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-Appreciation Grant, Residential workshops called as Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) for undergraduate students are organized to provide hands-on technical training and mentorship for problem identification in 3-4 weeks duration. Out of 30-40 students per workshop, 10 students are selected and provided grant support of up to INR 1 lakh each to encourage their inquisitiveness and sustained efforts. The recipients are recognized as BIRAC’s SITARE-Appreciation beneficiaries.

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)

The mandate of Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) is to provide exposure and orientation for the entrepreneurial journey through hands-on-technical training, interactive sessions with experts, access to a bio incubation center, etc. This is to promote grassroots innovations and nurture ideas with societal impact, pioneered by undergraduate students, especially from Tier II/III cities. The BIIS is a national-level programme to provide up to 4 weeks of residential training benefitting up to 40 students in each session.

Students pursuing Bachelors programme in any discipline are eligible to apply under the scheme.

The preference will be given to the students who are from Tier II/Tier III cities and aspirational districts within India.

• Under the scheme, the residential workshops called as Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) for undergraduate students are organized to provide hands-on technical training and mentorship for problem identification in 3-4 weeks duration. • Out of 30-40 students per workshop, 10 students are selected and provided grant support of up to INR 1 lakh each to encourage their inquisitiveness and sustained efforts.

In a year, 3 such workshops are conducted.

Tentative months for conduct of BIIS Workshops: February, June and December.

Yes, the following expenses will be covered for student participants: • Class II Rail fare and local travel expenses • Hostel accommodation • Breakfast, lunch, dinner • Shuttle facility from hostel to project site

BIIS workshop shall be conducted in lab/Bio incubator/suitable premises arranged by SITARE Partner.

Applications need to be submitted online only. Call for applications will be invited against advertisement by SITARE Partner.

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

Selection will be based on the Statement of Purpose (SoP) submitted by the Student. Key factors for the selection of applications include: • Originality (40%) • Clarity of Purpose (20%) • Implementation Plan (15%) • Potential impact (15%)