Call For Proposal

Climate Resilient Agriculture has been identified as one of the thematic sectors under the BioE3 Policy for ‘fostering high-performance biomanufacturing’. India's agriculture sector is pivotal in ensuring the nation's food security and economic growth. However, environmental perturbations are altering optimal crop-growing regions, creating uncertainty in agricultural outcomes. As global population growth increases demand for food, feed, fiber, and feedstock under challenging climate conditions, agriculture exerts an outsized impact on land-use change, biodiversity loss, agrochemical overuse, water depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing these challenges requires advanced biotechnology and concerted action in minimizing environmental footprint of Agriculture, developing bio-based alternatives to chemical agri-inputs, securing high yield with minimal inputs & transforming agricultural fields into carbon sinks.

Hence, DBT and BIRAC, intend to foster an innovative ecosystem for enabling development and deployment of sustainable & scalable, industry ready technologies to revamp the agricultural value chain from farm to fork to landfill.

In view of this, DBT and BIRAC invite proposals on “High Performance Biomanufacturing for Climate Resilient Agriculture” with the objective to develop technologies and bio-based solutions for climate resilient circular Agri-economy. The focus is on leveraging precision genomics/genome editing, synthetic biology, advanced engineering of free living/symbiotic microbiota, in-field imaging, artificial intelligence and bio-based agri-solutions.

The proposals are invited under two categories where first category i.e. “Discovery and application oriented Integrated Network research” focuses on proof-of-concept development and applied research to validate the feasibility of innovative ideas and technologies (TRL: 3-5). The proposals are invited to develop proof-of-concept and/or translation of leads to demonstrate biotechnological and bioprocess solutions for ‘Climate Resilient Agriculture’ in controlled settings (laboratory, green house conditions, growth chambers). The established PoC should have the potential for scale up and field deployment with a sustainable advantage over the existing technologies. The following are the major areas of intervention under this category:

• Genomic & Synthetic Biology Innovations – Breed climate-resilient crops using genomic selection/genome editing; develop synthetic biology-based pheromones and bioprotection molecules.
• Al & ML based peptide/protein prediction platforms and validation of their potential to serve as novel Agri-biological
• Novel formulations/delivery systems for Agri-biologicals

The second category i.e. “Bridging the gaps for scale-up” focuses on industrial translation i.e. scale up of technologies with established PoC that have reached the early validation stage and are ready for late stage validation/scale-up (TRL: 5-7). Following are thrust areas under this category:

• Up-scaling of Bio-based Generics with proven market cap including biocontrol Agents, Plant Hormones, Pheromones etc.
• Validating and advancing existing proof of concept for molecules/strains/technologies available in laboratory set ups for scalable production & delivery of Biocontrol agents, Biofertilizers, and Biostimulants

BIRAC TRL definitions - https://www.birac.nic.in/desc_new.php?id=443

• Companies established under the Companies Act 2013 and Startups.
• The Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnership Act,2008.
• Academic from various Institutions/ Universities/ Societies/ Trusts/ NGOs/ Foundations/ Voluntary Organizations, recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO).

Proposals for the Scheme is required to be submitted online only. To submit a proposal online, please log on to the BIRAC website (www.birac.nic.in).

No Hard Copy to be submitted. Proposals submitted online only would be considered.

Extended Last date for Submission of Proposals: 15th May 2025 ( midnight)

Details of the scheme including eligibility requirements, categories for proposal submission; guidelines for support as grant and loan; agreement templates etc. are available at www.birac.nic.in

Announcement Date: 28-03-2025
Last Submission Date: 15-05-2025