Assam Bio-Innovation Fellowship (ABF)

Assam Bio-Innovation Fellowship (ABF) is a highly competitive scheme instituted by the Assam Biotechnology Council (ABTC) under Department of Science, Technology and Climate Change, Govt. of Assam to reconize and reward scientists below age of 55 years with excellent track record and have made significant scientific contributions in Biotechnology and allied areas. The major emphasis is on innovation and translational research with a potential towards commercialization and societal benefit.

A. OBJECTIVES

The objective of this fellowships is to incentivize joint research programs of Assam based institutions with researchers pursuing doctoral and post-doctoral in Assam-specific life sciences research in institutes / universities of repute in India. The scheme will also be applicable to scientists interested in sabbatical research work.

B. THRUST AREAS

ABF supports innovation under the following thrust areas -
1. Agriculture and plant biotechnology (Horticulture, Floriculture, Secondary Agriculture, etc)
2. Animal Biotechnology (Dairy, Poultry, Fisheries, Piggery, etc)
3. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
4. Traditional medicine and herbal technology
5. Bio-resource based industries for banana, pine apple, citrus etc
6. Microbial biotechnology
7. Processed foods (Fermented foods, traditional foods, organic foods, etc)
8. Seri Biotechnology
9. Petroleum Biotechnology
10. Medical Biotechnology (Devices & Diagnostics, Drugs including drug delivery, Stem Cells, Vaccines)
11. Bio-energy and Environmental biotechnology (bio-energy, bioremediation, etc)
12. Tea Biotechnology
ABTC encourages proposals involving integration of Biotech with applied sciences that may include Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Sensors, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, Automation, Robotics, and related disciplines to potentially facilitate transforming healthcare, life sciences, agriculture, secondary agriculture, and other bio-based industry / markets.

C. PROJECT DURATION

The funding is provided for a period of up to 12 months. The project is implemented in a milestone based manner. Fellowship fund can be utilized only as remuneration of the awardee and not for any other purposes what so ever.

D. FELLOWSHIP & TIME PERIOD UNDER THE SCHEME

ABTC shall provide financial support not exceeding - 5 lakhs for a period of 12 months limited to 3 researchers.

E. WHO CAN APPLY?

1) The individual applicant (Researchers / Any other Professionals) should be an indian citizen and working in R & D, academia and an Incubation center in Assam.
2) The applicant can incubate in an incubator (Incubator could be located in Assam). At the time of application, the applicant is expected to have identified preferred incubator. LoI / MoU with the incubator is required for final approval.
3) The applicant required to submit a letter of consent from the supervisor of the laboratory where the proposed project will be undertaken.
4) Applicants have to submit recommendation letter from Head of the Institute.

F. MODE OF SUBMISSION

Application to be submitted through NERC registration portal
https://www.iitg.ac.in/rnd/nerc/registration.html