The North East Region of India is a treasure house of plant, animal and microbial resources. The biodiversity of the region includes not only tropical and sub-tropical biota but those of temperate and alpine regions due to its altitudinal gradient. The Himalayan Bio-resource Mission, a flagship initiative of the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India was launched in the year 2021. Department of Biotechnology have been at the forefront of funding research in Himalayan Region of India to scientifically address challenges specific to these regions.
In order to further promote the bio-resources of the Himalayas of Northeast Region of the country, the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India invites Proposals in the “Himalayan Bio-resource Mission Programme of NER”. The Aim of the Call is to invite and support “translational and transformative proposals creating opportunities for increasing productivity in the region.
a. The proposal should necessarily involve Science (Institutes in Indian Himalayan Region of the NER) and engagement with Society. b. The focus may be on promotion of high-value cash crops (including generation of quality planting material and captive cultivation) and better land utilization of the region. The aim should be to increase the yields.
c. The focus may include microbial resources of the Region since there is enormous potential to leverage the rich invisible biodiversity.
d. The proposal may include value-addition of various bioresources based on the rich traditional knowledge available in these areas along with post-harvest management. These bioresources may include medicinal and aromatic plants, vegetable and fruits, unique livestock, fishes, insects and other selected faunal species that are at risk of overharvesting and /or hunting from their natural habitats.
e. The efforts should also include on developing climate resilient varieties of the selected crops of the region, which can assure the desired yield to the farmers in view of the climate change.
f. Other priorities are food and nutrition, studies on wild life, water, soil etc.
Duration : Initially for 3 years
Key Research Areas : The proposal submitted must address one or more major verticals of the following research aspects :
Vertical I : Plant and Agricultural Resources : Focus should be on specific crops of importance to the region from ecological, economic and cultural significance. The crops identified as important for the region may include rice, apple, mango, Jackfruit, Jamun, Potato, Guava and underutilized crops such as: Ginger, and Turmeric, Garcinia, Kachai Lemon (Citrus jambhiri), Bay leaf (Cinnamon tamala), Prunus (Prunusnepalensis), Kokum (Garcinia indica) and King chilli (Capsicum chinense), Ciccaacida, Cucurbits, Dillenia indica, Pineapple, Tea, Orange, Banana, Wheat, Maize etc. In these crops advanced biotechnological tools should be employed for conservation of unique germplasm and their genetic improvement.
Vertical II : Insect and Animal Resources : The focus may be on insects under consumption as traditional medicine in Northeast India like Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Odonata, Lepidoptera, Optra, etc. Interventions may be undertaken for enhancing fisheries production in the region. Fish varieties that can be taken up for the study may include Rohu, Catla, minor carps, exotic major carps, Mahseer, puthi, eels, catfish etc. Moreover, focus should be on important animal resources of the region for breed improvement and contributing to the economics of the region such as cattle, yak, mithun, pigs, goats, chicken, duck etc.
Vertical III : Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Including Nutraceuticals, Phyto- Pharmaceuticals, etc.)
a. Proposals on most significant research leads available from medicinal plants of the Region for developing phytopharmaceutical drugs as per DCGI norms. Proposals may be formulated based on assessment of TRL levels.
b. Proposals on mass multiplication of priority plants such as Gaultheria (winter green), bamboos (as source of Vanshlochan), Swertiachiraita, Nardostachysjatamansi, Valerianawallichii, Coptisteeta (as source of berberin) may have clear focus for training the community.
c. Value-addition in selected aromatic plants of NE Region such as Agarwood, Sugandhmantri, Patchouli and Citronella etc. for various novel applications in cosmetics, food and health (aroma therapy) is expected.
d. Evaluation and assessment of unique local bioresources of North East Region for developing phytopharmaceuticals. Some of the priority plants may be : Black ginger (Kaempferiaparviflora), Litseacubeba, Paris polyphylla, Homalomenaaromatica, Perillafrutescens, etc.
e. Development of nutraceutical products (for wellness and health preservation) from unexplored medicinal plants of NE Region.
f. Apart from the ones mentioned above, studies may be taken up of wild edible greens of Northeast India such as Fiddlehead fern (Dhekia), Malabar spinach (Basella rubra), centella (Centella asiatica), Paederia foetida (Bhedailota), mustard green (lai paat), Mesua ferrea (Nahor) etc.
Vertical IV : Microbial Resources
The proposals should focus on identification of beneficial microorganisms of significant use either in industrial application or local use by the communities for developing nutritionally relevant formulations.
Vertical V : Environmental sciences, eco-restoration, Sustainable waste management and Bioenergy
This vertical emphasizes on the efforts in the region on the critical need to balance development with ecological preservation, address climate change, and restore degraded land and water through strategies like promoting native species, managing water resources, implementing sustainable agriculture, and involving local communities. The major challenges that should be taken into consideration is the region's extreme fragility, need for region- specific, context-based solutions that also acknowledge the climate changes, land degradation, water scarcity, etc. Focus should be on Sustainable waste management and improved biomass valorisation to support clean energy goals and reduce waste. Studies can be taken up for: Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Lecanicillium, hydrogen producing bacteria, Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila, Brevibacterium sp., Brucella sp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Chlorella sp., Chlamydomonas sp., Botryococcus brunni, Microcystis aeruginosa, celluloytic microbes, keratinolytic microbes, Bioprocessing for Converting Natural Gas into Liquid Fuels, Biosorbants, oil recovery technology, etc.
Who can apply?
Scientists/Researchers working on regular positions in recognized Research Institutions/Govt. Colleges/Academic Institutions/Universities of NER, India and other parts of the India (only in collaboration with NER Scientists as the Main PIs) having relevant research experiences on the proposed area of research, and desirous of undertaking research activities as enumerated above can submit proposals in this Call. The relevant research experiences must be evidenced through high quality research publications in the SCI indexed journals.
• Investigators with 05 ongoing DBT-funded projects, whether they are Pl or Co-PI (wherever he or she is receiving the funds), will be ineligible to submit the proposal.
• No fresh proposal may be considered for funding, if relevant documents for final settlement of accounts (FSA) of the earlier DBT supported completed project is pending >1 years.
• The research proposals may be single institution and/or multi-institution involving collaborations either within the NER institution(s) and/or with institutions/organizations outside NER. Involvement of NER institution(s)/organization(s) is mandatory and the “Centre of gravity” of the research activity should remain in Northeast India.
• For multi-institution proposals involving collaborators from institutions outside NER, more than 50% of the total project budget should be strictly allocated to the NER institute(s).
• In case of Government agency, submission of information / undertaking about Zero balance Subsidiary Account (ZBSA), no pending Utilization Certificate. implementation of EAT module of PFMS, compliance of data submission in IBDC portal, Copy of DSIR certificate, Non-Availability / Justification of requested equipment; quotations in respect of purchase of the equipment etc. shall be mandatory.
• In case of Non-Government / Not-for-Profit Institutes, in addition to the above- mentioned documents, they shall also need to submit proof of establishment under the Indian Statute, Copy of Certificate of Registration under Society Registration Act, Memorandum of Association, Details of registration in NITI Aayog 'NGO Darpan' portal, Copy of DSIR-SIRO certificate, and Annual Audited Account Statements for the last three financial years.
• The institution must possess the basic and relevant infrastructure necessary to achieve the objectives or the proposed project. Proposals must be complete in all aspects.
• The manpower in the proposals shall be preferably proposed as per DST guidelines or as per approved guidelines of ICMR/ICAR/other Government agencies / Government autonomous institutions.
• A flowchart/schematic illustration explaining the concept or methodology of the proposed scientific research studies along with role of the partnering institutions must be submitted along with proposal.
• Statutory requirements/norms/guidelines/procedures need to be attached/referred as and when necessary.
• The proposal must be forwarded by the executive authority of the institution, and the host institution should undertake the overall responsibility of implementing the project that includes following of relevant statutory requirements/norms/guidelines/procedures.
• Private Profit making agencies / Industries / Start-ups will not be eligible for applying under this program.
• Incomplete applications and those which do not fulfil eligibility criteria will not be considered for evaluation.
Mode of Selection : The investigators from the recognized Indian organizations are encouraged to submit the proposals. The short listing, screening and selection of proposals will be done as per the DBT norms and will be based on the eligibility criteria, competence of the PIs and scientific merit of the submitted proposal(s).
How to Apply?
Interested and eligible researchers should submit proposals online through DBT electronic project management system, “eProMIS‟ (dbtepromis.nic.in/Login.aspx) under the “Submit Proposal under Calls” selecting the area, “NER Programme”.
The following steps may be followed while submitting the proposal in eProMIS:
Submit proposal ------>Submit proposal under call ------>Submit project under various DBT calls for Proposals ------>Call for Proposals under the “Himalayan Bio-resource Mission Programme” of the North Eastern Region ------>Apply
Note : While submitting a proposal, if the required information is not fully entered or remains partially filled, the proposal will automatically be saved in Draft mode. In such cases, please click on the “half filled proposal” to complete and submit it, instead of applying again. In case of any technical difficulties in the eProMIS portal, please contact eProMIS portal administrator in the email ID: epromis.dbt@nic.in
DBT Proposals : More Info | Apply Online
