New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP), Phase-III, aimed at advancing India’s biomedical research ecosystem.
The programme will run from 2025-26 to 2030-31, with an additional six-year servicing period till 2037-38, at a total cost of Rs 1,500 crore. Of this, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will contribute Rs 1,000 crore, while the UK-based Wellcome Trust (WT) will provide Rs 500 crore.
Launched in 2008-09 through the DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance, the BRCP has been instrumental in nurturing scientific talent and supporting high-quality biomedical research. Building on Phases I and II, which positioned India as an emerging global hub in life sciences, Phase-III seeks to expand capacity, reduce regional disparities and promote translational innovation aligned with the goals of Viksit Bharat.
Under Phase-III, three major components will be rolled out: Early Career and Intermediate Fellowships in basic, clinical and public health research; Collaborative Grant Programmes, including Career Development and Catalytic Collaborative Grants; and a Research Management Programme to enhance research systems. The initiative will also emphasise mentorship, networking, public engagement and forging new international partnerships.
The government expects the programme to train over 2,000 students and postdoctoral fellows, foster patentable innovations and generate high-impact scientific publications. It also aims to provide greater support to women researchers, with 10-15 per cent increased participation, and ensure that 25-30 per cent of collaborative projects reach technology readiness levels (TRL) of four and above. Expansion into Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions is also a key priority to widen the programme’s reach across the country.
By investing in talent and innovation, Phase-III of BRCP is set to strengthen India’s biomedical research capacity, positioning it at par with global standards and boosting the country’s role in the international knowledge economy.
