The E-YUVA Scheme, initiated by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), aims to foster a culture of applied, need-oriented translational research and entrepreneurial innovation among young students and researchers. This programme provides financial support through fellowships and research grants, along with technical and business mentoring, exposure to incubation models, and orientation to an entrepreneurial culture. It is designed for postgraduate and postdoctoral candidates with the potential to commercialize innovative biotech products and technologies.
Categories
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BIRAC’s Innovation Fellows (for Postgraduates and Above):
- Applicants are expected to work full-time at an E-YUVA Centre (EYC) and ideally initiate biotech startups.
- Only proposals with commercial potential for innovative products and technologies will be supported.
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BIRAC’s E-YUVA Fellows (for Undergraduate Students):
- (Not covered in this category)
Areas Covered
Innovation Fellowship proposals can be submitted in any domain, including (but not limited to):
- Healthcare and Lifesciences
- Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Drugs, and Vaccines
- Drug Formulations and Delivery Systems
- Industrial Biotechnology
- Bioinformatics
- Agriculture & Secondary Agriculture
- Waste Management and Sanitation
- Clean Energy
- Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and Automation applied to biotech fields
BIRAC encourages interdisciplinary proposals that can convert innovative ideas into viable biotech products and technologies.
Benefits
For Postgraduate Fellows:
- Fellowship Grant:
₹30,000 per month - Annual Research Grant:
₹3,00,000 per year
For Postdoctoral Fellows:
- Fellowship Grant:
₹50,000 per month - Annual Research Grant:
₹5,00,000 per year
Additionally, fellows receive continuous mentoring support, which includes technical, IP, legal, networking, outreach, training, regulatory advice, business mentoring, and fundraising assistance.
Eligibility
For BIRAC’s Innovation Fellows (Postgraduates and Above):
- Academic Qualification:
- For Postgraduate Fellows: Must have completed a Master’s degree in any field of science and be within 3 years of completing the degree (female candidates are exempt from the time limit).
- For Postdoctoral Fellows: Must have completed a Ph.D. in any field of science and be within 2 years of the degree (female candidates are exempt from the time limit).
- Citizenship:
Indian students. - Employment:
Fellows are required to work full-time at an E-YUVA Centre.- Students pursuing a Ph.D. are not eligible for the Innovation Fellow grant.
- Selected fellows cannot pursue a Ph.D. during the fellowship tenure.
- Other Requirements:
- The proposal must have commercial potential to translate innovative ideas into biotech products and technologies.
- Applicants should have a strong background in R&D and relevant publications.
Application Process
Mode: Online
- Registration:
- Visit the BIRAC website at https://birac.nic.in/.
- Create a user account using your active email ID.
- Follow the registration process, which includes receiving an auto-generated email with an ID and a link to create a password.
- Proposal Submission:
- Log in to the portal.
- Fill in the online application form for the Innovation Fellowship.
- Indicate up to 3 choices for E-YUVA Centres from the available list (contact details provided on the portal).
- Enter mandatory details such as the project title, project summary, keywords, objectives, expected outputs/outcomes, and detailed budget information.
- Upload all required documents as a single PDF file (maximum file size 2MB).
- Final Submission:
- Preview your proposal thoroughly.
- Once confirmed, click the “Final Submit” button.
- No hard copy is required.
Documents Required
- Invitation/Hosting letter from an Indian/French scientist, researcher, faculty, or institution.
- Two-page research proposal under STEM and allied S&T areas (specifying the area in which you plan to work).
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer.
- Recent photograph.
- Copy of your passport.
- Educational certificates.
- Any other supporting document as required by the guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the aim of the E-YUVA Scheme?
To promote applied translational research and entrepreneurial innovation in biotechnology by supporting young researchers with fellowship and research grants, mentoring, and incubation support. -
Who is the implementing agency?
The scheme is implemented by BIRAC under the auspices of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council. -
What are the eligibility criteria for BIRAC’s Innovation Fellowship?
Applicants must be Indian postgraduates or postdoctoral fellows in any scientific discipline, with strong R&D backgrounds and commercial potential in their research. PhD students are not eligible, and selected fellows must work full-time at an E-YUVA Centre. -
What areas of research are supported?
The fellowship covers diverse areas including healthcare, diagnostics, medical devices, industrial biotechnology, bioinformatics, agriculture, waste management, clean energy, and AI/IoT applications in biotech. -
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship is provided for 18 months, with a possible extension of 6 months for deserving cases. -
How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted online through the BIRAC website at https://birac.nic.in/ following the detailed registration and submission process. -
Is there a limit on how many times one can apply?
An applicant can submit only one proposal per call.