The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) invites proposals from Biotech Companies/ Entrepreneurs for innovative, early stage, pre-proof-of-concept research and development & commercialization of available innovative research leads in all areas of Biotechnology under the Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) Scheme. The scheme provides early stage funding for high risk, innovative and/or commercializable product proposals. The model of Public Private Partnership between industry and public funded institution will be encouraged.

 The SBIRI aims to

1. Strengthen existing private industrial units where product development is based on in-house innovative R&D,

2. Create opportunities for starting new technology-based or knowledge-based businesses in biotechnology by science entrepreneurs,

3. Stimulate technological innovation and product commercialization,

4. Use private industries as a source of innovation and enhance greater public-private partnerships, and

5. Increase product development and commercialization in the public-private sector derived from Government funded R&D projects.

 ELIGIBILITY:

The proposals can be submitted

è                solely by an Industry; or

è                jointly by Industry and National R&D Organizations, Universities and Institutions:

è                by a group of industries/users, national research organizations, universities and institutions etc.

 The private firm should fulfill the following criteria:

• The unit should be registered in India and must fulfill the criteria of Small   Business Unit as defined in the scheme.

• At least  51% of the company’s shares should be held by Indian promoters, family and friends and the general public.

• The Company should have well established in-house R&D unit recognized by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)* or have patent rights (National or International) on preliminary work done related to the proposed activity.

[* The companies who are in the process of obtaining DSIR recognition or intend to do so may also apply. However final decisions on their applications will be subject to fulfillment of eligibility criteria].

 

Joint ventures and limited partnerships would be eligible for SBIRI support, where the entity created meets the above requirements.

The Companies should submit the proposal (5  copies + one soft copy [MS Word file and not a PDF file] through E. mail or CD) strictly in the prescribed format presently available on the web-site on or before 30^th June, 2008 before 5.30 p.m. to The Executive Director, Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), 5^th floor Anuvrat Bhawan, 210 Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi-110 002 (E. mail:  bcildelhi@vsnl.com Or bcil@biotech.co.in ), superscribing “CONFIDENTIAL, SBIRI PROJECT” on the document holder. BCIL has been appointed as the SBIRI Management Agency by the Departmentof Biotechnology and will ensure the confidentiality of the documents. The proposals with incomplete information or the proposals that are not in the prescribed format will not be considered.

Please visit our web-site at http://www.dbtindia.gov.in or http://dbtindia.nic.in for the structure of funding and other details of the scheme. This advertisement is also available on the web-site. All future advertisements will also be displayed on the web-site.

 For any further information and clarifications pertaining to the Scheme, please contact:

Dr. (Mrs.) Suchita Ninawe,
Scientist ‘E’,
Department of Biotechnology,
Ministry of Science & Technology,
CGO Complex, Block 2, 6-8^th floor,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003. 
Tel. 011-24363722.

Next advertisement is expected to be issued during September-October, 2008.