The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will soon embark on a new research programme to conceive innovative solutions and promote community-directed research and service in the focused area of 'maternal and new born care' for the larger Indian population residing in rural and peri-urban areas.

The focus of the programme will be on biotechnology approaches for prevention, detection and treatment of maternal and newborn problems, keeping into consideration the Indian rural and low resource settings.

The DBT has invited proposals from universities, national labs, autonomous institutions and colleges, voluntary organizations and NGOs for this project.  The proposal should be aimed at diffusion of new and tested interventions, increasing the awareness among the community and training the rural health workers, developing low cost easy-to-use diagnostics/point of care technology, etc. The proposals with new thinking and having a well-articulated work plan will be encouraged.

Examples of projects which would be considered include developing low cost technology/products like pre-conception health assessment kit for anaemia, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid, etc. (products that are women-friendly and may be used by her at home); and developing low cost point of care technology for new-borns, such as respiratory counter, mobile miniature pulse oximetry, point of care diagnostics for detection of new-born sepsis etc.; simple and affordable solutions for newborn resuscitation.  

Other examples include developing low cost surfactant & hygiene products; increasing the awareness about the importance of genetic screening and promoting genetic counselling; training for the care of preterm and low birth-weight newborns; better ways to refer and transport sick newborns and mothers with complications to district and regional centres; and increasing awareness about the risk factors leading to pregnancy complications through audio-visual medium, for example maternal under-nutrition, smoking, importance of folic acid, iron & iodine supplementation for prevention of fetal abnormalities, chronic malaria, etc.

The projects will be supported to universities, national labs, autonomous institutions and colleges, voluntary organizations/ NGOs/social trust/foundations etc. However, in case of NGOs and Private organizations, projects should be submitted in collaboration with other government funded agencies/ institutes with proven track record etc.

The NGOs should be duly registered for minimum last five years and should have experience in implementing such projects at community level. The proposals will be examined by a DBT constituted expert committee and only shortlisted proposals will be intimated for presentation before the Task Force committee for consideration of financial support by DBT.

However, funding will not be considered for infrastructure development; basic research or solely R&D proposals; educational/awareness generation activities without any technological interventions; and technologies that are not useful in low-resource setting.