SITARE-Appreciation Grant
The SITARE-Appreciation Grant by BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) offers undergraduate students a chance to attend a 3–4 week residential Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) workshop, with 10 top participants from each batch of 30–40 receiving a ₹1 lakh research grant. The program provides free accommodation, meals, and travel during the workshop. Apply via birac.nic.in when calls open (typically in February, June, and December).
About This Scheme
The SITARE-Appreciation Grant by BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) offers undergraduate students a chance to attend a 3–4 week residential Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) workshop, with 10 top participants from each batch of 30–40 receiving a ₹1 lakh research grant. The program provides free accommodation, meals, and travel during the workshop. Apply via birac.nic.in when calls open (typically in February, June, and December).
Full official description
“Students Innovations for Translation & Advancement of Research Explorations (SITARE)” Scheme is started by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) for supporting innovative student projects in the area of biotechnology. The scheme’s mandate is to promote and encourage young students for embracing translational research to develop innovative products and technologies addressing unmet needs. The scheme has two components: SITARE-Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award Grant (SITARE-GYTI) and SITARE-Appreciation Grant. SITARE-Appreciation Grant: Residential workshops called as Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) for undergraduate students are organized to provide hands-on technical training and mentorship for problem identification in 3-4 weeks duration. Out of 30-40 students per workshop, 10 students are selected and provided grant support of up to INR 1 lakh each to encourage their inquisitiveness and sustained efforts. The recipients are recognized as BIRAC’s SITARE-Appreciation beneficiaries. In a year, 3 such workshops are conducted.
About BIIS:
The mandate of Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) is to provide exposure and orientation for the entrepreneurial journey through hands-on-technical training, interactive sessions with experts, access to a bio incubation center, etc. This is to promote grassroots innovations and nurture ideas with societal impact, pioneered by undergraduate students, especially from Tier II/III cities. The selected few would receive financial support of INR 1 lakh as an encouragement to pursue their inquisitive entrepreneurial idea. The fund recipients would be recognized as SITARE-Appreciation recipients and may also receive follow-up training and mentoring. The BIIS is a national-level programme to provide up to 4 weeks of residential training benefitting up to 40 students in each session.
Benefits
- Free 3–4 week residential workshop with accommodation, meals, and local transport
- Travel reimbursement (Class II rail fare + local transport to the workshop location)
- Up to ₹1 lakh grant for 10 selected participants per batch
- Mentoring and follow-up support from SITARE partner institutions
- Recognition as a BIRAC SITARE-Appreciation beneficiary
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in any discipline
- Must have a valid student ID from your institution
- Preference given to students from Tier II/III cities and aspirational districts
- Can attend only one BIIS workshop across all SITARE partners (unless already selected as an Appreciation Award Grantee)
How to Apply
Application Process:
The process for submitting the proposals online is detailed below: Step 01: Call for applications will be invited against advertisement by SITARE Partner. Applications need to be submitted online only. Step 02: Log on to the BIRAC website www.birac.nic.in Step 03: If you are a registered user, login using the credentials, else you need to register yourself as an individual by clicking on “New User Registration”. Step 04: In case of new user registration, a computer-generated password will be sent to the email ID provided at the time of registration. The password can be changed later. Step 05: Once you login, you will be navigated to the page displaying SITARE-BIIS link. Step 06: Click on the SITARE-BIIS application link under Programmes and the active call will be highlighted. Step 07: Click on the active call against which you wish to submit the proposal. Note 01: The format of the application with Statement of Purpose can be accessed through the website. Note 02: Tentative months for the conduct of BIIS Workshops: February, June, and December.
Selection Process:
Selection will be based on the Statement of Purpose (SoP) submitted by the Student. Key factors for the selection of applications include:
- Originality (40%)
- Clarity of Purpose (20%)
- Implementation Plan (15%)
- Potential impact (15%) Note: Selected students will be informed 3 weeks prior to start of the workshop.
SITARE Partner: Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (SRISTI), Ahmedabad is the current SITARE Partner.
Contact details of SRISTI: SRISTI, AES Boys Hostel Campus, Near Gujarat University Library & SBI Bank, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009, Gujarat, India. Email: info@sristi.org; Phone. 079-27913293, 27912792
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “SITARE” Scheme?
Students Innovations for Translation & Advancement of Research Explorations (SITARE) Scheme is aimed at supporting innovative student projects in the area of biotechnology. The scheme's mandate is to promote and encourage young students for embracing translational research to develop innovative products and technologies addressing unmet needs. The scheme has two components: SITARE-Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award Grant (SITARE-GYTI) and SITARE-Appreciation Grant.
What is the “SITARE-Appreciation Grant”?
Under the SITARE-Appreciation Grant, Residential workshops called as Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) for undergraduate students are organized to provide hands-on technical training and mentorship for problem identification in 3-4 weeks duration. Out of 30-40 students per workshop, 10 students are selected and provided grant support of up to INR 1 lakh each to encourage their inquisitiveness and sustained efforts. The recipients are recognized as BIRAC's SITARE-Appreciation beneficiaries.
Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
What is the “Biotech Innovation Ignition School”?
The mandate of Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) is to provide exposure and orientation for the entrepreneurial journey through hands-on-technical training, interactive sessions with experts, access to a bio incubation center, etc. This is to promote grassroots innovations and nurture ideas with societal impact, pioneered by undergraduate students, especially from Tier II/III cities. The BIIS is a national-level programme to provide up to 4 weeks of residential training benefitting up to 40 students in each session.
Who is eligible to apply under the scheme?
Students pursuing Bachelors programme in any discipline are eligible to apply under the scheme.
Who will get the preference under the scheme?
The preference will be given to the students who are from Tier II/Tier III cities and aspirational districts within India.
What is nature of support provided to beneficiaries under the scheme?
- Under the scheme, the residential workshops called as Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) for undergraduate students are organized to provide hands-on technical training and mentorship for problem identification in 3-4 weeks duration.
- Out of 30-40 students per workshop, 10 students are selected and provided grant support of up to INR 1 lakh each to encourage their inquisitiveness and sustained efforts.
How many workshops are conducted in a year?
In a year, 3 such workshops are conducted.
What are the Tentative months for conduct of BIIS Workshops?
Tentative months for conduct of BIIS Workshops: February, June and December.
Will the expenses of Travel/Accommodation be covered for student participants?
Yes, the following expenses will be covered for student participants:
- Class II Rail fare and local travel expenses
- Hostel accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Shuttle facility from hostel to project site
What shall be the facility for conducting the BIIS workshop?
BIIS workshop shall be conducted in lab/Bio incubator/suitable premises arranged by SITARE Partner.
What is the mode of application submission?
Applications need to be submitted online only. Call for applications will be invited against advertisement by SITARE Partner.
How can an applicant submit the proposals under the scheme?
The eligible applicant can submit the proposal online through the BIRAC website: www.birac.nic.in
What is the selection process?
Selection will be based on the Statement of Purpose (SoP) submitted by the Student. Key factors for the selection of applications include:
- Originality (40%)
- Clarity of Purpose (20%)
- Implementation Plan (15%)
- Potential impact (15%)
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- A valid ID issued by the Institution/University
- Aadhaar Card, PAN Card
- Educational qualification certificates
- Residence proof
- Any other relevant document