NEW DELHI — The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) Phase-III, securing a significant ₹1,500 crore outlay to bolster India’s biomedical research capabilities. The approval reaffirms the government commitment to building a resilient, innovative, and globally competitive biomedical ecosystem aligning with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
The programme, implemented through a partnership between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Wellcome Trust (WT) of the United Kingdom and the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), India Alliance will cover the period 2025–26 to 2030–31, with a budget commitment extending to 2037–38 for grants servicing. The funding split sees the DBT contributing ₹1,000 crore and the Wellcome Trust investing ₹500 crore.
Program Evolution and Key Goals
First launched in 2008–09, the BRCP has been instrumental in establishing India as an emerging hub for biomedical science. Building on the successes of Phase I (2008–2018) and Phase II (2018–2025), Phase III aims for a dramatic scale-up in research capacity and talent development.
Key Features of Phase-III include:
• Fellowship Programmes: Continued support for outstanding scientists through internationally benchmarked Early Career and Intermediate Fellowships across basic, clinical, and public health research.
• Collaborative Grants: Introduction of Career Development Grants and Catalytic Collaborative Grants to foster team science and accelerate translational outcomes in healthcare.
• Inclusivity and Equity: A strong focus on regional equity, with expanded activities into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and 10–15% increased support for women scientists.
• Research Management: Strengthening institutional support systems and mentoring frameworks to maximize the efficiency and outcomes of scientific research.
Anticipated Impact
The government projects that Phase III will have far-reaching impacts, including the training of over 2,000 students and postdoctoral fellows. Critically it aims for 25–30% of collaborative programmes to reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, leading to healthcare innovations and patentable discoveries.
By strengthening translational science and focusing on interdisciplinary innovation the BRCP is positioned to directly address India healthcare challenges, drive biotechnology-driven growth, and cement India’s role in the global biomedical knowledge economy.