Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply:

1. Indian Nationals
2. Undergraduates or Postgraduates in the fields of life sciences, Agriculture, Engineering, medicine & human biology (B.Tech, BE, MBBS) or postgraduate (MSc, MS, M.Tech, MPhil, MD) & PhD below 35 years are eligible to apply.

Selection process

1. The applications are invited at national level.
2. The application has to be submitted online through BIRAC portal.
3. The applicant will be asked to indicate his/her choice of the SPARSH Centre.
4. The Centre-wise list of applicants will be created and sent to respective Centre for eligibility checks and further evaluation.
5. Shortlisted applicants will be called for a presentation at the respective SPARSH centers before a Technical Expert Committee which would also involve a BIRAC representative.
6. Shortlisted applicants will be called as Social Innovators and will enter into an agreement with PSG-STEP SPARSH Centre.
7. PSG-STEP shall recruit 5 SIIP fellows per cycle under 1 particular theme.

Recruitment & Selection of SPARSH Fellows

1. The candidate should have basic understanding of the “Ageing & Health” in different resource settings, and drive to undertake product/technology development process independently.
2. Any training in past on various aspects of Entrepreneurship would be desirable.
3. Required training and mentorship would be provided to Social innovators during the course of Program.

Entry into BIRAC BIG Scheme:

• At the closure of the final phase, the progress of the innovator and future potential of the innovation/technology will be reviewed and the panel may recommend the innovator for lateral entry into BIG scheme.
• On completion of their program, the Social innovators will have the option to apply under BIG scheme of BIRAC to further their research/product development process.