The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has announced a Call for Proposals on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Algorithm, Product, or Software Development” in the Biotechnology domain.
This funding opportunity aims to accelerate biotechnology research, innovation, and industrial growth through the use of AI-based solutions.
Eligible Researchers have to submit research proposals online (http://dbtepromis.nic.in/login.aspx) by 15 February 2026.
About the DBT AI Call 2026
With the rapid growth of biological and clinical data, there is a strong need for AI-driven tools to improve research efficiency, prediction accuracy, and decision-making in biotechnology. The main aim of this call is to apply Artificial Intelligence to resolve the biotechnological challenges, enhancing the research & development capability, boosting the industrial growth, as well as supporting the start-up ecosystem.
This Call is open to Indian Scientists/Faculties including Computer Scientists, Engineers, either alone or as a team involving the Industrial partner(s).
| Funding Agency | Department of Biotechnology (DBT) |
| Funding Duration | 03 years |
| Last Date | 15 February 2026 |
| Start Date | 01 January 2026 |
Priority Areas
Proposals should focus on one or more of the following priority areas:
- AI algorithms for large biological datasets
- AI-based drug discovery and target identification using biotech data
- AI models for toxicity and adverse reaction prediction of biopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals
- Mutation impact prediction for disease association (SNPs and variants)
- Protein design and engineering with improved stability or new functions
- AI-based vaccine and antibody engineering
- Host–pathogen interaction prediction models
- AI solutions for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prediction and management
- AI-based biological pathway and network analysis
- AI tools or Large Language Models (LLMs) for biotechnology education at the school or university level
Eligibility Criteria for Proposal Submission
This call for proposals is open to all Indian applicants holding a regular position in any Indian academic or scientific research institution (government or private).
Institutions must be DSIR-SIRO recognized.
There should be at least one co-investigator from each participating institute.
It is mandatory to submit all data/ secondary data, if generated under the project, to IBDC; hence, a data sharing plan has to be submitted along with the proposal.
Proposal Selection Criteria
The following category of proposals will be given preference:
a) industry demand-driven projects
b) multidisciplinary and inter-institutional
c) collaborative with clear objectives
d) having deliverable potential within three years
e) proposing national interest, e.g., proposing towardsthe achievement of sustainable development
goals
f) Within the scope of the Theoretical and Computational Biology Programme
Submission Deadline
The last to submit proposals is 15 February, 2026.
Note: Applicants are requested to submit their proposals well in advance of the last date of submission since there will be no extension of the last date for submission of the proposals.
Download the Official Notification
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