Cabinet Approves Phase III of Biomedical Research Career Programme to Train 2,000+ Scientists
SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Institutions: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) | Ministry of Science & Technology
The Union Cabinet has approved Phase III of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP), a joint initiative of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Wellcome Trust, UK, to be implemented by the India Alliance SPV. With an outlay of ₹1,500 crore (₹1,000 crore from DBT and ₹500 crore from WT-UK), the programme will run from 2025–26 to 2030–31, with funding provisions extended to 2037–38.
BRCP-III will support globally recognised research fellowships in basic, clinical, and public health sciences, alongside collaborative grants for multi-investigator teams and a Research Management Programme to build institutional capacity. The programme aims to train over 2,000 researchers and postdocs, generate high-impact publications, encourage patentable discoveries, expand activity to Tier-2/3 institutions, and enhance support for women researchers by 10–15%.
By investing in human capital, research networks, and translational biomedical science, BRCP-III aligns with Viksit Bharat goals and India’s broader ambition to position itself as a global hub for health innovation. Its SPV model and international partnerships highlight India’s increasing reliance on mission-oriented science programmes to bridge capacity gaps and reduce regional disparities in R&D ecosystems.
What is BRCP? → The Biomedical Research Career Programme, launched in 2008 as a DBT–Wellcome Trust partnership, funds early- and mid-career scientists in India through fellowships, grants, and institutional support. It seeks to build world-class biomedical research talent and infrastructure to meet public health and innovation needs.
What is the Wellcome Trust, UK? → A global charitable foundation based in the United Kingdom that funds research to improve human health. It is one of the world’s largest health research funders, supporting biomedical science, public health, and innovation across countries, including India.
What is the India Alliance SPV? → The DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created in 2008 to implement the Biomedical Research Career Programme. It manages fellowships, grants, and research initiatives in India, acting as the operational body for the DBT–Wellcome partnership.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can BRCP-III ensure that its research talent and outputs are translated into affordable, accessible solutions for India’s pressing health challenges?
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