Cabinet Unlocks Rs 1,500 Crore Lifeline for Future Medics: Phase III of BRCP Set to Empower 2,000+ Young Researchers
Union Cabinet greenlights Rs 1,500 crore for BRCP Phase III, empowering 2,000+ young biomedical researchers with fellowships and grants to drive India’s healthcare innovation.
New Delhi, October 1, 2025
In a strategic move to supercharge India’s biomedical innovation engine, the Union Cabinet today gave the thumbs-up to the third installment of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP), injecting a hefty Rs 1,500 crore to nurture the next generation of health pioneers. This renewed commitment, spanning from the fiscal year 2025-26 through 2030-31—with an extra six years of support until 2037-38—promises to equip over 2,000 budding scientists and postdocs with the tools to drive groundbreaking discoveries in healthcare.
The BRCP, a flagship initiative kickstarted back in 2008-09 as a collaborative effort between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology and the UK-based Wellcome Trust, has long served as a launchpad for high-caliber research rooted in Indian soil. Operated through the dedicated DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance, the programme has evolved across phases to broaden its reach, and Phase III marks a bold expansion in scope and ambition. The funding pie breaks down to Rs 1,000 crore from DBT and Rs 500 crore from Wellcome Trust, underscoring a shared global stake in elevating India’s research prowess to international benchmarks.
At its core, Phase III will roll out a multifaceted toolkit tailored to researchers at pivotal career junctures. Early-career and mid-level fellowships will target fresh talent in foundational sciences, patient-focused clinical studies, and community-oriented public health domains, providing them with robust mentorship, global networking opportunities, and platforms for public outreach. For seasoned investigators, the agenda introduces collaborative funding streams, including career advancement awards and team-based catalytic grants that unite two to three experts on high-potential projects. A dedicated research management track will further bolster institutional capacities, ensuring smoother pathways from lab ideas to real-world applications.
Eligibility zeroes in on promising early-stage investigators hungry for formative growth, alongside established mid-to-senior professionals boasting solid track records of impactful work within India. This targeted approach isn’t just about numbers—it’s engineered for tangible ripple effects. Proponents anticipate a surge in top-tier journal publications, patent filings ripe for commercialization, and heightened acclaim within scientific circles. Notably, the phase pledges a 10-15% uplift in resources for female researchers, while aiming to steer 25-30% of joint ventures toward Technology Readiness Level 4 or higher, inching innovations closer to practical deployment. To democratize access, efforts will extend beyond metros, weaving in more activities across Tier-2 and Tier-3 locales to unearth and amplify talent nationwide.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the decision as a game-changer, posting on social media: “Phase 3 of the Biomedical Research Career Programme approved by the Union Cabinet today will add a new impetus to India’s new-age healthcare.” His endorsement highlights the programme’s alignment with broader national goals, from fortifying self-reliance in medical R&D to tackling pressing health challenges through homegrown solutions.
As India grapples with evolving threats like antimicrobial resistance and chronic diseases, BRCP Phase III stands as a timely fortification of its research ecosystem. By blending domestic drive with international synergy, it not only safeguards the pipeline of tomorrow’s breakthroughs but also positions the country as a formidable player in the global biomedical arena. With fellowships set to ignite soon, the stage is primed for a fresh cohort of innovators to redefine health horizons.
