Call for Proposals by Indo-Korea Joint Network Centre


Are you interested in research? The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea are inviting research proposals in the field of Biotechnology through Joint Network Centre. Eligible and interested candidates can submit their proposal. Read this article to know the full details of the programme.

About JNC

The Joint Network Centre (JNC) is a joint network to carry out research activity by involving Indian and Korean scientists from various institutes and laboratories. This programme facilitates scientists to carry out joint research by taking facilities already available like infrastructure, equipment and funding with the partners on both sides. The main aim of the JNC is to support the implementation of the joint project for research on the thematic area through joint networking. There are lots of chances for the integration of research with that of education by the Network Centre. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India and Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea are inviting research proposals for" Artificial Intelligence utilization in the field of Biotechnology" as a part of this Joint Network Centre.

Perspective Areas

Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India along with the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT)of the Republic of Korea are inviting Indian and Korean research groups to submit proposals for Joint Network Centre in "Artificial Intelligence utilization in the field of Biotechnology".

Activities of the JNC

Following activities are undertaken under the programme:
  • Exchange of Researchers
  • Joint Research
  • Joint Seminar or Workshop (one in India and one in Korea per year)
  • Prototype Development
  • Joint Papers Publication
  • Promotion of pre-commercial R & D activities

Eligibility Criteria

  1. There must be one focal lead coordinator from both countries i.e. India and Korea.
  2. Besides, Focal Coordinators, there should be involvement of a minimum of two Indian and two Korean separate institutional node partners i.e. 3+3 partnership mode. However, the number of node partners may be more than two.
  3. The Focal Coordinator and node partners should either be researchers, scientists, faculties of government/ recognized universities, academic institutes or national research and development laboratories etc.
  4. Industries are also welcomed to participate in this program if they wish to do so, but they will not be considered as either the focal coordinators or node partners. Provided that they will participate with their funding.
  5. It is mandatory that all partners including FC and node partners, to have an intellectual and financial stake in the Joint Centre activities.
  6. It is also essential to provide testimony of existing funding support like details of infrastructure and equipment in the proposal.

Needs of Programme

  • For continuous funding, timely submission of annual scientific and financial reports will be the responsibility of the Focal Coordinators.
  • Technical and administrative coordination of Network Centre will also be done by the Focal Coordinators.
  • Neither Focal Coordinator nor Node Partner should be retired during the Proposal duration.

Availability of Support for Joint Project

Duration of Support: Funding to each selected JNC will be provided for three years.
Continuation of Funding: An annual evaluation will be done by each country for the continuation of funding. Only one Network Centre per research area will be selected for funding.
Funding Support: Expenditure incurred in the project would be borne by the respective country, i.e., for Indian side DBT would support expenditure whereas MSIT would meet the expenditure of the Korean side.
Funding Details: Tentative funding amount for each Network Centre on the Korean side, MSIT's would be approximately 60,000,000 won per year.

On the Indian side of JNC, DBT will provide funding support to Focal Coordinating Indian Institute. Other Indian nodes of the JNC will receive funding through the Focal Indian Institute of the JNC. DBT will provide the following support to each JNC:
  • Research Manpower: One JRF / SRF/ Research Associate for each node (Maximum).
  • Research Expenses: Upto Rs. 5 lakh to each Indian node towards consumables.
  • Joint Workshop& Training School: Every year, financial support for organizing one joint workshop cum hands-on training school each in India and Korea may be provided to the Focal coordinator of the JNC.
  • Exchange Visit Support: Two visits for each node of the JNC each year.
  • Institutional Overhead: Institutional Overhead and contingency support will also be provided.
  • Expenses for Equipment: The participating Indian institutions will incur the expense.

How to Prepare and Submit a Proposal

To prepare a proposal for submission, there must be submitted a common application from Korean and Indian Focal Coordinator. This common application is to be submitted to both DBT and NRF. Language of the common application must be English only. Collection of all the information either technical or financial required for the proposal writing will be the whole responsibility of the Focal coordinator.
For Indian Applicants:
The interested Indian applicants can apply for funding by submitting their proposal and all relevant information to Dr Garima Gupta, Scientist E, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India at her Email ID: garima.g@nic.in
Please note that the complete information is to be sent in a single PDF file only. Format of application is available at the website of DBT, India and can be downloaded from there.
Applicant must send hard copies in triplicate to DBT by the last date of application submission i.e. May 29, 2020 till 6:00
P.M. through proper channel.
For Korean applicants:
A separate application form written in the Korean language is also required to be submitted from Korean applicants' side.
Note: To avoid any delay send application well in advance and proposals received after due date either E-mail or hard copy will not be considered. In case of any postal delay, DBT will not be responsible.
It should be ensured that application with an identical title has been submitted by the Korean Focal Coordinator to NRF by due date/time.
It is also noted that all proposals must be submitted by the deadline, taking into account the time difference between the two countries.

Evaluation of Applications

A peer-review process will be followed for the assessment of all the application received within the prescribed time limit. Thereafter, applications will be referred to an independent advisory panel for consideration and ranking. Those applications, who will achieve a positive ranking, will be considered eligible for funding. A discussion will be held by the respective nodal agencies for a joint selection of successful application by DBT and NRF. Lastly, the decisions made by the India-ROK Joint S&T Committee will be final. Selection of proposals will be done based on the below-mentioned criteria:
  • The proposal must have Scientific merit or Scientific excellence
  • Cooperation aspects between the collaborating nodes
  • Communal development of research through transferring knowledge and skills
  • The capability of the teams to complete the project
  • Expected research outcomes
  • Apparent benefit(s) for both Indian and Korean partners
  • Industrial participation and potential for applied research and product development.

Important Dates

  • Start of Application Submission: March 25, 2020
  • Last date for submission: May 29, 2020
  • Announcement of exchange the submission list: Early June 2020
  • Evaluation: By early August 2020
  • Discussion/Final decision for selection: By the mid-September 2020
  • Contract/Financial support at each side: By the end of September 2020
  • Commencement of the research projects: From 1st October 2020

Contact Details

From DBT, India:
  • Dr Garima Gupta
    Scientist 'E', HRD Division,
    Department of Biotechnology,
    510, 5th Floor, Block 2, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110003
    Phone: 011-24369385
    Email ID: garima.g@nic.in

From MSIT- NRF, Korea:
  • Ms.Jihye Shin
    Senior Researcher
    Asia Cooperation Team
    Center for International Affairs
    National Research Foundation of Korea
    Phone: +82-2-3460-5676
    E-mail ID:sophie1207@nrf.re.kr

For further details, please visit the website of DBT, India.


Comments

No responses found. Be the first to comment...


  • Do not include your name, "with regards" etc in the comment. Write detailed comment, relevant to the topic.
  • No HTML formatting and links to other web sites are allowed.
  • This is a strictly moderated site. Absolutely no spam allowed.
  • Name:
    Email: