SITARE-Appreciation Grant

Students Innovations for Translation & Advancement of Research Explorations (SITARE) Scheme is started by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) for supporting innovative student projects in the area of biotechnology. The scheme’s mandate is to promote and encourage young students for embracing translational research to develop innovative products and technologies addressing unmet needs. The scheme has two components: SITARE-Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award Grant (SITARE-GYTI) and SITARE-Appreciation Grant. SITARE-Appreciation Grant: Residential workshops called as Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) for undergraduate students are organized to provide hands-on technical training and mentorship for problem identification in 3-4 weeks duration. Out of 30-40 students per workshop, 10 students are selected and provided grant support of up to INR 1 lakh each to encourage their inquisitiveness and sustained efforts. The recipients are recognized as BIRAC’s SITARE-Appreciation beneficiaries. In a year, 3 such workshops are conducted. > About BIIS: The mandate of Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) is to provide exposure and orientation for the entrepreneurial journey through hands-on-technical training, interactive sessions with experts, access to a bio incubation center, etc. This is to promote grassroots innovations and nurture ideas with societal impact, pioneered by undergraduate students, especially from Tier II/III cities. The selected few would receive financial support of INR 1 lakh as an encouragement to pursue their inquisitive entrepreneurial idea. The fund recipients would be recognized as SITARE-Appreciation recipients and may also receive follow-up training and mentoring. The BIIS is a national-level programme to provide up to 4 weeks of residential training benefitting up to 40 students in each session.