The DBT-BIRAC Joint Call for Proposals on ‘Smart Proteins’ under the BioE3 Policy, approved in August 2024, aims to foster high-performance biomanufacturing to transform the global economy using regenerative manufacturing. The initiative targets the development of sustainable, scalable smart proteins—fermentation-derived, plant-based, and cell culture-based—to address food insecurity, climate change, and resource overuse. Proposals are invited under two categories: (1) Discovery & Application-oriented Integrated Network Research for proof-of-concept development, and (2) Bridging the Gaps for Scale-up to move technologies from lab-scale to commercial levels. Key areas of focus include optimizing fermentation processes, enhancing plant-based protein extraction, and improving cell culture for cultivated meat. The funding supports both academia and industry, with a project duration of up to 2 years, extendable to 5 years based on performance. This initiative aims to contribute to India’s nutritional and economic goals, fostering a sustainable biomanufacturing ecosystem.
Last date: March 25, 2025
