AI SummarySITARE-Appreciation Grant is a running scheme from BIRAC for undergraduate students who want hands-on biotech research training. The scheme sends selected students to Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) residential workshops and gives up to ₹1 lakh to the best project ideas. Applications are accepted online whenever BIRAC keeps a Call for Proposals open, so students need to watch the official website for the active call.
SITARE-Appreciation Grant is one part of the bigger SITARE scheme run by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), which comes under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology. Every year the scheme runs 3 residential workshops, and from each batch of 30-40 students, 10 are picked for a grant of up to ₹1 lakh each.
SITARE Appreciation Grant - Introduction
SITARE stands for Students Innovations for Translation & Advancement of Research Explorations. BIRAC runs this scheme to support student projects in biotechnology and push young students toward translational research, which means turning lab ideas into real products and technologies that fill unmet needs. The scheme has two main parts: SITARE-Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award Grant (SITARE-GYTI) and SITARE-Appreciation Grant.
SITARE-GYTI supports postgraduate and doctoral students. Under this part, 15 student projects get funding support of up to ₹15 lakhs each, and the selected students are recognized as BIRAC's SITARE-GYTI beneficiaries. The call for SITARE-GYTI comes once a year, usually announced in August or September, and stays open for 45-60 days.
SITARE-Appreciation Grant is the part made for undergraduate students. It organizes Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS) workshops, which are residential programs of 3-4 weeks where students get hands-on technical training and expert mentorship for identifying research problems. The tentative months for BIIS workshops are February, June and December. Out of 30-40 students per workshop, 10 students are selected and provided a grant support of up to ₹1 lakh each. These recipients earn the title of BIRAC's SITARE-Appreciation beneficiaries.
BIIS is a national level program that provides up to 4 weeks of residential training to up to 40 students in each session. The work done by students during BIIS is checked on the last day of the school, and the outstanding studies (up to 10 per BIIS) are identified for further support of ₹1 lakh each as SITARE-Appreciation Award Grant. The grantees are expected to continue their research either at their home institution or at the SITARE Partner's lab, with mentoring support from the partner.
BIIS also gives students exposure to bio incubation centers and detailed technical sessions. The workshop mainly focuses on students from Tier II and Tier III cities and aspirational districts, so that grassroots ideas get proper support. The action research areas covered in the workshops include pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, soil microbiology, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and medical devices.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | SITARE-Appreciation Grant |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Skills & Employment |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Nodal Department | Department of Biotechnology |
| Implementing Agency | Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council |
Benefits
Students who join this scheme get access to the Biotech Innovation Ignition School (BIIS), which offers 3-4 weeks of hands-on technical training and professional mentorship.
Financial Support: Out of 30-40 participants per workshop, 10 students receive a grant of up to ₹1 lakh to support their research efforts.
Official Recognition: Selected students earn the status of a BIRAC SITARE-Appreciation beneficiary, which adds value to their academic profile. Students who want similar BIRAC support for their careers can also check the E-YUVA Fellows scheme for undergraduate students and the Biotechnology Ignition Grant scheme.
Frequency: The program conducts 3 workshops every year, usually in February, June and December.
Note: You are expected to continue your research at your home institution or a SITARE partner's lab. Mentors will provide ongoing guidance.
| Expense Category | Description |
| Travel | Class II Rail fare and local travel |
| Accommodation | Hostel facilities provided during the workshop |
| Food | Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included |
| Logistics | Shuttle facility from hostel to project site |
SITARE Partners also organize expert talks from organizations like TiE or management schools and conduct educational tours to nearby incubation centers to further broaden your perspective.
Eligibility
To apply for this scheme, you must meet the following criteria:
- You should be an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelors program in any discipline.
- You must provide a valid ID issued by your college or university.
- You can get only one BIIS workshop training opportunity, though SITARE-Appreciation Grantees may attend additional workshops upon recommendation.
Note: Preference is given to students from Tier II and Tier III cities and aspirational districts in India. For example, if Anjali is a student from a smaller town in an aspirational district, her application will receive special consideration for the workshop.
Application Process
Applications are submitted online only during an active Call for Proposals. BIRAC announces the call on its official website, and the current SITARE Partner, SRISTI Ahmedabad, also shares the details. Follow these steps to register:
STEP 1 - Visit the official BIRAC website and go to the Call for Proposals section to check whether the SITARE-Appreciation Grant call is open.
STEP 2 - If you are a new user, complete the self-registration process. A password will be emailed to you, which you can update later.
STEP 3 - Log in to your account and navigate to the SITARE-BIIS program link.
STEP 4 - Select the active call for proposals and submit your application with a Statement of Purpose (SoP).
Your selection relies on your Statement of Purpose (SoP). Make sure your submission highlights:
| Selection Criteria | Weightage |
| Originality | 40% |
| Clarity of Purpose | 20% |
| Implementation Plan | 15% |
| Potential Impact | 15% |
Selected students will receive notification 3 weeks before the workshop begins.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready for your application:
- Valid student ID card from your university
- Aadhaar Card or PAN Card
- Educational certificates
- Proof of residence
- Any extra documents showing your project ideas
SITARE Partner and Contact Details
Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (SRISTI), Ahmedabad is the current SITARE Partner for the Appreciation Grant. Students can contact SRISTI for workshop related queries at SRISTI, AES Boys Hostel Campus, Near Gujarat University Library & SBI Bank, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009, Gujarat. Email: info@sristi.org, Phone: 079-27913293, 27912792. For BIIS specific queries, students can email biis@sristi.org or call 9427939170.
References
BIRAC Call for Proposals - SITARE Appreciation Grant
SITARE on India Science and Technology Portal
FAQ's
What is SITARE Scheme?
SITARE or Students Innovations for Translation & Advancement of Research Explorations is a BIRAC-led scheme supporting biotechnology student projects to turn new ideas into practical solutions.
What is SITARE-Appreciation Grant?
It is a component of the program offering 3-4 weeks of hands-on training at BIIS, where 10 students per workshop receive up to ₹1 lakh to pursue their research.
Who manages the implementation?
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) implements this scheme, with SRISTI Ahmedabad working as the current SITARE Partner.
Are travel and accommodation covered?
Yes, the program covers Class II rail fare, local travel, hostel staying, all meals, and internal shuttle services.
When are the workshops typically held?
Workshops are generally scheduled for February, June, and December.
How much grant does SITARE-GYTI give?
SITARE-GYTI supports postgraduate and doctoral students with funding of up to ₹15 lakhs per project, and the call comes once a year.