Call for Proposals: Biotechnological Interventions for Improvement of High Value Cash Crops

Indian nationals holding regular positions in Indian academic/scientific research institutions (Govt/Private, DSIR-SIRO recognised). Private for-profit agencies, industries, and start-ups are NOT eligible for DBT grants but may participate without DBT funding. PIs with ongoing DBT funding ≥ ₹20 Crore are ineligible.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, invites proposals addressing yield gaps, biotic/abiotic stresses, nutritional quality, post-harvest losses, and processing traits in high-value cash crops through biotechnological interventions.

Priority Crops:

• Spices: Black pepper, Cardamom, Saffron
• Plantation crops: Tea, Coffee, Cocoa
• Other Industrial crops: Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane
• Oilseeds: Groundnut, Soybean, Sunflower
• Horticulture Crops: Pomegranate, Grapes, Dragon fruit

(Other high-value cash crops of economic importance may also be considered.)

Priority Areas:

1. Varietal development — Development of new varieties (with existing improved lines/proof-of-concept) addressing biotic stress, abiotic stress, resource use efficiency, improved quality traits (aroma, pungency, essential oil content, fibre etc.), and yield.
2. Improvement of nutritional and quality traits — Enhancing micronutrients, vitamins, proteins, quality fatty acids, bioactive compounds; reducing anti-nutrients; improving taste, aroma, texture, size, and appearance.
3. Post-harvest interventions — Shelf-life enhancement, biocontrol agents, and bio-preservatives for chemical-free preservation.
4. Processing traits — Altering chemical composition (starch, sugar, oil, protein, fibre quality, moisture) for efficient industrial processing.

Key requirements:

• Proposals must have demonstrated leads and clear proof-of-concept.
• Clear objectives, rationale, deliverables, and detailed work plan required.
• Network proposals with complementary roles for each collaborator are preferred.
• Investigators with a track record for technology development are preferred.

Financial Support:

• Duration: up to 3 years.
• Individual proposals: up to ₹2.5 Crore.
• Collaborative proposals: up to ₹10 Crore.
• Network proposals: up to ₹15 Crore.
• Only academic and scientific research institutions are supported financially; industry may participate without DBT funding (IPR sharing certificate required if industry is involved). DBT Intellectual Property Guidelines 2023 apply.

Data sharing: All project data must be deposited at IBDC per Biotech-PRIDE guidelines.

Submission: Electronic submission only, through ePromis portal under the 'Agriculture Biotechnology' Program. No email submissions accepted. No deadline extensions.

Contact: Dr. Sneh Lata Singh, Scientist 'D', DBT, Block-3, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003. Email: [email protected]; Phone: 011-24363029.