Biotech Council Shortlists Eight Additional Projects for RDI Funding

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge), informed the Rajya Sabha that BIRAC has shortlisted eight more proposals for RDI‑F support, amounting to ₹390.35 crore. The shortlisted projects focus on biotech innovation, with an eye on commercial viability and national strategic interests.

The ministry highlighted that the shortlisting process is part of a larger call for applications that attracted 162 submissions from Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and 38 from Focused Research Organisations (FROs). The cumulative potential commitment from these entities could reach approximately ₹8,000 crore, subject to further evaluation and approval.

All proposals undergo a rigorous assessment against the IN‑SPACE standards to ensure they meet strategic, security, and national interest criteria before any funding is released.