Students Innovations for Translation & Advancement of Research Explorations (SITARE) Scheme is aimed at supporting innovative student projects in the area of biotechnology. The scheme’s mandate is to promote and encourage young students for embracing translational research to develop innovative products and technologies addressing unmet needs. The scheme has two components: SITARE-Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award Grant (SITARE-GYTI) and SITARE-Appreciation Grant.

Under the SITARE-Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award Grant (SITARE-GYTI), 15 innovative student projects will receive funding support of up to INR 15 lakhs each. The scheme encourages postgraduate and doctoral students to undertake projects with commercial potential leading to the creation of biotech startups. The fund recipients are recognized as BIRAC’s SITARE-GYTI beneficiaries.

No, “SITARE-GYTI” Award Grant is not a usual research fellowship.

The nature of the proposal should be as given below: • Translational research proposals to develop innovative products and technologies with the potential to address unmet needs. • The work supported through the SITARE-GYTI Award Grant is expected to lead to the creation of biotech startups. Hence, only proposals with the potential to commercialize innovative products and technologies will be considered for support.

• SITARE-GYTI award grant proposals can be submitted in any domain including Healthcare, Lifesciences, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Drugs, Vaccines, Drug Formulations and delivery systems, Industrial Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Agriculture, Secondary agriculture, Waste Management, Sanitation, Clean Energy and Artificial Intelligence/IoT with application in any of these areas. • BIRAC encourages interdisciplinary proposals from any stream that can help the conversion of innovative ideas into biotech products and technologies in any of the above fields.

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)

An Indian Student pursuing Ph.D/Masters in any discipline is eligible to apply for this award grant.

Yes, the meritorious candidature outside the above eligibility criteria may be considered for SITARE with the approval of BIRAC’s competent authority.

Support provided to beneficiaries under the scheme: 1. The funding support under SITARE is in the form of grant-in-aid. 2. The extent of funding is up to INR 15 lakhs. 3. The fund allocation is milestone-based and released in installments of up to INR 5 lakhs each based on the review of the milestone achieved. 4. SITARE Partner and BIRAC provide continuous mentoring support to the fund recipients, including but not limited to the following: • Technical Mentoring • IP Support • Legal Support • Networking and Outreach • Trainings • Regulatory Advice • Business Mentoring • Fundraising

The funding is provided for a period of up to 24 months.

Extension of grant award duration is discouraged. Request for extension of milestone/project can be considered (without any additional financial implications) only in selected cases based on the recommendation of the SITARE-GYTI Review Committee conducted by SITARE Partner/BIRAC. However, such a request with proper justification must reach SITARE Partner/BIRAC well before the scheduled date of completion of the grant award period.

No, the award grant is not transferable.

A student can receive SITARE-GYTI Award Grant only once.

Proposals shall be submitted online only during an active Call for Proposals.

Once a year.

In the month of August/September

The call is typically open for 45-60 days.

The eligible applicant can submit the proposal online through the BIRAC website: www.birac.nic.in

The applications received will be subjected to basic eligibility check. Stage wise screening of applications will be done by relevant Committees with domain experts. a) Initial Stage: At this stage, proposals will be examined for preliminary technical strength and suitability of translational research mandate. b) Short listing Stage: This stage will have review of applications by a team of experts based on online review comments and specific project/work plan. c) Recommendation Stage: At this stage, final shortlisted candidates will be called for presentation before an Expert Panel.

The evaluation of proposals received will include following criteria at each step of selection: • Novelty • Technical Rigor • Competence of Student • Societal/Commercial Value • Frugality

Yes, On announcement of finally selected students, a Grant Award Letter Agreement (GALA) needs to be signed by the Fund Recipient and SITARE Partner. Format of GALA is available on the website of SITARE Partner/BIRAC.

The fund recipient needs to open up a No-Lien Account with a scheduled/nationalized Bank before release of first installment.

1. SITARE Partner along with BIRAC support shall provide mentoring and monitor the progress of grant recipients periodically. 2. SITARE Partner shall organize and conduct: • Induction Programme for Award Grant Recipients • Biannual review of projects by SITARE Review Committee 3. Final Review will be done by BIRAC towards the completion of the project