Department of Biotechnology

Ministry of Science & Technology,

Block-2, 7th Floor, C.G.O. Complex,
Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110 003

National Network Programme on Algal Biofuels -

Call for Concept Proposals

The Department of Biotechnology has been supporting various R & D activities

under Energy Bioscience programme. The focus has been on bioenergy and
biofuels including biodiesel/bioethanol using different feed stocks. Algal Biofuel
has an enormous potential and DBT would like to launch a major Network
Programme in this Area. A Project Conceptualisation Meeting is being scheduled
in the 3rd week of July, 2008. Scientists involved in this area and those who are
interested in taking up research in this emerging field are invited to submit
Concept Proposals for consideration by DBT.

Some indicative priority areas are :

1. Collection, screening, taxonomic identification algal biodiversity.
2. Development of uni-algal cultures of suitable strains.
3. Establishment of culture collection centres / repositories.
4. Cultivation of Micro/Macro algae for biofuel production.
5. Developing and optimizing new production system and enhancing
productivity of algal cultures.
6. R&D investigations of lipid and fatty acid profile for microalgal biodiesel
production.
7. Algal feedstock for Hydrogen and Bioethanol production using different
approaches.
8. Proteomic and Genomic approach for improved productivity.
9. Development and Engineering of bioreactors for pilot plant scale
production of water-minimized algal biomass cake.
 10. Modelling of systems for recycling factory CO2 emission for algal biomass
production.
11. Downstream Process optimization for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery.

The above list is an indicative and not exhaustive, Scientists are free to include
other emerging and cutting edge areas of relevance in the Indian context.

Who Can Apply?

Scientists working in the Universities / Research Institutions / NGO’s/ Industry
with relevant experience in the area would be eligible to apply.

Network multi-institutional projects tackling the problem with an end to end

approach would be preferred. Industry partnership program would be
encouraged. Individual projects with specific objectives would also be
considered.

How to Apply ?
5 copies of the concept-proposal (not more than 5 pages) giving objectives, leads
available, methodology, expected outcome and linkages with the other groups
alongwith approximate budgetary requirements may be sent by post to
Dr. Meenakshi Munshi, Joint Director, Department of Biotechnology, Block
– 2, 7th Floor, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003 alongwith a
softcopy at the email address meenakshi29@dbt.nic.in. A brief biodata of all
concerned scientists including relevant publications in refereed journals during
last 3 years may also be enclosed.

Last Date
The last date for submission of pre-proposal is 30th June, 2008