E-YUVA Scheme: BIRAC's E-YUVA Fellows (for Undergraduate Students)

BIRAC has been running E-YUVA Scheme (Empowering Youth for Undertaking Value Added Innovative Translational Research) to help undergraduate students turn their creative ideas into real biotech projects. Selected student teams get a quarterly stipend of ₹7,500 per student and an annual research grant of ₹2,50,000 per team, along with expert mentorship and lab access.

Applications for E-YUVA Fellows are invited through national level calls on the official BIRAC portal. As of August 2026, there is no active call on the official website, so student teams should keep checking the official E-YUVA page and contact the nearest E-YUVA Center (EYC) to know when the next call opens.

E-YUVA Scheme: BIRAC's E-YUVA Fellows (for Undergraduate Students)

E-YUVA (Empowering Youth for Undertaking Value Added Innovative Translational Research) is a central scheme started by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology and run by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). The scheme helps young researchers try new areas in biotechnology and turns academic projects into professional entrepreneurial ventures.

As an E-YUVA Fellow, your team works in your own university labs while getting access to E-YUVA Center (EYC) facilities. Every fellow needs to spend 3 to 4 weeks at an EYC or an EYC Knowledge Partner institute during the 12 month fellowship period.

BIRAC supports two main categories of innovation fellows under this scheme. This program focuses on undergraduate students who are ready to make a mark in the biotech industry with original and interdisciplinary ideas.

Key Information

Benefits

Selected teams get financial and professional support to take their research forward. BIRAC provides a quarterly stipend and an annual research grant so the project stays on track.

Apart from the money, fellows get technical and business mentorship, IP support, legal advice and networking opportunities. The stipend is released every quarter after the mentor approves the progress. The annual research grant goes to the institution's account in two parts (75% initially and 25% later) and is managed by the team's guide. Any IP created during the fellowship stays with the student innovators.

BIRAC also runs other support schemes for young researchers, such as the Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme, which gives early stage funding to scientists and startups. Students looking for more options can check the Central Government schemes list for students.

Eligibility

The eligibility rules for E-YUVA Fellows are simple and open to students from any stream. The main points are given below.

• Team size: your team should have up to 5 Indian students, and teams with members from different subjects are encouraged.
• Course: all team members must be pursuing an undergraduate degree at an Indian institute or college.
• Mentor: your team needs a designated mentor or guide to look after the project.
• E-Cell: the team applies through the E-Cell or Innovation Council of a college or institute, and each member's college should have one.

For example, if Rahul and two friends, Anjali and Vikram, are engineering students, they can form a team and apply together as long as their institute has a registered E-Cell or Innovation Council.

Application Process

Applications for E-YUVA fellowships are invited at the national level and submitted online through the BIRAC portal. As of August 2026, there is no active call, so keep checking the official website for the next announcement. Once a call is open, follow the steps given below.

STEP 1 - One team member creates an account on the official BIRAC registration page and fills in the details for the whole team. The application form asks the team to select up to 3 choices of E-YUVA Centers.

STEP 2 - After submission, the application goes to the respective EYC or E-Cell for an eligibility check and initial review.

STEP 3 - If the team is shortlisted, it presents the proposal before a Technical Expert Committee along with BIRAC nominees at the EYC.

STEP 4 - Once selected, the team signs an agreement with the EYC and starts the 12 month fellowship.

BIRAC has published a step by step guide for the E-YUVA application, and the mentor needs to submit an authorisation letter and undertaking in the prescribed format.

Documents

Keep the following documents ready before starting the online application:

• Valid identity proof such as an Aadhaar Card or PAN Card for every team member.
• Educational qualification certificates of all team members.
• Authorisation letter and undertaking by the mentor in the prescribed format.
• Any other documents asked during the online registration process.

References

Official Guidelines | Official Website | Register or Apply | EYC Contact Details (July 2026)

FAQ's

What is E-YUVA Scheme?

E-YUVA (Empowering Youth for Undertaking Value Added Innovative Translational Research) promotes applied research and innovation among students. It provides the funding and mentoring required to turn student projects into real biotech products.

Who manages this fellowship?

The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is the primary implementing agency for this scheme.

How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship is provided for a fixed duration of 12 months.

Are stipends provided every month?

No, the stipend is given on a quarterly basis, provided the mentor approves the work.

Can I apply as a solo student?

No, the scheme requires you to apply as a team of up to 5 undergraduate students.

Is the E-YUVA application open right now?

As of August 2026, there is no active call on the official BIRAC website. Applications are invited through national calls, so keep checking the official E-YUVA page and contact the nearest EYC for the next call date.