The D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge is an initiative under the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy framework, aimed at inspiring innovative, sustainable, and scalable biotechnological solutions driven by young students and researchers of the country with an overarching theme of “Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES”.
About BioE3 Policy: Biotechnology for Economy, Environment s Employment
On 24th August, 2024, the Union Cabinet under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi approved BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy, a framework that creates a convergence between biotech, engineering and digitalization for building a more equitable and sustainable future through Biomanufacturing. BioE3 policy envisages green, clean, prosperous and Atmanirbhar Bharat and putting the country well ahead of its net zero carbon emission target Viksit Bharat @2047.
- Goal: Unite fragmented efforts to fast-track innovation-to-technology.
- Objective: Enable adoption of advanced technologies for efficient, sustainable, and scalable bio-based products.
Key Focus Areas
- Research s innovation for climate change and decarbonization.
- Stronger domestic scaling up, pilot and pre-commercial biomanufacturing capacity.
- High-performance processes leveraging living systems.
- Promotion of bio-based products in food, health, agribiology, marine & space.
Impact
- BioE3 sets an ambitious roadmap for technological leadership, reduced carbon footprint, and accelerated growth across six thematic sectors of biomanufacturing
D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3: “Empowering Youth to Solve Critical Issues of their TIMES”
Applications under the present RFP are invited from school students (Classes VI–XII) across India to conceptualize innovative designs and solutions using microbes, molecules, and biotechnology to address real-world challenges. Students are expected to display their basic understanding of the BioE3 Policy and its possible implementation through imaginative, creative and concise videos. Participants are encouraged to highlight the novelty, feasibility, and potential contribution of their ideas towards a sustainable, clean, and self-reliant future for our country. A few examples of challenges for video submission are provided here.
- D- Define real needs: or the unmet needs in the economy, environment or employment
- E- Evidence first: User research + literature + ground realities (farmers, MSMEs, public health)
- S- Sustainability by design: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), zero-waste principles, green chemistry, renewable energy use
- I- Integration: Bio X digital X engineering X policy X finance
- G- Go-to-Market: Government procurement, farmer cooperatives, public health adoption
- N – Net-positive impact: Employment indices, women s youth participation, equitable access
The Challenge: To Propel BioE3 for safe-by-default biological innovations across the sectors and sub-sectors of national priority.
Expected Outcome of BioE3 Challenge
The D.E.S.I.G.N for the BioE3 challenge will generate inquisitiveness and excitement in the young students to venture into challenges of their TIMES and propose novel solutions for India’s sustainable, equitable, and self-reliant growth.
Awards:-
- Certificates of Merit: The Top 10 winning entries will receive a digital Certificate of Merit signed by the Hon’ble Minister of State (IC) for Science and Technology. All members of each winning team will be individually awarded digitally signed certificates. For example, if a winning team comprises five members, all five members will receive certificates (e.g., 5 team members × 10 winning entries = 50 certificates).
- On the other hand, 20-30 additional participants will be awarded digital certificates of appreciation.
- Selected ideas will be showcased on digital platforms and official portals.
- Winning ideas may also feature in DBT/BIRAC/BRIC’s annual report.
- Selected students may also get access to facilities and resources at BIRAC’s EYUVA/BioNEST incubation centres to further test and validate their ideas.
Deadline:- 20-01-2026
