Convener News Desk
New Delhi, Dec 30: Ten winning solutions of the November 2025 edition of the D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge were felicitated on Tuesday at an event organised at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi.
An official spokesperson of the union ministry of Science and Technology said the winning teams have been awarded a cash prize of ₹1 lakh each and will be eligible to submit a full proposal to the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) within three months for a Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) grant of up to ₹25 lakh to convert their design ideas into proof of concept.
The D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge is a year-long national initiative launched by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024. The challenge aims to empower youth-led innovation in biotechnology, engineering and digital technologies to address contemporary societal challenges.
The BioE3 policy seeks to strengthen bio-manufacturing and build a green, clean and self-reliant India while contributing to the goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Spokesperson said the initiative was Launched by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh in line with the Prime Minister’s call for youth participation. He said the challenge has two categories — one for school students from Classes 6 to 12 hosted on the MyGov Innovate portal, and another open to all Indian citizens hosted on the BRIC website. The challenge opens on the first day of every month and will continue until October 2026.
For the November 2025 window, a total of 852 proposals were received from across the country. An expert committee evaluated the submissions through a blinded review process, masking the identity and affiliation of applicants.
The felicitation ceremony was presided over by Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Director General of BRIC and Chairman of BIRAC, who presented the awards to the winners.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Gokhale said the initiative was designed to encourage grassroots innovation and nurture future-ready biotech entrepreneurs. He said the D.E.S.I.G.N for BioE3 Challenge was a key component of the implementation of the BioE3 policy and urged young innovators, faculty members, startups and citizens to actively participate.
“India’s bioeconomy will be shaped by young minds who dare to design the future,” he said, adding that the DBT ecosystem remains committed to supporting youth-led responsible innovation.
Senior officials from DBT and BIRAC, along with faculty and students from ICGEB and various BRIC institutions, attended the event.
The ten winning teams included innovators from institutions such as BRIC-NIAB Hyderabad, BRIC-NII New Delhi, BRIC-THSTI Faridabad and BRIC-NIBMG West Bengal, as well as independent innovators and startup representatives. (PIB)
Comments are closed.