DBT-REMS Invites Joint Research Proposals in the Area of Biotechnology

GOVERNEMNT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

BILATERAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN THE AREA OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

JOINT CALL FOR PROPOSALS (2017-19) FROM ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY

LAST DATE OF SUBMISSION  : 1ST DECEMBER’2016

Under recently concluded Programme of Cooperation (PoC), Department of
Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology (MST), India and Russian Ministry
of Education and Science (RMES), Russia invites Joint Research Proposals in the area of
Biotechnology.

I – OBJECTIVES

The objective is to broaden and deepen cooperation in Science & Technology in the field
of Biotechnology; to encourage industrial R&D and related investment flows, bilaterally
and/or regionally in the field of Biotechnology and to promote transparency through
exchange of information and cooperation among relevant institutions.

II – PRIORITY RESEARCH AREAS

In the area of Biotechnology, the following research areas will be given priority in the
present call for proposal:
A. Genomic & Proteomics Instrumentation
B. Nano-Devices
C. Bioenergy – Photosynthesis based only
D. Bio-reagents

Proposals are submitted for translational research or proof of concept for technology
development will be given preference. Proposals from an Indian industry having
2 collaboration with an Indian academic institution will be

preferred. Proposals
submitted in other research areas will NOT be considered

III – PROJECT DURATION

The duration of a project will be three (3) years only.

IV – WHO CAN APPLY

The Principal investigators from Indian academic or industrial Institutions/organizations of each side who fulfill national eligibility rules for research grant application are eligible to apply. Non-resident Indians are NOT eligible to apply.

V – CRITERIA FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

The minimum requirements for proposal submission in response to the present
call for proposal are as follows:

1. Only a Joint Proposal having at least one Indian and Russian investigator will be
accepted
2. Joint Proposals written in English language ONLY will be accepted
3. Proposals of exceptional quality having a strong translational component will be
preferred
4. Proposal must mention the joint objectives for a proposal with distinction of the
components to be performed on Indian and Russian side with time lines.
5. Investigator must

i. hold a regular/permanent position in any Indian institution.

ii. Any Indian national holding temporary position in any Indian institution may also apply with a certificate from the organization stating that ‘the institution will extend the laboratory facilities and provide the administrative flexibility without affecting/influencing the R&D activity proposed to be carried out. Furthermore, the temporary investigator has to sign an agreement (a copy needs to be submitted to DBT) with the institution that the investigator will not leave the project before its completion and in case it is absolutely necessary then the investigator can leave the institution only after the satisfactory submission of the financial
documents necessary for foreclosing a project’.

iii. Investigator from an Indian Industry (having >51% shares) has to sign a bond with DBT that the investigator can’t leave the project before completion

6. List of Existing facilities and brief scientific output sketch (not more than 1 page)
of the investigators must be included within the proposal
7. The investigator must have at least 3 internationally peer reviewed articles in
having impact factor not less than 2 3
8. The age of the Indian investigator should not exceed 55 years at the time of grant of a project

Proposals screening and evaluation criteria may include but, in general, will be separate from the minimum submission requirements.

VI – MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

An originally signed letter or email from a Russian collaborator must accompany with
the initial proposal. A proposal must have clear objectives and the proposed
complementary work plan.

VII – APPLICATION PROFORMA

The Proforma for submitting a Joint Research proposal is available as Annex-1. The
detailed information and the application form may be accessed under Call for Proposal
at DBT website http://www.dbtindia.nic.in/funding-mechanism-2/call/ and on
www.2014.fcpir.ru for participants from Russia. For support, the Indian investigator
will submit a joint proposal to DBT only and the Russian investigator will submit a joint
proposal to Russian side only. Proposals submitted after the deadline will NOT be
considered.

VIII – FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The total grant earmarked for this call is Rs.7.8Crore (~USD1140000) with a
maximum of up to Rs2.6croresrupees (~USD380000$) per project spread over three years. The funding agency in each country will support expenses for their own respective national
researchers. Funding procedures and eligible costs are subject to national regulations.

Terms and conditions of the financial support are as follows:

1. The duration of each project will be three years only.

2. Support is available for Joint Research in areas of biotechnology. Joint research
projects will be carried out by research teams from both countries.

3. A DSIR certificate for recognition of R&D activities.

4. A certificate stating that ” No Utilization Certificate/Statement of Expenditure is
pending for rendition against the Central/State government Grant-in-Aid”

5. Independent investigators/team leaders should submit an application to respective
nodal agency, using the respective forms prescribed by DBT and RMES.
Applications submitted by one side only; not on prescribed format and received
after due date will not be accepted. Indian/Russian independent
investigators/team leaders should, therefore, ensure that their counterpart submit
4 an identical application on prescribed format as per guidelines of respective nodal
agencies.

6. On Indian side, the project staff will be supported as per the guidelines of
Government of India in force from time to time

7. For Industry projects the following conditions needs to be met –

i. Recurring Grant for ‘Travel and overhead’ grant will NOT be provided
ii. Statement stating that the funds can’t be diverted for activities other than
sanctioned.
iii. Proof showing that company is an Indian company
iv. three years audited statement of the organization
v. Copy of Bye laws of the organization
vi. Copy of Registration certificate under the Society/Company Act for the
organization

8. The subsequent year funding depends upon the submission of the annual progress
report, financial documents as well as other documents desired and based on the
performance appraisal of the project evaluated by the Joint Steering Committee

IX – ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSALS

All applications received on or before the notified closing date will undergo a peer
review process and then be referred to an independent advisory panel for consideration
and ranking. Applications must attain a positive rating to be considered eligible for
funding. Joint selection of successful applications by DBT and RMES will be discussed
by the respective nodal agencies. The following criteria will be taken into consideration
for evaluation of proposals:

1. Scientific excellence: A. Relevance of Research approach and quality B. Project impact and possibility of commercial application C. Potential to achieve the expected results and indicative values.

2. Qualification & relevant experience of the Project Coordinator/Investigator and the team (including foreign partners): A. Qualification and Research experience B. Scientific achievements

3. Availability of Research Infrastructure (Equipments and Lab space )

4. Project Funding: A. Cost estimates and planned activities

B. Rationale for proposed funding

The evaluation scores/results will be jointly discussed in the meeting of Joint Working Committee. The projects recommended and approved by the Joint Working Committee will ONLY be supported

X – REVIEW & RESULT ANNOUNCEMENT

1. DBT and RMES will conduct parallel review of the applications respectively based on the agreed criteria. DBT and RMES will make joint decisions based on the review scores/results. 2. List of selected projects will be posted on website http://www.dbtindia.nic.in/funding-mechanism-2/call/and http://www.fcpir.ru

3. Expected start of projects: around June 2017

XI – PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

The applicants must fulfill national eligibility funder rules for research grant application. The proposals may be submitted from each side at follows –

India:

An Electronic and hard copies of the preliminary proposals needs to be submitted
by the Indian investigators. Electronic copy may be sent at [email protected]. However, the hard copies (10 copies) of the proposal may reach at Dr. Rajneesh K.
Gaur, Scientist ‘D’, Department of Biotechnology, International Division-2, 814,
Block-2, CGO complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003.

Russia:

Департамент науки и технологии, Министерства образования и науки,
Российской Федерации, 125993, г. Москва, ул. Тверская, д. 11, Тел: 8-499-702-85- 40; E-mail: [email protected]; URL: http://www.fcpir.ru

• DBT-REMS Joint Call (2017-19)

• DBT-REMS Joint Call Application PDF/ Word

Original Notification