DBT-BIRAC Joint Call for Proposals on Bio AI for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing under BioE3 Policy

The DBT-BIRAC Joint Call for Proposals on Bio AI seeks to merge artificial intelligence with biotechnology to advance high-performance biomanufacturing, in line with India's BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy. Bio-AI is framed as a key driver for data-led, programmatic research that aims to generate novel research leads with substantial relevance to Health, Agriculture, and Environment. The call supports the creation of Bio-AI Hubs—interdisciplinary, interinstitutional partnerships anchored by organisations with proven expertise in AI/ML and backed by strong computational infrastructure. These hubs function as shared DBTL (Design-Build-Test-Learn) facilities under a Public-Private Partnership model, with startups and SMEs acting as spokes that contribute to each hub's research and innovation ecosystem.

Bio-AI Hubs are expected to build AI-guided closed-loop platforms that integrate predictions, experiments, and analyses in a continuous positive feedback cycle, accelerating scientific discovery, refining bioprocesses, and enhancing decision-making at scale. The call spans five thematic areas: Biomolecular Design, covering novel proteins, enzymes, bio-nanomachines, and next-generation antibodies; Sustainable Agriculture, addressing drought-resistant crops, AI-powered disease sensing, and dairy genomics; Synthetic Biology, focusing on metabolic pathway optimisation, strain engineering, and environmental biosensors; Ayurveda, involving AI-driven pharmacogenomics, herb-drug interaction analysis, and plant-based drug discovery; and Genome Diagnostics, which includes AI risk prediction for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, cancer biomarkers, single-cell genomics, and neurodegenerative disorder stratification. Proposals are assessed on a rolling basis. Organisations selected through this process gain access to state-of-the-art biomanufacturing facilities and the wider DBT-BIRAC network, enabling high-impact collaboration with leading institutions and industry partners across India.

Submit proposals exclusively through the online portal at www.birac.nic.in. Hard-copy submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis at regular intervals during the open call period. The final deadline is June 30, 2026, at midnight.

Proposals are reviewed at regular intervals on a rolling schedule. Evaluation considers only scientific merit, feasibility, and how well the proposal fits BioE3 policy priorities.