The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is planning to modify and expand the public private partnership programme 'Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI)' based on the report of an ongoing expert review and suggestions from different stakeholders.
The DBT has invited applications from the companies for funding through loans and grants under the 15th batch of the SBIRI, even as it is keen to further modify the scheme to take the gains to wider sections of the industry, sources said.
The DBT has already entrusted the task of review with the IIM, Bangalore and is waiting for the report so that the programme can be modified accordingly. The Department has collected suggestions from different stakeholders to broadbase the scheme as per the industry preferences, it is learnt.
As per the latest records, the DBT has cleared 81 proposals so far for single industry projects and
collaborative ventures and extended soft loans and grants. The application for the current batch will close on February 28.
Sources said apart from expanding the base, the DBT is planning to monitor the projects initiated in the past in a better manner to ensure progress and development of products and processes. The SBIRI on-line system will be monitored for its effectiveness. Emphasis would be on innovation and validation and scaling-up of the proof-of-concepts obtained in various projects supported under this scheme. Some new ideas and concepts in different areas of biotechnology would be generated and new entrepreneurs will be encouraged further, sources said.
According to the announcement of 15th batch, proposals are being invited from pharma and biotech companies for 'for support of early stage, pre proof-of-concept research and development of research leads towards commercialization in all fields of biotechnology.'
The SBIRI assists small and medium business units including new enterprises with not more than 500 employees in R&D, offers phase I funding for early stage, pre proof-of-concept innovative research and provides Phase II funding towards commercialization of research leads.
