BRCP Phase III Approved: Strengthening India’s Biomedical Research Talent
Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) Phase III, has been approved by the Union Cabinet, which is led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. With provisions to support continued fellowships and awards until 2037–2038, this subsequent phase will run from 2025–2026 to 2030–31. A total of 1,500 crore has been set aside for this phase, with 1,000 crore coming from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and 500 crore from the UK’s Wellcome Trust.
Through the India Alliance, a special purpose organization, the DBT and the Wellcome Trust collaborate to implement the BRCP. The program seeks to develop top-notch scientific talent, advance multidisciplinary research, and bolster India’s ability to innovate translationally in biomedicine.
In Phase III, the following programme will be rolled out:
Early Career and Intermediate Research Fellowship
These will be designed to assist scientists in the early phases of their careers and will span basic, clinical, and public health research.
Collaborative Grants Programme
- Career Development Grants
- Catalytic Collaborative Grants (for investigator teams of 2–3)
- Indian researchers in their early and mid-career stages who have already established a solid research record are the target audience for these grants.
Research Management Programme
- Intended to improve the infrastructure, institutional support, and fundamental research procedures.
- Furthermore, mentoring, networking, public participation, and establishing new national and international collaborations will all be given more importance in Phase III.
Phase III is projected to:
- Train over 2,000 students and postdoctoral fellows
- Generate high-impact publications
- Facilitate patentable discoveries
- Enhance peer recognition of Indian scientists
- Increase support for women by 10–15%
- Enable 25–30% of collaborative programmes to reach Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL-4) or higher
- Expand research activity into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, reducing regional disparities in scientific capacity
Through its India Alliance with the DBT/Wellcome Trust, the BRCP has funded biomedical research fellowships in India since its launch in 2008–09. Phase II, with a broader portfolio, was introduced in 2018–19. India hopes to expand on past achievements and solidify its position as a major center for biomedical research worldwide with Phase III. This phase aims to promote innovation and high-quality research nationwide and is in line with both national priorities and international standards.
Approval of Phase III of the Biomedical Research Career Program is a strategic investment in India’s scientific future, not just a legislative decision. By encouraging collaborative innovation, developing young talent, and expanding possibilities outside of urban areas, the program lays the groundwork for India to become a world leader in biomedical research. BRCP Phase III intends to transform research brilliance into significant healthcare solutions for the country and the world through improved infrastructure, increased inclusivity, and deeper international relationships.
