India and Spain will soon begin collaborative programmes in the field of biotechnology under the Indo-Spanish programme for technological co-operation in the field of biotechnology. The programme is open to collaborative R&D projects in all areas of biotechnology e.g. health biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, nanobiotechnology, agro-biotechnology, including biofuels and bioenergy.

The objective of this joint Indo-Spanish programme is to promote and fund market-driven research and technology development as well as to encourage partnerships and business-led R&D&I collaborative projects in the field of biotechnology. The programme aims to launch ambitious joint projects of a high international standard between Indian and Spanish organisations. Potential projects will be funded by DBT in India and CDTI in Spain.

Minimum eligibility criteria for the programme include at least one qualified partner from India and one qualified partner from Spain. From the Spanish side the project must necessarily be led by a company. Collaboration with other Spanish R&D entities (research institutes, academic institutions, technology centres) is permitted. The Indian side of the consortium can either be led by a company or a research institution.

Joint programme for co-operation between India and Spain was signed by the Department of Biotechnology of India (DBT) and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), Spain on November 22 last year. The DBT and the CDTI are the nodal implementing agencies from the Indian and Spanish side respectively.

DBT is the nodal agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India for the promotion of research, development and innovation in the field of biotechnology. DBT funds and supports all Indian universities, research organisations, non-governmental organisations and industry working in the area of biotechnology.

The CDTI is a Public Entity, part of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Government of Spain, which fosters the technological development and innovation of Spanish Companies. Since 2009, it has been the entity that channels and supports applications for national and international R&D&I projects of Spanish Companies.