Advanced Research Translation (ART) Program
- R&D
- Translational Research Project
- Advanced Research Translation (ART) Program
Advanced Research Translation (ART) Program
1. Background
About BITS BioCyTiH Foundation
BITS BioCyTiH Foundation (BBF) is a Section 8 company established by Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani and funded under NM-ICPS program of DST, Government of India. It is a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) focused on “Bio-Cyber Physical Systems (Bio-CPS)”.
BBF’s vision is “To foster research, innovation, skill development and training through mentoring and nurturing startups and entrepreneurs, and industry & academia collaborations to undertake cutting edge research and provide affordable solutions in the areas of healthcare, agriculture, water and environment”. The Foundation is spread across the three campuses of BITS Pilani (Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad) (https://www.biocytih.co.in/)
About Bio-CPS
Bio-Cyber Physical Systems (Bio-CPS) is an interdisciplinary field that synergistically combines principles from biology, electronics, computer science, and related disciplines to offer transformative solutions. Employing a diverse array of cutting-edge technologies like IoT, ML, AI, AR, Smart Sensors etc.
2. Advanced Research Translation (ART) program.
The BITS BioCyTiH Foundation has introduced the Advanced Research Translation (ART) Program as a component of the Technology Development vertical.
ART offers crucial support for translational research that revolves around advanced technology and market-ready products. Its primary aim is to expedite the transformation of academic research into viable commercial products and technologies. These translational initiatives may either focus on Bio-CPS or incorporate a strategy to seamlessly integrate a Bio-CPS component into the project for value enhancement. All these efforts are geared towards effectively addressing significant technical and financial challenges within the healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sectors.
We invite research groups, scientists, faculty members, industry professionals, and institutions to submit proposals for translational research projects. Collaborative projects are strongly encouraged and preferred. (Collaboration between University & BITS Faculty, University & Industry/Startup, Research Establishments/Scientist & Academia, etc. Preference will be given to collaborations with BITS Faculty/Industry)
Why Should you Apply?
- Obtain targeted funding to progress research with demonstrated proof-of-concept from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to higher
- Refine your prototype into a market-validated Minimum Viable Product (MVP) through targeted iterative development.
- Enable IP driven research spin off/ startup for technology commercialization.
Application areas supported under ART program:
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Environment
- Water
Examples: Biosensors, Precision Agriculture, Water purification, Digital MedTech, IoT, etc.
3. Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a regular position within an academic institute or a government research establishment (ISRO, CSIR, ICAR, IARI, DRDO, etc ).
- The Principal Investigator (PI) should have the necessary access to labs (for research, testing, fabrication, etc.) to conduct the proposed translational project.
- The proposals should meet the following technical criteria at the time of application:
- The technology/product should be at a mature stage, poised for commercialization.
- Demonstrable technology.
- Feasibility to meet market requirements is a must.
- Obtaining regulatory approvals is desirable.
4. Funding support
Funds: Up to INR 75.00 Lakhs
Budget Planning
| Category | Allowed Limit |
|---|---|
| Consumables | Maximum 30% of project cost |
| Outsourced Services | Maximum 30% of project cost |
| Manpower | Maximum 25% of project cost |
| Equipment | Maximum 5% of project cost |
| Travel | Maximum up to ₹50,000 |
| Overhead | Maximum 5% of project cost |
Duration of support: 15 months (extendable on merit)
Application deadline: June 15th, 2025
Key Outcome
Key Outcome
- Deployable technical solution with promise of impact.
- Ownership of the new intellectual property (IP) will be shared with BITS BioCyTiH foundation (BBF).
- The technology transfer will be facilitated by BBF, and a mutually agreed fee or royalty will be applicable.
- In the event of a startup emerging from this project, BBF should be offered equity, and the startups are encouraged to avail of incubation services offered by BBF.
- Selection Process
The selection process will be competitive. It will be based on the quality of proposal, online presentation, and necessary due diligence.
Proposal Preparation and Submission Guidelines
| 1 | Submit the proposal on the Google form | Form Link |
| 2 | Preview of the form | Preview Link |
Keep following documents ready before filling the google form
| # | Document Name | Download |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Image of Proof of Concept / Prototype / Product * | |
| 2 | Annexure 1: Milestones & Budget * | Download |
| 3 | Proof of regular employment of PI * | |
| 4 | Existing partnership details (e.g., Memorandum of Understanding) | |
| 5 | Clinical trial evidence | |
| 6 | Product certifications | |
| 7 | Licensing deal | |
| 8 | Declaration * | Download |
* required documents
Max size of individual document 10MB
Contact Information
For any queries mail to info@biocytih.co.in or sso@biocytih.co.in with subject line ART 5 Application
For Further inquiries please visit our website https://www.biocytih.co.in/
| Title of the Project | Name Of PI | Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Development of Honeycomb Non-Timber Paper Panels: Lab to Pilot Scale for sustainable Light Weight Structure | Dr. Kavya Dashora | IIT Delhi |
| Wearable Device to prevent freezing of gait in people living in Parkinson’s Disease – A feasibility & efficacy study | Dr. Arunmozhimaran Elavarasi | AIIMS Delhi |
| Title Of Project | Name Of PI | Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Water Desalination During Electricity Production via Electrochemical Water Formation | Prof. Muhammed Musthafa | IISER Pune |
| Validation of Portable Methanol Detector Developed by Dielectric Sensing Technology | Arnab Hazra | BITS-Pilani, Pilani Campus |
| Auto-bioluminescent Plants for the Outdoor and Indoor Environment (weSHINE: Without Electricity – Sustainable Horticultural Illumination for Natural Environment) | Nishith Gupta | BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus |
| AI-Driven Greenhouse Farming: Smart Monitoring and Robotic Automation for Optimized Crop Management | Dr. A. Sridevi | Adithya Institute of Technology |
| Title Of Project | Name Of PI | Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Design, Development, and Clinical trials of Tooth colored Alumina Dental Braces set | Prof. Prosenjit Das | IISC, Bangalore |
| Personalized Sleep Solutions for Elderly through Smart Mattress Sensors | Prof. Parikshit Sahatiya | BITS Hyderabad |
| Title Of Project | Name Of PI |
|---|---|
| Progression from a well-validated prototype of a non-invasive, blood-free RBC indices and morphology detector towards a product in the market | Dr. Sangeeta N. Kale, DIAT, Pune |
| Multiplexing for easy and affordable Detection of Myeloid Leukemia (CML & AML-M2) | Dr Sunita Jetly, Univ. Delhi |
| Multi-Modal Sensor System for Prosthetic Hand with Embedded Intelligence | Prof. Nayan M. Kakoty, Dept. ECE, Tezpur Univ. |
| Field portable bright field microscopic system for real-time air quality monitoring of PM2.5 with simultaneous shape, size, and concentration measurement | Prof. D.S. Mehta, Dept. Physics, IIT Delhi |
| Design of Handheld ECG Monitor for Early Detection of Cardio-Vascular Diseases | Dr. Bishnu Prasad Das, IIT Roorkee |