Cabinet approves Phase III of DBT–Wellcome Trust Biomedical Research Career Programme
The Union Cabinet on 1 October 2025 approved Phase III of the Biomedical Research Career Programme, run by the Department of Biotechnology with the UK's Wellcome Trust, at a total cost of ₹1,500 crore.
Summary
The Union Cabinet on 1 October 2025 approved the continuation of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) in Phase III, implemented by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Wellcome Trust, UK, through the India Alliance special purpose vehicle. Phase III runs from 2025-26 to 2030-31, with six more years to 2037-38 to service fellowships and grants approved till 2030-31. The total cost is ₹1,500 crore, with DBT contributing ₹1,000 crore and the Wellcome Trust ₹500 crore. BRCP was launched in 2008-09 to offer India-based research fellowships of world-class standard, and Phase II began in 2018-19.
Key facts
- Programme
- Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP) – Phase III
- Partners
- DBT + Wellcome Trust (UK); SPV India Alliance
- Period
- 2025-26 to 2030-31 (servicing to 2037-38)
- Cost
- ₹1,500 crore – DBT ₹1,000 cr, Wellcome ₹500 cr
- History
- Launched 2008-09; Phase II 2018-19
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP), whose Phase III was approved in October 2025, is run by the Department of Biotechnology in partnership with which organisation?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Wellcome Trust, UK
BRCP is a DBT–Wellcome Trust (UK) partnership implemented through the India Alliance SPV.
Consider the following statements about Phase III of the Biomedical Research Career Programme: 1. Its total cost is ₹1,500 crore, of which the Department of Biotechnology contributes ₹1,000 crore. 2. The programme was first launched in 2018-19. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: BRCP was launched in 2008-09; Phase II began in 2018-19.