Call for Proposal at Department of Biotechnology | BIO-GRID 2026
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has announced a significant Call for Proposals for the establishment or up-gradation of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology Centres under the BIO-GRID programme. This biotechnology opportunity is designed to create a robust national ecosystem that bridges the gap between biological data generation and computational understanding, aligning with India’s vision of becoming a global biotechnology hub by 2030.
About The Department
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is a premier central agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Established in 1986, it serves as the nodal agency for promoting and developing the biotechnology sector in India through research, innovation, and infrastructure support.
DBT Call for Proposals: BIO-GRID 2026
In the context of the current Call for Proposal, the DBT is acting through its BIO-GRID initiative to establish specialized Bioinformatics & Computational Biology Centers across the country.
I. Background & Purpose
Bioinformatics is now central to modern life sciences, driving breakthroughs from genome analysis to drug design. The DBT is strengthening national research infrastructure to integrate experimental biology with computational innovation, creating hubs that transform biological data into actionable insights.
II. Core Objectives
- State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: Establishing centers equipped with High-Performance Computing (HPC) clusters, secure data storage, and advanced analytical software.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Building bridges between computational scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, and biologists.
- Translational Impact: Connecting research to healthcare (precision medicine), agriculture (crop improvement), and environmental science.
- Resource Development: Creating open-access tools, algorithms, and biological databases tailored to national priorities.
III. Priority Research Areas
Proposals are sought in fields including, but not limited to:
- Genomics & Transcriptomics data analysis.
- Structural & Systems Biology.
- AI/ML in Biology and computational drug discovery.
- Omics & Microbiome Analysis.
- Biodiversity Informatics and evolutionary genomics.
- Agricultural Biotechnology and plant genomics.
IV. Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants: Any Indian National holding a regular position in Indian academic or scientific research institutions (Government or Private).
- Institutional Limit: Each institution may host only one Bioinformatics Centre (BIC).
- Leadership: The Coordinator must be from the field of Bioinformatics/Computational Biology specifically to ensure authentic disciplinary leadership.
- Collaborations: Involving up to three partner institutions is encouraged, especially with Computer Science departments/experts.
- Private Entities: Must be recognized by DSIR as a SIRO and registered on the NITI Aayog NGO DARPAN portal.
V. Financial Support
- Project Duration: Up to 5 years.
- Budget Limit: Up to ₹5.00 Crore per project.
- Non-Recurring Budget: Capped at 30% of total cost (for compute and storage hardware).
- Private R&D Support: Capped at ₹2.5 Crore.
VI. Mandatory Compliance
- Data Sharing: All generated data must be deposited in the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) in accordance with BIOTECH-PRIDE guidelines.
- Software: Use of Free and Open Source Software is preferred and encouraged.
VII. Mode of Submission
Interested investigators must submit proposals online through the DBT ‘eProMIS’ portal under the program area BTIS-Network.
- Deadline for Submission: 31 January 2026.
- Contact: Dr. Richi V Mahajan, Scientist ‘D’, Department of Biotechnology.
Responding to this Call for Proposal is a strategic opportunity for Indian institutions to lead the next wave of computational innovation. The BIO-GRID programme is not merely a funding mechanism but a biotechnology opportunity to build national capacity in AI/ML, systems biology, and genomic surveillance. Whether you are upgrading an existing facility or establishing a new hub, the DBT’s focus on high-impact research and open-access data ensures that your centre will be at the forefront of global biological discovery. Ensure your application is submitted via eProMIS by 31st January, 2026, to contribute to India’s vision of a data-driven bio-economy.
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