E-YUVA Scheme: BIRAC’s E-YUVA Fellows (for under graduate students)

Description
The scheme “Empowering Youth for Undertaking Value Added Innovative Translational Research E-YUVA ” is started by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council BIRAC to promote a culture of applied research and need-oriented societal or industry entrepreneurial innovation among young students and researchers. The scheme provides funding support through fellowship and research grant , technical and business mentoring, exposure to bio incubation model, orientation to an entrepreneurial culture, etc. to students at various levels including undergraduates, post-graduates, and post-doctoral. The scheme provides support under the following two categories: • BIRAC’s Innovation Fellows for post graduates and above • BIRAC’s E-YUVA Fellows for under graduate students BIRAC’s E-YUVA Fellows for under graduate students : BIRAC’s E-YUVA Fellows shall apply as a team and pursue their research work at their College/University labs and will also be allowed access to facilities at EYC and EYC Knowledge Partners as and when required. It will be mandatory for all the fellows to spend 3-4 weeks at EYC/EYC Knowledge Partner during their fellowship period. Areas covered: BIRAC encourages interdisciplinary proposals from any stream that can help the conversion of innovative ideas into biotech products and technologies in any of the above fields. Nature of Proposals supported: Proposal should: - be original - apply interdisciplinary knowledge - aim at the development of innovative Biotech products/technologies with societal/commercial potential Number and Duration of Fellowship: - Each EYC will support up to 5 teams with upto 5 students each every year. - Fellowship is provided for a period of 12 months. Expected Deliverable: - Create a culture of innovation at the Undergraduate student level in academic Institutions. - Capacity building at the UG level - Opportunity creation and access for Biotech Entrepreneurship facilitated by BIRAC

Benefits
• **BIRAC’s E-YUVA Fellows will receive a quarterly stipend and annual research grant as mentioned below:**
• Quarterly Stipend: INR 7,500/- per quarter per student of the team
• Annual research grant: INR 2,50,000/- per team
• EYCs, EYC knowledge partners, and BIRAC provide continuous mentoring support to fellows, including but not limited to Technical Mentoring, IP Support, Legal Support, Networking and Outreach, Training, Regulatory Advice, Business Mentoring, and Fundraising.
• **Note 01:** Stipend is released quarterly to the student’s account, subject to the Mentor’s approval.
• **Note 02:** The annual research grant is released in two installments (1st installment: 75%; 2nd installment: 25%) to the Institute’s account and is managed by the mentor/guide.

Eligibility Criteria
1. Indian students from Indian Institutes/colleges who are pursuing under graduation in any domain should apply as a team.
2. A team should comprise a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 Indian students from Indian Institutes/colleges pursuing under graduation in any domain.
3. Teams with students from different disciplines are encouraged.
4. One team can have students from the same/different colleges/institutes.
5. The team should be supported by a mentor/guide.
6. **Note 01:** BIRAC’s E-YUVA Fellows shall pursue their research work at their College/University labs and will also be allowed access to facilities at EYC and EYC Knowledge Partners as and when required.
7. **Note 02:** It will be mandatory for all the fellows to spend 3-4 weeks at EYC/EYC Knowledge Partner during their fellowship period.

Required Documents
• Identity proof i.e. Aadhaar Card, PAN Card etc.
• Educational Qualification Certificates
• Other relevant documents

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “E-YUVA Scheme”?
A: The scheme "Empowering Youth for Undertaking Value Added Innovative Translational Research (E-YUVA)" was started by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) to promote a culture of applied research and need-oriented (societal or industry) entrepreneurial innovation among young students and researchers. The scheme provides funding support (through fellowship and research grant), technical and business mentoring, exposure to bio incubation model, orientation to an entrepreneurial culture, etc. to students at various levels including undergraduates, post-graduates, and post-doctoral.

Q: What is the “E-YUVA Centers (EYCs)”?
A: E-Yuva Centers are housed within the University/Institute set-up. It acts as an anchor and extends requisite support and mentoring to students. Each EYC has a BIRAC-supported pre-incubation space which offers infrastructure and equipment for basic research and experimentation by selected students.

Q: Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
A: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)

Q: What is the “BIRAC’s E-YUVA Fellowship”?
A: The "BIRAC's E-YUVA Fellowship" is the scheme a category under E-YUVA Scheme. Under the scheme, a team of students who are pursuing under graduation in any domain can apply to pursue their research work at their College/University labs and will also be allowed access to facilities at EYC and EYC Knowledge Partners as and when required. It will be mandatory for all the fellows to spend 3-4 weeks at EYC/EYC Knowledge Partner during their fellowship period.

Q: What are the areas covered under this fellowship category?
A: BIRAC encourages interdisciplinary proposals from any stream that can help conversion of innovative ideas into biotech products and technologies in any of the above fields.

Q: What is the nature of proposals?
A: * Proposal should be original.
* Proposal should apply interdisciplinary knowledge.
* The Proposal should aim at the development of innovative Biotech products/technologies with societal/commercial potential.

Q: How many fellows can be at Each EYC?
A: Each EYC will support up to 5 teams with upto 5 students each every year.

Q: What is the duration of fellowship?
A: Fellowship is provided for a period of 12 months.

Q: Who is eligible to apply under the scheme?
A: Indian students from Indian Institutes/colleges who are pursuing under graduation in any domain should apply as a team.

Q: What is the maximum number of students who can be in a team?
A: A team should comprise a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 Indian students from Indian Institutes/colleges pursuing under graduation in any domain.

Q: What is nature of support provided to fellows under the scheme?
A: BIRAC's E-YUVA Fellows will receive a quarterly stipend and annual research grant as mentioned below:
* Quarterly Stipend: INR 7,500/- per quarter per student of the team
* Annual research grant: INR 2,50,000/- per team

Q: Are the students received stipend monthly?
A: No, the stipend is released quarterly to the student's account, subject to the Mentor's approval.

Q: How will research grant release?
A: The annual research grant is released in two installments (1st installment: 75%; 2nd installment: 25%) to the Institute's account and is managed by the mentor/guide.

Q: How can an applicant submit the proposals under the scheme?
A: Any one team member can create a user account on BIRAC's website on behalf of the team followed by filling up of online application form. (https://birac.nic.in/)