Biotechnology Career Advancement And Re-orientation (BioCARe) Programme For Women Scientists
Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation (BioCARe) Programme for Women Scientists
The Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation (BioCARe) Programme is a pioneering initiative by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. This scheme is designed to promote and enhance the involvement of women scientists in the field of biotechnology research across India.
Overview of the BioCARe Programme
The BioCARe Programme aims to support the career progression of unemployed female scientists, providing them with their first sanctioned extramural research funding. By facilitating their re-entry into mainstream scientific endeavors, this initiative seeks to empower women in the scientific community. The Department of Biotechnology has entrusted the Processing and Management Unit (PMU) at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, with the management of this program. Applications are now being invited from Indian women scientists to participate in this transformative scheme.
Key Benefits of the BioCARe Programme
- Project Duration: The project is designed for a period of three years, commencing from the candidate’s joining date at the host institution, which must be within 45 days of the sanction order issuance.
- Grant Notification: The institution’s authorities and the mentor must inform the Department regarding the grant receipt date, which should not exceed 15 days post-grant receipt.
- Joining Deadline: Successful candidates must join their designated host institutions within 45 days of the sanction order; failure to do so will lead to project withdrawal.
Funding and Fellowship Structure
The funding and fellowship support are categorized based on the applicant’s qualifications:
| Category | Qualifying Degree | Research Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Category-I | Ph.D. in Life Sciences, allied areas, or MD/MDS/M.V.Sc. | Up to ₹ 60,00,000 (Including ₹ 68,000/month fellowship) |
| Category-II | M.Tech. in Biotechnology or allied fields / MPharma / equivalent | Up to ₹ 40,00,000 (Including ₹ 50,000/month fellowship) |
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the BioCARe Programme:
- Employment Status:
- Regular or permanent employees are ineligible.
- Women in temporary research or academic roles may apply but must resign if awarded.
- Those who have previously received extramural funding as Principal Investigators are not eligible.
- Age Limit: Candidates should be 55 years or younger at the time of application submission.
- Educational Qualifications:
- Category-I: Ph.D. holders in Life Sciences or allied areas.
- Category-II: M.Tech. graduates in Biotechnology or related fields.
Mentor and Institutional Requirements
To qualify, mentors and institutions must also meet specific criteria:
- Mentor Qualifications:
- Must be a permanent employee at the host institution and unrelated to the applicant.
- Should provide laboratory access and scientific guidance throughout the project.
- Must have a track record of at least three ongoing or four successfully completed research projects funded by government agencies.
- Institutional Eligibility: Applications must be submitted through government-supported institutions, including universities and non-profit organizations that comply with DBT guidelines.
Application Procedure
To apply for the BioCARe Programme, candidates must follow the outlined process:
- Online Application: The programme will be advertised on the PMU and DBT websites. Applications must be submitted through the specified online link.
- Application Parts: The application consists of two sections: General Information and Research Proposal Details, including budget and regulatory aspects.
Selection Process
Eligible applications will undergo a rigorous screening process by an Expert Committee appointed by the Department, focusing on:
- Novelty of the research proposal
- Scientific merit
- Feasibility and impact of the proposed research
For further information and updates, applicants are encouraged to visit the official Department of Biotechnology website.
Benefits
Date of Commencement of Project & its Duration
The duration of the project is of three (3) years and is specified in the sanction order.
The project starting date will be effective from the date on which the candidate joins the Institution but within 45 days from the date of issuance of the sanction order. The date of receipt of the grant should be intimated by the Institution authorities/Mentor and Nodal officer to this Department. It will, in no case be later than 15 days after the receipt of the grant by the Institute.
The successful candidates have to join their host institution within 45 days from the date of issuance of the sanction order, or else it would be withdrawn.
Project Cost & Fellowship to Project Investigator
Project Cost & Fellowship: Based on the applicant's qualifying degree, the budget support is provided in the following two categories:
Category: Category-I
Qualifying Degree: Ph.D. in any discipline of Life Sciences or allied areas or interdisciplinary sciences /MD/MDS/M.V.Sc.
Research Grant: Restricted up to ₹ 60,00,000 (includes consolidated Fellowship of ₹ 68,000/month).
Category: Category-II
Qualifying Degree: M.Tech. in Biotechnology or allied areas / MPharma/ equivalent degree.
Research Grant: Restricted up to ₹ 40,00,000 (Includes consolidated Fellowship of ₹ 50,000/month).
Application Process
Apply Online
Advertisement for Inviting Applications
The scheme of BioCARe program will be advertised on PMU and the Department of Biotechnology website. The desirous candidates are required to apply through the link created on the website or as specified. Applications received through any other mode/channel will not be considered and are liable to be rejected. The process requires one
full application with two parts. Part A requires General Information of the Applicant and Part B requires details related to the research proposal, budget, and regulatory details (see Annexure).
Selection Process
a) The eligible applications will be screened by an Expert Committee constituted by the Department for shortlisting based on the following parameters:
1. Novelty
2. Scientific merit
3. Experience and the qualification of the Applicant as well as Mentor
4. Publications record
5. The infrastructure of the Host Institution
b) Shortlisted applicants will be required to submit their full proposal which will be peer-reviewed and based on the reviews, the selected ones will have to present their research proposal to the Expert Committee.
c) Once the project is technically approved, a formal sanction order will be issued as per the recommendations of the Expert Committee (EC). The total cost of the project will be based on the latest quotation(s) of equipment(s) approved under the project and other relevant documents related to consumables etc. submitted by the applicant.
Post-Selection Instructions for the Candidates
Applicants cannot use this program to pursue their Ph.D./higher studies.
Applicants with an MSc degree or those pursuing a PhD/ MTech/ MPharma/ MVSc/ MD/ MDS/equivalent are not eligible to apply.
The applicant must have been successfully awarded Ph.D./ MTech/ MPharma/ MVSc/ MD/ MDS/equivalent degree before applying.
The applicants currently availing of any postdoctoral or contractual fellowship have to resign from the same before accepting the project under BioCARe program.
The applicant cannot hold another Fellowship/Grant/Award that provides them salary/stipend/emoluments/personal support concurrently with BioCARe project.
The applicants holding or had availed any funding under Women specific scheme of DST or any other funding agency are also not eligible to apply.
The candidates are required to spend 100% of their research time on the BioCARe project. The research time should be corroborated by the Host Institution at the time of submission of annual technical and financial reports.
In case the applicant joins any regular employment during the tenure of the BioCARe project, then she will not receive any fellowship or honorarium from the BioCARe project.
It will be mandatory for the applicant to get a Co-PI nominated from the Institute/Organisation where she intends to join and work as a regular employee. All the necessary documents will be required to be submitted again for the same.
The applicants must indicate the number of years of experience post-qualifying degree (i.e. PhD/MTech/MVSc/MD/MDS/MPharma) in the application form and will be required to provide documents along with the application.
The candidates are required to clearly indicate any non-research career break and submit evidence along with the application form.
Frequently Asked Questions
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | Biotechnology Career Advancement And Re-orientation (BioCARe) Programme For Women Scientists |
| Short Title | BIOCARE |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Ministry | Ministry Of Science And Technology |
| Categories | Education & Learning, Women and Child |
| States | All India |
| Gender | Female |
| Age Range | 5 — 55 years |
| Caste/Category | SC |
| Area | Both |
| Source | www.myscheme.gov.in ↗ |
Deepika Raikwar
Deepika Raikwar is an Education Analyst and scholarship researcher who focuses on public welfare and merit-based scholarships. She simplifies complex eligibility rules, deadlines, and application processes to help common people access reliable funding opportunities worldwide.
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