The LSRB aims to make India technologically strong by establishing world class cutting edge Life Sciences and technology base to provide Defence and Life Science sectors a decisive edge by equipping them with internationally competitive systems and solutions. The LSRB has instituted a Grants-in-Aid Scheme to encourage and facilitate researchers in design development in Life Sciences and nurture the available research talent and to develop facilities in IITs, universities, higher technological institutes, colleges and other research centers. Project proposal to be submitted in short proposal format to the Member Secretary, LSRB as per the thrust areas of LSRB. Proposal will be sent to the LSRB office with intimation to the Panel Chairman.

Objective:

• To encourage and fund basic and applied research in pertinent scientific disciplines directly relevant to Life science systems needed for future by enabling and supporting emerging talents, particularly in academic and research institutions to create and evolve a potential knowledge-base system applicable to future Life sciences needs of the country.

Steering Committee of LSRB

• The board is assisted by a Steering Committee in Technology forecasting, monitoring/review of large value/multi-disciplinary projects, and supports planning/setting up of Centers of Excellence.
• The Steering Committee also assists the LSRB Board in the formulation of plans and programmes of relevance to the needs of the country in the areas of Life Sciences and related technologies.

Specialist Panels of LSRB

LSRB operates through a Five specialist Panels. The Panels meet periodically to review and recommend new proposals and monitor the ongoing projects. In addition, these panels are also responsible to expand the Life sciences research base in the country by way of motivating and nurturing young scientists and R&D institutions to take up activities in the specialist areas. Presently, there are Five Specialist Panels to cover the different disciplines, viz.,

• Life Support & Biomedical Devices (LSBD)
• Soldier Health & Drug Development (SH&DD)
• Physiology of Extreme Environment & Behavioural Sciences (PEE&BS)
• Biotechnology and Bioremediation (BTB)
• Food, Agriculture & Bioprospecting Panel (FAB)

Who can Submit:

Principal Investigators from:-

• Research institutions
• Universities or colleges
• Indian academic institutions of national importance/repute
• National science and technology centers
• Non-profit professional societies performing advance research
• Acclaimed scientists attached to approved research
• Private institutions
• Departments or laboratories or individuals attached to reputed industrial firms with R&D facilities both in the Government and non-Government sector

Selection:

• All proposals will be referred to the appropriate specialist panel of the Life Sciences Research Board.
• Based on the recommendations of the panel, the LSRB approve project / scheme and issue sanction letters.
• Within the amount sanctioned, LSRB may approve reasonable requests for re appropriation of funds, manpower, equipment, etc
• Projects will be sanctioned for the entire projected period along with the total estimated cost with the year-wise breakdown. The grant shall, however, be payable yearly.
• The Universities, Institution etc. will be responsible for the administration of the scheme and maintenance of separate accounts etc. The grants shall be exclusively utilized for the purpose for which it is sanctioned.
• The project would be deemed to have become operative with effect from the date on which the grant is received by the institution.
• Continuation of the projects beyond the original sanctioned period will be permitted only under exceptional circumstances.
• Once a project is sanctioned to an institution, the head of the institution would be the financial controlling authority for operating the grant.

Salient Points:

• The proposal must clearly bring out an appreciation of how the project would lead to betterment of Life Sciences Resaerch Board development.
• PI can submit one proposal to only one research board.
• PI is not called for presentation.
• Yearly progress report has to be submitted by PI at the end of each year
• Utilization report has to be submitted by PI at the end of financial year

Checklist for Principal Investigator (PI):

• The list of equipments and their quantities with budgetary quote (BQ) to be attached.
• For high value equipment PI is suggested to explore the feasibility to use the same from nearby/close DRDO lab, otherwise justify.
• Cost estimation for equipment, procured services and expendables more than Rs. 10,000/- need to be supported by BQ.
• The workstation/laptop/scores/switches are not considered until sufficient justification is provided.
• The reasonability certificate to be provided by PI for the budgetary quote.
• Deliverables to DRDO may be quantified for the project.
• Estimated cost of contingencies for postage, stationary, printer cartridges, to be provided in detail certified by PI. Contingencies should not be more than 3% of project cost.
• In case of visiting faculty, the name of the visiting fellow/faculty with honorarium amount to be mentioned.
• The expenditure against the head travel (domestic only), operation and maintained to be in details and justification should be given for that.
• The expenditure against the head travel (domestic only), operation and maintained to be in details and justification should be given for that. Please provide cost bifurcation as well. Travel cost should not be more than 3% of project cost.
• The outcome of project need to be linked to DRDO/Services application.
• In case BQ are revised please provide reasons for the same. If the total budget of the project is revised, please provide first two pages of the project proposal duly signed by PI and registrar of the institute.

Documents Checklist during project submission:

• Endorsement from the Head of Institution(on letter head)
• Certificate from Investigator(s)
• Plagiarism undertaking
• Quotation for Budget for Manpower
• Quotation for Budget for Equipments
• Quotation for Budget for Expendables
• Quotation for Budget for Travel
• Quotation for Budget for Contingency
• Quotation for Overheads
• Quotation for Procured Services

Documents required during the implementation of project

• Annual Progress Report
• At the end of each financial year (FY) and at the time of seeking further installment of grant, the Institute/ PI has to furnish the following documents strictly as per DRDO formats
  • Utilization Certificate (UC) and Statement of Expenditure (SE) including expenditure for the previous financial year (in original)
  • Latest authenticated Statement of Expenditure including Committed Expenditure, for expenditure since 1st April of that financial year till the previous month and their financial requirement based on expenditure.
  • Trend till 30th April of the next Financial Year
  • Technical Progress Report
  • List of Assets acquired till that Financial Year

Documents required after the project duration is over along with the DD/RTGS for the unspent grant, if any:

• Final Consolidated Statement of Expenditure (in duplicate)
• Utilization Certificates (FY wise) for all FYs (in duplicate) matching with Statement of Expenditure figures in that Financial Year.
• Project Completion Report (PCR)
• List of assets acquired through Capital grants

Guidelines to fill the form:

• Title of proposal must be short and should encapsulate the main objective.
• State main objectives of the proposal highlighting investigations, methodology and/or experimental design (such as validating new theory, exploring new parameter regimes, test of hypotheses, etc.) followed by expected categories or types of results.
• Following details has to be provided:
  • Staff: Numbers and categories of staff proposed to be engaged has to be indicated. The current emoluments are as per Govt rules. HRA also payable as per Govt. rules.
  • Equipment: Details of proposed equipment with justification to be given.
  • Operation and maintenance of equipment: Include here proposed outlays on service contracts for maintenance of equipment beyond guarantee period; upkeep of animal houses; items essential for safe operation of equipment (other than required utilities under (h) below) e.g. essential periodic replacement of furnace linings, pump bearings, etc.
  • Expendables: Chemicals, Glass Wares, Electronic components and other consumables.
  • Contingencies: Includes office supplies, local transport, telephone/fax expenses, postage, etc. but should not include (h) below.
  • Visiting Faculty or Research Consultants: Enter total annual remuneration in year-boxes. (Brief bio-data of proposed Visiting Faculty or Research Consultants must be included in the proposal).
  • Procured services (other than (g)) and metered utilities: Include here any charges for separately metered power consumed by heavy equipment (e.g. furnaces, compressors, etc.); commercial sample-testing; certification charges; charged time on shared or hired equipment outside the host institution and expenses towards advertising for equipment and recruitment of staff.

• Identify payee in cheque, e.g. Registrar, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
• Should get the signature and the seal of the Administrative Authority.
• Signature of the Applicant is also required.

Contact Details:

Member Secretary, Life Sciences Research Board (LSRB)
Room No. 409, West Wing, 4th Floor
DRDO Hq. Annexe, Old LASTEC Building,
Metcalfe House, Civil Lines, Delhi- 110054.
Mail : lsrb[at]hqr[dot]drdo[dot]in

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: Who can apply/Who may submit?

A1: The proposal can be submitted by academia/ research institutes (Principle Investigators) available in the country engaged in the field of aeronautics, Indian academic institutions of national importance/repute, national science and technology centres, research institutions, non-profit professional societies performing advanced research, acclaimed scientists attached to approved research and also private institutions.

 

Q2: Is it mandatory to have Co-PI in the project proposal stage? How many institutions can be involved?

A2: Yes, PI should also provide the Co-PI details during the project submission process. Co-PI can be from same or other research insitutions.

 

Q3: Is there any age limit for applying to ERG Funds?

A3: No there is no age limit for applying to ERG scheme. However it is advisable that PI should have 1-2 years of service left beyond the duration of the project.

 

Q4: What are the trust areas of research?

A4: Trust areas are the research domains of interest to DRDO. Every board has its own trust areas and lited on the portal. PI should identify the cluster and trust areas before submiting the project proposal.

 

Q5: How do I know to which board I should apply? In how many boards can I submit the same project?

A5: The Research Boards, Clusters and Trust areas are mentioned on the portal. Kindly refer the Scheme, domain and the area in which PI is interested to submit the project proposal.

 

Q6: What documents I need to submit on the starting of the project?

A6: The submission format requires details like PI and Co-PI profile details, Project technical details, Budget details, Publication details, Patent details, Education and Research experience and other related informations.

 

Q7: What details to be submitted in Budgetary quotations?

A7: Budget quotations include the Manpower, Travel, Equipment, Consultancy, Contingencies and other related details.

 

Q8: What is Major and Minor revision during the proposal submission stage?

A8: Revision is suggested after the scrutiny of the submitted project. It is the responsibilty of the PI to incorporate the Major and Minor revisions suggested by the technical recommendation committee.

 

Q9: Do PI needs to submit the ethical certificate, plagiarism certificate during the submission stage?

A9: Ethical certificate may be required for the project proposals submitted to the LSRB Board. Plagiarism certificate is mandatory and has to be submitted at the the time of project proposal submission in all the boards.

 

Q10: What is a File no/Reference No and what is the significance of this no in Project?

A10: File No is a unique number generated at the time of Project proposal submission. Please use the reference no for all the future communications.

 

Q11: Is it required for both PI and Co-PI to register on the web portal for applying to ERG Scheme?

A11: PI has to register on the DRDO project submission website and verify their mail ID first and then, login to submit the proposal. It is advised that PI should go through the guidelines before submission.

 

Q12: I am a non-Indian. Am I eligible for the Grant?

A12: This scheme is only for Indian nationals. Persons of Indian Origin(PIOs) traveling on or holding foreign(i.e., non-Indian) passports are non-Indians and not eligible as of now.

 

Q13: Is this scheme associated to individuals also?

A13: This scheme is for PI and Co-PI associated with Indian institutions.

 

Q14: What should the Proposal submission details include?

A14: The proposal should provide aim and objective of the research activity, relevance, current status, time period, facilities available as envisaged in terms of infrastructure and special equipment along with budgetary quotation, major activities and time lines, cost and its breakups, stages of reviews, likely outcomes/ deliverables, documentation, and details of the Co-PI etc.

 

Q15: Can I get the manpower support for the Project?

A15: Yes, please fill the details in the Budget section of Project proposal. PI can fill the requestion for RA, SRF, JRF as per the Gov Norms

 

Q16: Is PI needs to submit the hard copy along with the online submission?

A16: PI may be asked to submit the hard copy depending on the Research board and scheme requirements.

 

Q17: How long does it take to get the project proposal sanctioned? How PI can track the project evaluation stages?

A17: The sanctioning of the project may take some time. The progress and tracking of the project evaluation stages may be available on the PI dashboard.

 

Q18: How PI can contact the project submission support team?

A18: There will be dedicated staff for the the DRDO project support. Support team can be contacted at the following Address: Email: Mob:

 

Q19: What will be the start date of the project operation after sanction?

A19: The project would be deemed to have become operative with effect from the date on which the grant is received by the institution.

 

Q20: Who is the financial controlling authority for operating the grant within the institution after sanction?

A20: Once a project is sanctioned to an institution, the head of the institution would be the financial controlling authority for operating the grant.

 

Q21: Does DRDO discriminate Project Investigators working in Private Universities/Institutions in funding?

A21: No. DRDO does not discriminate Project Investigators working in Private Universities/Institutions. Funding decisions are made based on merit of the proposal, competence of the Investigator(s), and the infrastructure available in the implementing institution, and not on the category of institutions the Investigator is working.

 

Q22: What is the maximum amount of the grant the Board will fund?

A22: There is no upper limit (or even lower limit) for a project grant. The budget is decided based on the requirement on the nature of research, importance to DRDO and its successful implementation. The Investigator should propose a budget which is realistic taking into account the infrastructure and resources available at the implementing institutions.

 

Q23: Can I join two academic institutions to carry my research at the same time? Can I submit proposal jointly with another institute?

A23: It is strongly advised to have one host institution for fund transfer & account management. However, you may get into collaboration with any other institute or organization.

 

Q24: What should be done for the unspent grant under ERG after the completion of the project duration?

A24: The following documents should to be sent to the DRDO after the duration of the completion of Project:

• Final Consolidated Statement of Expenditure (in duplicate), giving expenditure financial year wise (FY) from date of start till date of completion;
• Utilization Certificates (FY wise) for all FYs (in duplicate) matching with Statement of Expenditure figures in that FY;
• Project Completion Report (PCR) with list of publications, patents filed.
• DD/ cheque for the unspent grant, drawn in favor of 'Fund for Science & Engineering Research'
• Insitution's PI and Co-PI are responsible for the timely submission of progress report, utilization certificate, project closure report (PCR), refund of unspent balance amount etc. at end or early closure of the project.

 

Q25: Can I change the institute? What is the process for changing the institute?

A25: Yes, PI can change the institute during the Project Implementation stage. Please fill the change of institute form. The process will be processed and based on decision, PI may be allowed to change the Institution.

 

Q26: Can I surrender the project before the project duration? What is the procedure for surrending the ERG approved project?

A26: Yes, PI will be required to fill the Project surrender Form and only after the complete process and NOC submission, PI will be allowed to surrender the project.

 

Q27: Can I take leave or away from my host institute during the project implementation period?

A27: Yes, PI needs to take permission before leaving the host institution, in the absence of PI, It is the responsibility of Co-PI to execute the funded project.

 

Q28: What documents should I send for receiving the next instalments of the grant?

A28: The PIs should upload annual Progress Report and financial statements at the end of each financial year. The release of the next instalment of the grant will be considered only after submission of (a) Proper Utilization Certificate (separately for recurring & Non-recurring) and Statement of Expenditure, financial year wise and (b) Annual Progress Report through the DRDO online portal.