Do you have bright, innovative ideas in life sciences? Here’s an opportunity to get support to develop that idea into reality.

The second edition of the Grand Challenges Explorations India (GECI) programme 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.

Areas covered

GCE-India has this time included climate change, especially with its predicted implications on health and lifeforms, said 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, said Renu Swarup, Managing Director of BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council).

The GCE-India through the partners will provide funds to implement ideas that have the potential to change the way healthcare is seen in the country and beyond, Deepanwitha told BusinessLine .

The selected ideas will be eligible for an award of ₹50 lakh for 18 months, and a prize of ₹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 and consulting space, which will 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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