The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has invited proposals from registered Indian for-profit private entities, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), proprietary firms, etc. under its Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) scheme for funding of research and development in all fields of biotechnology.

Under the scheme, the DBT will support start-up units, small and medium enterprises as well as any other private industry with not more than 500 employees in research and development (R&D). Under the scheme, the DBT also offers phase I funding for showing proof of-concept innovations based on valid hypothesis, R&D aimed at product development (and not for academic purpose), development of lab-scale technology, refinement and validation of a technology at small scale, etc.

The scheme also offers phase II funding for process/product development, scale-up of technology, validation and trials, demonstration, commercialisation of innovative R&D, etc.

The proposals can be submitted solely by a private entity, or jointly with other private or public partner (Universities or National Institutes). More than 51 per cent of the shares of the company are to be held by Indian citizens.   Industry should have Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) recognized in-house R&D unit or have IP ownership (including copyrights etc.) developed or acquired, and that will be used for the proposed project. Joint ventures and limited partnerships would be eligible for SBIRI support where the entity created meets the above requirements.

Companies can send their proposals till January 15, 2013.

Earlier, the DBT had launched the SBIRI scheme to boost public-private-partnership effort in the country. The distinctive feature of SBIRI is that it supports the high-risk pre-proof-of-concept research and late stage development in small and medium companies led by innovators with science backgrounds which is unique in nature to support private industries and to get them involved in development of such products and processes which have high societal relevance. SBIRI has unique process for generating ideas by bringing users and producers of technology together, it has the direct focus on producing product and a sense of urgency for producing defined results that only private sector engagement can produce.

The scheme aims to strengthen those existing private industrial units whose product development is based on in-house innovative R&D; encourage other smaller businesses to increase their R&D capabilities and capacity; create opportunities for starting new technology-based or knowledge-based businesses by science entrepreneurs; stimulate technological innovation; use private industries as a source of innovation and thereby fulfill government objectives in fostering R&D; and increase private sector commercialisation derived from government funded R&D.