Cabinet Clears Rs 15 Billion Biomedical Research Career Phase III

03 Oct 2025 CW Team

Launched in 2008–09 through the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance, the BRCP has been instrumental in supporting world-class biomedical research in India. Phase II was rolled out in 2018–19 with an expanded portfolio, and Phase III will build on this foundation to nurture scientific talent, foster translational innovation, and reduce regional disparities in research capacity.

Phase III will introduce:

Early Career and Intermediate Fellowships in basic, clinical and public health, tailored for formative stages of scientists.
Collaborative Grants, including Career Development and Catalytic Collaborative Grants for early and mid-senior researchers with strong track records.
Research Management Programme to strengthen core research efforts, mentorship, networking, public engagement and international collaborations.

The programme aims to train over 2,000 students and postdoctoral fellows, deliver high-impact publications, enable patentable discoveries, and provide stronger support for women researchers (10–15 per cent increase). It also targets 25–30 per cent of collaborative programmes advancing to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above, while expanding engagement in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions.

Phases I and II established India as an emerging hub for biomedical sciences of global standing. Phase III, aligned with Viksit Bharat goals, will strengthen India’s biomedical research ecosystem, enhance innovation, and cement its place in the global knowledge economy.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) Phase III, a joint initiative of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and the Wellcome Trust (WT), United Kingdom. The programme will run from 2025–26 to 2030–31, with an additional six years (2031–32 to 2037–38) to service fellowships and grants, at a total cost of Rs 15 billion, of which DBT will contribute Rs 10 billion and WT Rs 5 billion.Launched in 2008–09 through the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance, the BRCP has been instrumental in supporting world-class biomedical research in India. Phase II was rolled out in 2018–19 with an expanded portfolio, and Phase III will build on this foundation to nurture scientific talent, foster translational innovation, and reduce regional disparities in research capacity.Phase III will introduce:Early Career and Intermediate Fellowships in basic, clinical and public health, tailored for formative stages of scientists.Collaborative Grants, including Career Development and Catalytic Collaborative Grants for early and mid-senior researchers with strong track records.Research Management Programme to strengthen core research efforts, mentorship, networking, public engagement and international collaborations.The programme aims to train over 2,000 students and postdoctoral fellows, deliver high-impact publications, enable patentable discoveries, and provide stronger support for women researchers (10–15 per cent increase). It also targets 25–30 per cent of collaborative programmes advancing to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above, while expanding engagement in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions.Phases I and II established India as an emerging hub for biomedical sciences of global standing. Phase III, aligned with Viksit Bharat goals, will strengthen India’s biomedical research ecosystem, enhance innovation, and cement its place in the global knowledge economy.

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