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Do you have bright, innovative ideas in lifesciences? Here's an opportunity to get some support and realise the dream.
The second round of the Grand Challenges Explorations India programme (GECI) has been announced. The last date to apply is February 28.
Its an initiative of the BIRAC in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation & IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad.
GCE-India has this time included Climate Change, especially in view of its predicted, large scale implications on health and lifeforms, says Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairman and CEO of the IKP.
The other areas include new medical devices, drug delivery systems, diagnostics and technology-enabled service models for health. In addition the scope has been expanded to explore clean energy for health as well, says Renu Swarup, Managing Director of BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Reseacrh Assistance Council),
The GCE-India through the partners will provide funds to ideas that have the potential to change the way we look at healthcare in the country and beyond. The solutions that emergy, when successful can not just be relevant to India but also applicable to many of the developing countries, Deepanwitha told Business Line.
The selected ideas will be eligible for an award of Rs 50 lakh for 18 months, and a prize of Rs 10 lakh for timely completion of milestones. Successful projects will also have the opportunity to apply for follow-on funds from BIRAC through the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP), Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) or even the GCE Phase II programme.
In addition to funding, BIRAC and IKP Knowledge Park will work closely with the selected candidates, providing them technical and business strategy advice, access & consulting space, which would help them take the innovation to the commercial scale.
Proposals are welcome from start ups to small and medium enterprises, scientists from government, private laboratories and academic institutions. Details can be accessed from www.gce.india.org
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