About
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, invites applications under its E-YUVA Scheme (Empowering Youth for Undertaking Value Added Innovative Translational Research).
The programme aims to encourage young students and researchers to pursue applied research, develop innovative biotechnology solutions and translate scientific ideas into products and technologies that address societal and industrial needs.
The scheme offers support through fellowships, annual research grants, technical and business mentoring, incubation facilities and entrepreneurial training through designated E-YUVA Centres (EYCs).
Fellowship categories
1. BIRAC E-YUVA Fellowship — Undergraduate Students
This category supports undergraduate student teams undertaking innovative research projects. Participants can conduct research in their college or university laboratories while accessing E-YUVA Centre facilities and mentoring.
2. BIRAC Innovation Fellowship — Postgraduates and PhD Holders
This category supports eligible postgraduate and doctoral graduates interested in developing innovative research ideas with commercialisation potential. Fellows receive mentoring and incubation support to help translate their ideas into biotechnology products, technologies or potential startups.
Research areas
Applications may cover a wide range of interdisciplinary areas, including:
- Healthcare and life sciences
- Diagnostics and medical devices
- Drugs, vaccines and drug delivery systems
- Industrial biotechnology
- Bioinformatics
- Agriculture and secondary agriculture
- Waste management and sanitation
- Clean energy
- Artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and automation applied to relevant sectors
The scheme encourages innovative projects with the potential to address real-world problems.
Eligibility
BIRAC E-YUVA Fellowship
- Applicants must be undergraduate students enrolled at Indian colleges or institutes.
- Applications must be submitted as a team of 3–5 Indian undergraduate students.
- Students from the same or different institutions may form a team.
- The team must have a mentor or guide.
- Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.
- The current call particularly encourages applications from first- and second-year undergraduate students.
BIRAC Innovation Fellowship
Postdoctoral applicants
- Must have completed a PhD in a scientific field.
- Generally, applicants must apply within two years of completing their PhD; women applicants are exempt from this time restriction under the published eligibility conditions.
Postgraduate applicants
- Must have completed a Master’s degree in a scientific field.
- Generally, applicants must apply within three years of completing their degree; women applicants are exempt from this time restriction under the published eligibility conditions.
Additional requirements
- Innovation Fellows must work full-time at the designated E-YUVA Centre.
- Proposals should demonstrate potential to commercialise innovative products or technologies.
- Applicants currently pursuing a PhD or postgraduate degree are not eligible for the fellowship under the current call.
- Selected fellows cannot pursue a PhD or postgraduate programme during the fellowship tenure.
Applicants should review the current call document for the complete terms and eligibility conditions.
How to apply
- Visit the official BIRAC E-YUVA Scheme webpage.
- Read the current call for proposals and the applicable eligibility guidelines.
- Identify the appropriate category: E-YUVA Fellowship for undergraduate teams or Innovation Fellowship for eligible postgraduate and doctoral graduates.
- Prepare the research proposal and supporting documents in the prescribed format.
- Create a user account on the BIRAC website.
- Complete the online application form. For undergraduate teams, one team member can create the account on behalf of the team.
- Submit the application before the deadline and retain the acknowledgement.
Official application portal: https://birac.nic.in/desc_new.php
Current call for proposals: https://birac.nic.in/cfp_view.php\
E-YUVA Scheme guidelines and information: https://birac.nic.in/e_yuva.php
Deadline
Last date to apply: 31 October 2026, 5:30 PM IST
The current call opened on 1 October 2026. Eligible applicants should complete their online submissions before the closing date.