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News: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP), Phase-III.
About Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP)
- It provides opportunities to early, intermediate, and senior researchers to build research and academic careers in biomedical, clinical, and public health fields in India.
- Ministry involved: The Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Initiative by: The Department of Biotechnology in partnership with the Wellcome Trust (WT), UK, through the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance (India Alliance), a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
- Phases of the scheme
- Phase 1:
- It was set up in 2008–09 for a period of ten years.
- It was launched to offer India-based fellowships at world-class standards.
- Phase 2:
- It was extended for another five years from FY 2019–20.
- Its mission is to “enable biomedical research in India through funding and engagement.”
- Phase 3:
- Aim: It aims to train more than 2,000 students and postdoctoral fellows, generate high-impact publications, and enable patentable discoveries.
- Duration: Phase-III will run for six years from FY 2025–26 to 2030–31, with an additional servicing period from FY 2031–32 to 2037–38 for fellowships and grants approved till 2030–31.
- Funding: Total ₹1,500 crore (₹1,000 crore from DBT and ₹500 crore from the Wellcome Trust).
- It targets a 10–15% increase in support for women researchers.
- Expectation: Around 25–30% of collaborative programmes are expected to progress to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and beyond.
- Expansion: It will expand activities in Tier-2 and Tier-3 settings.
- Phase 1:
