Call for Proposals for Establishment of DBT-NIDAN Kendras under the UMMID Network

Government Medical College/Hospital or SIRO-recognized not-for-profit Medical College/Hospital with an established, functional genetic testing facility (molecular genetics, cytogenetics, biochemical genetics, or genomic testing), a registered Institutional Ethics Committee, and experience handling inherited disorders. No grants to for-profit organizations.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), through the Unique Methods of Management and Treatment of Inherited Disorders (UMMID) Programme, invites proposals for designation as DBT-NIDAN (National Inherited Diseases Administration) Kendras. These centres provide high-quality, affordable, and accessible genetic testing for patients with suspected inherited disorders and rare diseases, leveraging existing genetic testing facilities without support for new infrastructure or major equipment.

Scope of activities:

• Clinical genetics services and genetic counseling (including prenatal diagnostics like amniocentesis/CVS)
• Diagnostic testing for common genetic diseases (karyotyping, PCR-RFLP for Factor V Leiden, molecular assays for Hemophilia A, Sanger sequencing for beta thalassemia/sickle cell anemia/cystic fibrosis, MLPA for SMA/DMD/CMT1, triplet-primed PCR for Fragile X/Huntington/spinocerebellar ataxia)
• Prenatal testing for hemoglobinopathies, SMA, DMD, Down syndrome, neural tube defects, and region-prevalent disorders
• Genetic counseling for high-risk pregnancies
• Short-term screening, training, and outreach activities

Funding pattern: No Non-Recurring (NR) grant provided. Institutions use existing infrastructure. DBT support restricted to approved recurring components (GIA-General): Manpower, Consumables, Training and Workshop, Contingencies, Domestic Travel, Others, and Overheads per DBT guidelines. Support is initially for three years, subject to annual review.