The Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation (BioCARe) Programme is a special initiative by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. The program aims to increase the participation of women scientists in biotechnology research by providing career development support to unemployed female scientists. It serves as the first sanctioned extramural research funding for women scientists, helping them re-enter mainstream science and technology research.
The program is managed by the Processing and Management Unit (PMU) at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi.
Benefits
Project Duration & Commencement
- Project duration: 3 years (as specified in the sanction order).
- The project must start within 45 days from the sanction order date.
- The institution must inform DBT about the grant receipt within 15 days.
Project Cost & Fellowship for Project Investigator
| Category | Required Qualification | Total Research Grant (₹) | Monthly Fellowship (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category-I | Ph.D. in Life Sciences, Allied Areas, Interdisciplinary Sciences / MD / MDS / M.V.Sc. | ₹60,00,000 | ₹68,000 |
| Category-II | M.Tech in Biotechnology, Allied Areas / M.Pharm / Equivalent Degree | ₹40,00,000 | ₹50,000 |
Eligible Research Areas
- Animal & Marine Biotechnology
- Bioengineering & Biomaterials
- Medical Biotechnology
- Environmental Biotechnology & Bioenergy
- Plant & Agriculture Biotechnology
Eligibility Criteria
Employment Status
- Candidates in permanent or regular employment are not eligible.
- Women scientists working in temporary research or academic positions may apply, but they must resign from their current assignment if selected.
- Applicants who have previously received extramural funding as Principal Investigators (PIs) are not eligible.
Age Criteria
- Applicants must be below 55 years as of the application submission deadline.
Educational Qualification
- Category-I: Ph.D. in Life Sciences, Allied Areas, Interdisciplinary Sciences / MD / MDS / M.V.Sc.
- Category-II: M.Tech in Biotechnology, Allied Areas / M.Pharm / Equivalent Degree.
Note:
- Candidates pursuing a Ph.D. or receiving any fellowship are not eligible.
Role of Mentor
- The Mentor must be a permanent employee of the Host Institution.
- Mentor cannot be the spouse or relative of the applicant.
- The project must be independent and not an extension of the Mentor’s research.
- Mentor must have:
- At least five years of service remaining.
- At least three ongoing or four completed extramural research projects funded by Government or Government-supported agencies.
- Provide laboratory space and resources for the applicant’s research.
Institutional Eligibility
- Host institutions must be Government-supported/Funded Institutions, including:
- Central/State Universities
- Autonomous Institutions
- Private Universities/Institutes
- Indian Non-Profit Institutions
- The institution must adhere to DBT guidelines.
Exclusions
- Candidates registered for a Ph.D. and receiving any fellowships cannot apply.
- Candidates who have already received funding under women-specific schemes from DST or other funding agencies are not eligible.
- Candidates cannot use this scheme for Ph.D. or higher studies.
Application Process
Online Application
- The scheme advertisement will be published on the DBT & PMU websites.
- Applications must be submitted online through the designated portal (link provided in the advertisement).
- Offline applications will not be accepted.
- The application has two parts:
- Part A: General Information of the Applicant
- Part B: Research Proposal, Budget, and Regulatory Details
Selection Process
- Initial Screening: Applications are evaluated by an Expert Committee based on:
- Novelty & Scientific Merit
- Experience & Qualifications of Applicant and Mentor
- Publication Record
- Infrastructure at the Host Institution
- Shortlisting: Selected applicants submit a detailed proposal for peer review.
- Final Selection: Shortlisted candidates present their research before the Expert Committee.
- Approval & Sanction Order: Selected projects receive funding based on the approved budget and documents.
Post-Selection Guidelines
- Candidates must join their Host Institution within 45 days of receiving the sanction order.
- Full-time commitment is required; no concurrent fellowships, grants, or employment are allowed.
- If the candidate joins a regular job, she cannot receive BioCARe fellowship.
- The Host Institution must nominate a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) if the candidate takes a permanent job during the project tenure.
- Candidates must submit annual technical and financial reports.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Number
- Government-issued ID & Address Proof
- Brief Research Proposal
- Mentor’s Profile
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Birth Certificate / DOB Proof
- Educational Qualification Certificates (Degree, Mark Sheets, etc.)
- Proof of National-Level Examinations (NET-CSIR, NET-UGC, GATE, DBT-JRF, ICAR-JRF, IIT-JAM, etc.) (if applicable)
- Publication, Patent, Book, or Dissertation Records
- Declaration by the Candidate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the full name of the BioCARe Scheme?
Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation Programme for Women Scientists.
Q: Who is the implementing agency?
The scheme is managed by Processing and Management Unit (PMU) at ICGEB, New Delhi.
Q: What is the project duration?
3 years, as specified in the sanction order.
Q: When must the candidate join the Host Institution?
Within 45 days of the sanction order.
Q: What is the research grant for Ph.D. holders?
Up to ₹60,00,000 (including ₹68,000/month fellowship).
Q: What is the research grant for M.Tech/M.Pharm holders?
Up to ₹40,00,000 (including ₹50,000/month fellowship).
Q: What are the eligible research areas?
- Animal & Marine Biotechnology
- Bioengineering & Biomaterials
- Medical Biotechnology
- Environmental Biotechnology & Bioenergy
- Plant & Agriculture Biotechnology
Q: Are candidates with permanent jobs eligible?
No, only unemployed women scientists can apply.
Q: Can Ph.D. candidates receiving fellowships apply?
No, candidates pursuing Ph.D. or receiving fellowships are not eligible.
Q: Can the Mentor be a spouse or relative?
No, the Mentor cannot be a relative or spouse of the applicant.
Q: How many years of service should the Mentor have?
The Mentor must have at least 5 years of service remaining.
Q: Which institutions are eligible?
- Government-supported Institutions
- Autonomous Institutions
- Private Universities & Non-Profit Institutions