Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh has launched phase 3 of the Biomedical Research Career Program (BRCP) with a total outlay of INR 1,500 crore, including INR 1,000 crore from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and INR 500 crore from London-based Wellcome Trust, UK.

Launching the program, Dr. Singh said that biotechnology is set to become the defining force behind India's next phase of economic growth, scientific advancement and global competitiveness, asserting that the country is no longer a participant but an emerging leader in the biotechnology revolution.

The minister further said that India's bioeconomy has expanded nearly 20-fold, from USD 10 billion in 2014 to over USD 195 billion in 2025, and is projected to touch USD 300 billion by 2030, reflecting the rapid transformation of the sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He also notified that India today hosts nearly 12,000 biotechnology startups, has emerged among the world's leading vaccine manufacturers, and is steadily strengthening its position as a global biotechnology hub.

Describing biotechnology as one of the most significant drivers of the emerging global knowledge economy, Dr. Singh said that the discipline has moved beyond scientific laboratories and is now influencing economic policy, industrial growth and national development strategies. He said biotechnology is increasingly being recognised as the foundation of the next industrial revolution, placing India in a strong position to lead global innovation through scientific research, entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing.

The minister said that the BRCP has evolved far beyond a fellowship initiative and has established itself as one of India's most respected scientific career platforms. He also mentioned that the initiative has strengthened researchers not only through financial support but also by enhancing their scientific credentials, international visibility and professional opportunities. Over the past 18 years, he said, the programme has developed into a prestigious institution that continues to attract and nurture scientific excellence.

Dr. Singh described the partnership between the Government of India and Wellcome Trust as a model of sustained international scientific collaboration and philanthropy. He said the program demonstrates how long-term partnerships can accelerate scientific discovery, develop world-class human resources and build research ecosystems capable of addressing national as well as global health challenges. He also called for greater participation by philanthropic institutions and industry, observing that while India possesses abundant scientific talent and innovative ideas, sustained financial partnerships remain essential for translating research into technologies, diagnostics and affordable healthcare solutions

The minister further noted that the Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, approved phase 3 of BRCP with a total outlay of INR 1,500 crore, including INR 1,000 crore from DBT and INR 500 crore from Wellcome Trust, ensuring continued support for fellowships and research grants. The program, he said, seeks to nurture a globally competitive biomedical research workforce comprising basic scientists, clinician-researchers, public health experts, science communicators and research managers while creating greater opportunities for interdisciplinary and collaborative research. He added that the initiative would also attract new philanthropic and international partnerships, multiplying the impact of India's investments in biomedical science.

The minister also said that the government has consistently created an enabling policy environment for frontier scientific research. Referring to recent reforms, he said India has expanded opportunities for private participation in strategic research areas, including nuclear medicine, which will significantly strengthen future healthcare innovation. He emphasised that closer integration of research institutions, industry and startups from the earliest stages of scientific development would accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into products and technologies benefiting society.

Prof. Dame Fiona Powrie, Deputy Chair, Board of Governors, Wellcome Trust, UK, described the 18-year partnership between DBT and Wellcome as an enduring example of how international collaboration can strengthen science and improve global health. She said science advances through collaboration across disciplines, institutions and countries, while meaningful health outcomes depend upon solutions tailored to local realities.

She said phase 3 places greater emphasis on interdisciplinary and team-based research capable of addressing complex biomedical challenges and translating discoveries into practical healthcare applications. She also appreciated the program’s contribution in supporting hundreds of researchers and training thousands of young scientists who are now contributing to globally recognised institutions.

Launched in 2008, BRCP has supported more than 500 researchers, strengthened biomedical research across over 200 institutions, trained thousands of students and early-career scientists, and generated globally recognised scientific contributions. Phase 3 will expand support for outstanding researchers across different career stages, promote collaborative and translational research, strengthen India's biomedical innovation ecosystem and accelerate the development of technologies, diagnostics and healthcare solutions that address national priorities while enhancing India's global scientific leadership.

Prof. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT and Director General, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), said the BRCP has emerged as one of the department's flagship international partnerships since its inception in 2008.

He said the program has played a transformative role in building scientific leadership, strengthening research institutions and creating globally competitive biomedical researchers. He also said that the long-term approval framework for phase 3 provides continuity and stability to the program, enabling sustained investments in scientific talent and research excellence aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.