With the goal to enhance and encourage the participation of women scientists in the area of Biotechnology research, the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, announced the call for proposals, 'Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation Programme for Women Scientists', under the Bio-CARe scheme for women scientists.

The program is primarily targeted towards the career development of women scientists who are currently either employed or unemployed. This scheme is open to various areas of life science and biotechnology including agriculture, veterinary science and medicine. Women below the age of 55 are encouraged to apply in order to ensure maximum effectiveness and impact. The last date for submitting the proposals is September 30, 2013.

The main purpose of this scheme is to build capacities for women scientists who are employed full-time in various Universities and research laboratories, or unemployed women scientists who would want to undertake research after a career break so as to help them pursue independent R&D projects.

Women with M Tech, MD or Ph.D degrees in any branch of life sciences are eligible to apply for this scheme. The department has also extended the Bio-CARe scheme for women scientists who belong or currently working in the North-Eastern Region of India. The proposal should be from women scientists who are working in Institutes and Universities in the North Eastern Region of India only.