Call For Proposal

Considering that it is imperative to successfully employ measures for early and accur ate, field- adaptable diagnoses, this Grand Ch all e ng e s i s a c all t o address an urgent need for the development of novel diagnostics for lymphatic filariasis disease.

Proposals must provide a strong rationale for the work proposed, demonstrating a clear understanding of India’s context and needs, and present a defined hypothesis and associated plan for how the idea would be tested or validated. There are two categories of project approaches that are of equal importance and value. Short-term approaches: The call is aimed at exploring alternative tests that either meet or exceed the performance and price points of current FTS or mf detection tools used for both stopping decisions and surveillance. The critical driver of success will be the ability to have prototypes available for initial field-based feasibility testing within 9-12 months. Furthermore, successful tests will be those that are field-based and that require a minimum of technical expertise or training for their operation. Long-term approaches: The call is aimed at exploring entirely new methods for identifying viable adult filarial worms in the human body, i.e., the absence of signal must indicate the worms are either not present, dead or permanently sterilized (as would be needed for stopping decisions), or entirely new methods specific for early exposure or pre-patent infection of LF-causative species (as would be needed for surveillance). The goal of the challenge is to have a reasonably inexpensive, durable and accurate testing method(s) which can be used in developing/remote geographies where test characteristics and performance should be aligned with WHO Diagnostic Technical Advisory Group-developed target product profiles. We hope to receive proposals for diagnostic development from India- based researchers and laboratories independently, or in partnership with global stakeholders.

i) In case of the applicant being an Indian academic scientist, researchers and Ph.D students (citizen of India) who must be willing to incubate at a recognized incubator submit a letter of intent for same.

ii) Companies • Companies incorporated under the Indian Companies Act, 2013 having a minimum of 51% Indian ownership. iii) Limited Liability Partnership • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 having a minimum half of the persons who subscribed their names to the LLP document as its Partners should be Indian citizens. iv) Indian institution/ universities/ public research organization.

• Academic institutions established in India and having NAAC/ UGC/ AICTE or any equivalent recognition certificate or any other Public/Government supported organization v) Society/ Trust/ NGO/ Foundation/ Association • Society/ Trust/ NGO/ Foundation/ Association established in India under the relevant Indian Law having at least half of the stakeholders (partners/ trustees/ members/ associates etc.) as Indians. 

1-Please visit the BIRAC website at www.birac.nic.in and follow the link to the registration and submission portal.

2. If you are applying to a BIRAC/GCI scheme for the first time, please note that you will have to register on the portal. The verification and activation of your new account may take upto 24 hours before you can apply for the scheme. Please take this into account while applying.
3. The online form needs to be filled completely with all appropriate documents uploaded.

4. Please also ensure that the Proposal Summary document is uploaded based on the format provided. Incomplete proposals will be rejected in the triage round. 

This Call is Now extended to 5th August 2022

Announcement Date: 07-06-2022
Last Submission Date: 05-08-2022 05:00 PM