DBT BioCARe 2026–27: Applications Closed

DBT BioCARe Programme 2026–27

BioCARe — Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation — is a Department of Biotechnology programme intended to strengthen the participation of women researchers in biotechnology and allied research in India. It is especially designed for women seeking to establish or re-establish an independent research career and for whom the BioCARe project would be their first sanctioned extramural research funding as Principal Investigator.

Research Areas

The current BioCARe framework supports research in five broad DBT areas:

• Animal and Marine Biotechnology or allied areas;
• Bioengineering and Biomaterials or allied areas;
• Medical Biotechnology or allied areas;
• Environmental Biotechnology and Bioenergy or allied areas; and
• Plant and Agriculture Biotechnology or allied areas.

Applicants should define a focused research problem that fits the programme scope and can realistically be completed within the proposed host institution and project period.

Eligibility for BioCARe 2026–27

• The scheme is for Indian women researchers.
• Applicants should be residing in India and satisfy the employment conditions in the current programme guidelines.
• Candidates in regular or permanent employment are not eligible. Women working in temporary research or academic positions may apply, but must leave the earlier assignment if a BioCARe project is sanctioned to them.
• The applicant must not already have received qualifying government-supported extramural research funding as Principal Investigator; BioCARe is intended to be the applicant’s first sanctioned independent project.
• The age limit is up to/below 55 years as on the final application date.
• The qualifying degree must be completed by the application deadline.

Candidates currently enrolled in a PhD or other higher-study programme should check the current guidelines carefully because the scheme is intended for researchers pursuing an independent project rather than another degree.

Fellowship and Research Support

BioCARe provides a consolidated research grant that includes the researcher’s fellowship and approved project expenditure. The current programme framework distinguishes two qualification categories.

Applicants should prepare the budget around the actual scientific plan and the current DBT rules on recurring and non-recurring expenditure. Major or unnecessary equipment requests can weaken feasibility.

Mentor and Host Institution

The programme requires an appropriate research environment and mentor. The proposed project should remain the applicant’s own independent research initiative while drawing on the mentor’s expertise and the host institution’s facilities.

• Identify a host with facilities genuinely needed for the project.
• Choose a mentor whose expertise complements the proposed research.
• Obtain the required mentor/host endorsement in the format prescribed by the programme.
• Avoid presenting the proposal as merely an extension of the mentor’s ongoing project.

2026–27 Application Process (Closed)

1. Confirm eligibility under the current BioCARe guidelines.
2. Identify the host institution and eligible mentor.
3. Prepare an independent, three-year research proposal with clear objectives, methodology, milestones and expected outcomes.
4. Prepare a realistic research budget and the required endorsement/declaration documents.
5. Submit the application through the Common Fellowship Portal.
6. Complete submission by the revised deadline of 8 October 2026.

Selection Process

Eligible proposals are evaluated on scientific merit, feasibility, applicant capability and the independence of the proposed research. Shortlisted applicants may be required to present or defend the proposal before an expert committee.

A strong submission should demonstrate a clear research gap, an achievable work plan, appropriate host infrastructure, a justified budget and a convincing path toward independent research development.