BIG Grant Writing Workshop
BIG Grant Writing Workshop
Date of session: 20 August 2020
Moderator: Ms. Swati
Speaker:
Dr. Namrata Misra
Head BioInnovation, KIIT-TBI
The speaker explained that the “BIG Grant” has got many different
values.
BIG SCHEME- This Grant is for innovators for something that has
commercial value attached to it. It is a very unusual grant.
“Commercial viability”
It focuses on “market potential”. We need to build ourselves that how much we are convincing. Most of us are good at talking. Selection of
your Grant depends upon how you write your Grant and how you package it.
BIG is a very interesting scheme of BIRAC. With BIG Scheme,
you have to be smart and package it well. We need to write some exciting Grants and the good ones get included.
The host said that it is about team work. Here, the BIRAC
team helps you from application to on-boarding.
BIG – Biotechnology Ignition Grant
Purpose:
To convert Ideas à commercially viable products
The fields include:
1.
Agriculture
2.
Biomedical devices
3.
Industry Biotech
4.
Drugs
5.
IoT
6.
AI and ML etc.
Eligibility to apply for the BIG Grant:
1.
You need to be an Indian citizen
2.
You need to be a Team Leader
3.
It should be included in an Incubator
4.
You need to produce a “No - Objection Certificate”, if you are doing a
job or are a Research fellow.
5. If the applicant is working with an LLP à that person needs to give an undertaking that you will leave the job and take up this project as full – time.
6. If you are applying through a company, then it should be an LLP and it should be registered under the 1956 Act.
7. The company must have R&D facility.
8. If the applicant is a company or a partner in that company, then applicant is not eligible.
Selection Test:
1.
Screening
2. PSC – It examines all the technical details.
3. Online subject review by subject matter experts.
4. Technical Expert Panel (TEP) - It is evaluated by a panel. It is checked for if the score is below 60 or not. The cut-off is checked upon.
The BIRAC Team has been coordinating
this Grant for past 6 years. The BIG GRANT helps you to think differently. The
only thing which differentiates it is the Application structure.
There are seven Golden Rules:
1. We don’t have to write everything. We
have to make the reviewers happy. Do not write the application for yourself. Do
not write the application for Scientific specialists.
2. Reviewers read your application because
it is their responsibility. It should be as Question – Answer.
3. We need to make the reviewers work
hard.
4. You need to understand the reviewers’
perspective.
5. Reviewers feeds the comments without
the information provided in your application and the way in which you provide
it.
The
reviewers feedback comments are never about you as a person. They are not
judgemental. Reviewers have a score – sheet. So, you need to put all the
information in your application.
6. Build your team.
The
investors have to ask many questions. You need to learn the art. You need to
get hold of a business person that sells your product. Contact the right person
that can guide you.
Structure of a BIG Application
1. Title of Proposal : It defines an appropriate and catchy title which is concise. You can write keywords (that clearly define your work). So that it does not go to wrong reviewer. You need to write what is the USP of your project.
2. Proposal Summary : Abstract of your application. The reviewer should be able to understand what your application is about.
It is very important. Needs to be in an elusive and storytelling manner.
If you have a problem statement, how you find a solution to that.
Proposal - Should focus on the problem. You need to write about the current problem statement and the current technique and find the solution to it.
Uniqueness, innovative component - Uniqueness defines what is better in your idea as compared to the Prior Art. It's an advantage in that it leads to economic benefits. It has a better performance. It is user-friendly.
3. Upload your concept: CONCEPT NOTE: UPLOAD
Word to Pdf conversion. You can add visuals as to how your product looks like. Mark the features. Mention how it is user-friendly. Explain with a diagram. Each and every step is important. Technical details you need to mention without any fear. Reviewers will not steal your idea. Be confident about your idea and can also provide temperature conditions. You can give thorough discussions about your concept.
4. Preliminary work done :
You have to show technical feasibility of your project. At what state is your project right now (Stage A) and on getting the BIG Grant, at what stage will be your project (Stage B), that guarantee needs to be there.
5. TEAM :
BARC encourages to be in a team with competing skill sets. Include a Bio- design Engineer and a clinician in your team and also a marketing person.
Hospitals - who are ready to give patient samples.
Industry partners - who are ready to manufacture. If you are in discussion with any Industry Partners, you need to mention that.
Fabrication - If you need help, you can seek help from the BARC team ( for prototype).
Novelty - Why somebody will buy your product?
"Innovative Element"
Who are your competitors? What are your challenges?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
A comparative table about your strengths and your competitors.
Opportunity and Feasibility - How your project helps the community. Eg. if there is a diagnostic for cancer. There is a huge market for your project.
Eg. If you are developing a technology, it can be integrated with other products. So, that will have a better market.
You need to see that the idea you are proposing is viable. (The materials that you are using are economically viable).
6. Risk Factor: Identifying the risks involved, seasonal risks, or market risks. You should have alternate backup strategies for your project.
7. IP Strategy :
Patent: If you have a provisional patent, then mention it.
What is the scope of your project (Process or Product) -> that has scope for Patent filing.
8. Plan of commercialization: Business
model
Plans to make money selling your product developed as a result of BIG Grant.
What is market relevance? What could be different market applications? What is the market size? What will be sold?
Is your innovation standalone or could be aggregated into different components which could be commercialized as distinct entities?
Describe your sales strategy.
9. Roadmap :
What work is already done?
What stage you are at?
What would be the further activities?
What would be the project status at the end of 18 months?
Post BIG Grant:
You need to write further ahead steps after getting the grant.
10. Objectives and Milestones :
Objectives mean "experiments".
Milestones mean "quantifiers"(final results).
11. Timeline and Work Plan – BIG: You need to divide your work into 18 months and mention it here.
12. Budget Specification: You don’t need to worry about the budget specifications in your application. The reviewer focuses only on the technology.
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