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United States - India Science and Technology Endowment Fund

COVID-19 Ignition Grants

Across the world, countries are being challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic in ways they have never

been before. Science, Engineering, and Technology will play a critical role in finding solutions to this

global challenge through the development of new vaccines, devices, diagnostic tools, and information

systems, as well as strategies to help communities and nations manage and deploy resources to combat

this pandemic. Global challenges call for global collaborations and partnerships, bringing together the

best and brightest scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to work together to find solutions not only to

address the current pandemic, but also for the challenges that lie ahead. Collaborations and networks

not only help to leverage and share expertise across S&T communities, thereby creating synergy, but

often lead to the generation of innovative and transformative solutions. Collaboration, both national

and international, facilitates the development of a diverse, globally-engaged science, engineering, and

technology-enabled workforce.

The United States–India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF) seeks to support and foster

joint applied R&D to generate public good through the commercialization of technology developed

through sustained partnerships between U.S. and Indian researchers and entrepreneurs. The current

global crisis underscores the importance and relevance of USISTEF activities.

In keeping with its’ mission and vision, the United States–India Science & Technology Endowment Fund

announces a Call for Proposals under the category of Ignition Grants. USISTEF encourages out-of-the-

box, innovative ideas from the community to address the COVID-19 challenge. Ignition Grant proposals

should address proof-of-concept based on sound science and engineering research, potential for

commercial viability and practicality of the idea/innovation/technology.

1. OBJECTIVES

USISTEF would select and support promising joint U.S.-India S&T based entrepreneurial initiatives that

address the “development and implementation of new technologies, tools, and systems to address

COVID-19 related challenges including monitoring, diagnosis, health and safety, public outreach,

information and communication”. These initiatives can originate from government, academic, non-

governmental or commercial entities, and any combination thereof provided they focus on applied R&D,

and have commercial potential. USISTEF would also consider proposals related to technologies/products

that can be re-purposed to address COVID-19 in the current scenario. USISTEF encourages projects that

demonstrate a high degree of innovation leveraging advances in science and technology.

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2. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), as the Secretariat for USISTEF, will announce a

Call for Proposals that would be disseminated through the IUSSTF website, social media handles, and

other networks. IUSSTF would solicit proposals under two categories: Ignition Stage I: To help early-stage creative ideas develop a proof-of-concept and/or build a

prototype [Grant support up to INR 50,00,000/- or approx.. $66,000/-] Ignition Stage II: To support a team with a workable, validated prototype and/or with the ability

to repurpose existing innovative solutions to meet the COVID-19 challenge [Grant support up to INR 1,00,00,000/- or approx.. $1,33,000/- ]

Applications will be accepted online from 15 April 2020 onwards with a submission deadline of 15 May 2020. While we wait for the call to open, you may like to take a look at the application format at Annexure I. Multiple submissions for the same idea/innovation are not allowed. 3. ELIGIBILITY

Proposals must have at least one Indian and one U. S. partner for the complete duration of the

proposed project. Primary partners from both sides must have significant and synergistic roles

in the development and commercialization of technologies for the specific application described

in the proposal.

The relationship between the U.S. and Indian partners must be clearly defined, including

ownership of intellectual property rights for the technology proposed to be developed and

commercialized.

At least one of the partners must be an entrepreneurial entity (preferably a small or medium-

scale enterprise) and the team may include any combination of the following:

(i) Incorporated companies including start-ups; or

(ii) Non-incorporated entities; or

(iii) Academic, governmental and non-governmental research institutions or their consortia

(iv) Individuals

Funding and Award Recommendation

It may be noted that Endowment Fund is an Indian Rupee Fund and all the awards are

denominated in Indian rupees (INR) only. Awards are made in tranches according to project

milestones and instalment amounts are fixed in Rupees. For U.S. Awardees, the award is

transferred after converting it to USD at the prevailing exchange rate as on the date of

disbursement with no adjustment made for foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

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Awards will be released in a phased manner based on successful completion of milestones.

All milestones for the awards will be specified at the time of the award.

The Board reserves the right to limit its award to selected project activities and milestones

and in doing so approve partial funding.

The teams should indicate willingness to accept the Terms and Conditions of the Award

(T&C) in case the proposal is approved.

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Annexure I Proposal Format

United State-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF): Ignition Grants

Addressing COVID-19

Application # USISTEF/COVID or COVID-000/20..

I. Basic Information

Project Title (must include “COVID-19”):

Project Duration (months):

o 6 months,

o 12 moths How much financial support are you seeking from USISTEF (amount in rupees):

Is at least one partner a new or small-scale commercial/entrepreneurial entity?

(Yes/NO)

Is either partner legally controlled by the other? If yes, please provide details. (50 words)

How soon do you anticipate getting to the market? (50 words)

Do you have funding from other sources for this particular innovation//technology

(Please specify in detail, separately)

o Grants received from federal/non-federal agencies

o Grants received from Venture Capital (VC)

o Grants received from Angels Network investors

Have you applied for USISTEF funding earlier? If yes, please provide details.

o Reference Number

o Proposal Title

o Year of Application

Partner Details (India) o Title: o Name: o Designation: o Contact Number: o Email: o Affiliation/Institution: o Address (including street, city, state): o Country: o PIN: o Website:

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+ Add more Partners

Partner Details (USA) o Title: o Name: o Designation: o Contact Number: o Email: o Affiliation/Institution: o Address including street, city, state: o Country: o PIN: o Website:

+ Add more Partners

What is the proposed deliverable(s) in terms of product and/or service? (50 words)

Describe the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of the proposed product/service in terms of

addressing a COVID-19 challenge (50 words)

II. Proposal Brief

A. Proposal Brief (1000 words):

(Please ensure that the write-up clearly address the following questions

What is the specific problem related to COVID-19 you are trying to solve?

What is your proposed solution and the underlying S&T novelty/technological innovation driving

the solution?

At what stage is your technology? Do you have a working prototype?

Are there any existing solutions? If yes, how is your solution better/different from the existing

solutions in terms of features and/or affordability?

What is the relationship between the U.S. and Indian partners, including ownership of

intellectual property rights for the technology proposed to be developed and commercialized?

What is your business plan and commercialization strategy?

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B. Budget Summary (Funding Sought from USISTEF):

Table – I: Year Milestone

Milestone

Description (indicate specific

roles of Indian and U.S. Parners)

Indian Partners (in INR)

U.S. Partners (in INR)

Total (in INR)

Year 1

1 30 Words

2 30 Words

Grand Total

Table – II:

S. No.

Budget Head Indian Partner (in INR)

U.S. Partner

(in INR)

Total Cost (in INR)

Non-Recurring 1. Equipment

Recurring

2. Manpower

3. Consultancy from External Agencies

4. Consumables

5. Contingencies

6. Field Trials

7. Other Cost

Grand Total