational/synthetic biology and host pathogen biology/infections.

It may be noted that the proposals related to NER, Computational Biology/Bioinformatics/Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, HRD programs (Award/Fellowships, etc.), Societal Development programs, and Infrastructure Development programs (SAHAJ/BUILDER/STAR College; etc.) are NOT considered under the Emerging Frontiers in Biotechnology programs. These programs are separately advertised, and for further information, the respective program officers may be contacted.

The initiative has been taken with the aim of maximizing the efficiency of the Department's PI-driven R&D projects having budgetary provision upto Rs. 100.00 lakh. This program is designed to catalyze transformative research endeavors encompassing a diverse array of biotechnological domains, by way of handholding and providing research support to active researchers to undertake research and development projects in the Emerging Frontiers of Biotechnology.

DBT encourage the researchers from academic institutions, research laboratories and other R&D organizations to conceptualize and lead R&D projects that not only drive research & innovation but also address critical scientific challenges & unmet needs, thus redefining the landscape of biotechnological advancements.

Proposal Submission:

Under this initiative, Investigator driven proposals would be accepted twice a year in 3 months window (1stJanuary- 31st March, and 1st July- 30th September) only through the DBT eProMIS Web Portal (https://dbtepromis.nic.in/Login.aspx) with a maximum budgetary limit of Rs. 100.00 lakh.

Pre-requisite Information/ Documents for Proposal Submission under this Program:

Submission of proper declarations, Undertakings, forwarding letters as well as following information/ documents are mandatory during the submission of proposal in the eProMIS and non-submission of these information/ documents may automatically lead to fail submission. In cases, where incorrect / incomplete documents are submitted in eProMIS, the proposals may be summarily rejected.

• Investigators need to compulsorily provide details of ongoing projects supported by DBT. Investigator (as PI or Co-PI receiving funds) already having ≥4 DBT supported ongoing projects as on date of proposal submission, are NOT eligible to submit the proposal.
• Investigator (as PI or Co-PI receiving funds) already having an ongoing projects under Emerging Frontiers in Biotechnology programs (Biomedical Sciences or Biological Sciences or Interdisciplinary Sciences) as on date of proposal submission, is NOT eligible to submit new proposal till the expiry of the 2 years from the date of the initiation of the ongoing project.
• An investigator, (whether as PI/Co-PI/Co-Investigator) sharing the funds, is permitted to submit only one proposal per cycle. In the event that multiple proposals are received, only the prior submission will be considered for evaluation, the other proposal(s) will be rejected during the administrative scrutiny. It is the responsibility of investigator to propose for funds through single proposal. Reconsideration request of rejected proposals based on above mentioned reason will NOT be entertained.
• In case of Government agency, submission of information’s / undertakings about Zero balance Subsidiary Account (ZBSA) in ICICI bank, no pending Utilization Certificate, implementation of EAT module of PFMS, compliance of data submission in IBDC portal, Non-Availability / Justification of requested equipments; quotations for equipment; ZBSA details and copy of reassignment order, mandate form etc. are mandatory.
• In case of Non-Government/ Not for Profit Institutes, in addition to the above mentioned documents, they shall also need to submit proof of establishment under Indian Statute; Copy of Certificate of registration under Society Registration Act; Memorandum of Association; Details of registration in NITI Aayog ‘NGO Darpan’ portal; Copy of DSIR- SIRO certificate; and Annual Report alongwith Audited Account Statements for the last three financial years.
• Private Profit making agencies / Industries / Start-ups are NOT eligible for applying under this program.

Program Data

The list of ongoing projects under the various divisions of the Directorate is provided below:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Biological Sciences
• Interdisciplinary Sciences

Our Footprint (digits shows no of ongoing projects in the state)

The EFB Directorate, in a short span of time, has established a strong presence within the research ecosystem across the country and envisions achieving a pan-India reach. The North East region of the country is supported through a separate DBT initiative specifically focused on that area.

Contacts Concerned Officer for more Information

Biological Sciences Program Division

Biomedical Sciences Program Division

Interdisciplinary Sciences Division