Published on October 25 , 2025
Delhi, India
Launched by Blockchain for Impact (BFI) on October 14, 2025, the India Reimagined Fellowship is a groundbreaking initiative designed to bridge global expertise with India’s burgeoning research ecosystem. This prestigious program offers up to USD 300,000 (approximately Rs 2.5 crore) in funding to exceptional scientists, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and innovators committed to addressing critical challenges in biomedical science and public health. By fostering collaborative projects at top Indian institutions, the fellowship positions India as a global hub for health innovation, aligning with the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” through technology-driven advancements.
Fellowship Overview and Objectives
The fellowship targets high-caliber professionals of Indian or international origin currently working abroad, encouraging them to relocate and establish sustainable “impact engines” – research labs or ventures that deliver long-term societal benefits.
- Core Focus: Tackling pressing issues like affordable diagnostics, precision medicine, public health interventions, and biotech entrepreneurship.
- Strategic Goals: Enhance India’s research infrastructure, promote knowledge transfer, and accelerate translation from lab to market.
- Scale: Limited to three fellowships per cycle, ensuring deep, high-impact engagements.
- BFI’s Role: As a philanthropy-backed organization, BFI leverages its $1 billion endowment to fuel such programs, emphasizing ethical innovation and equitable health outcomes.
This initiative builds on BFI’s broader ecosystem, including the BFI-BIOME network for healthcare startups and the Interconnect platform for collaborative R&D.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of excellence and a clear vision for impactful work in India. Nominations are institution-led to ensure robust support structures.
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Target Audience | Scientists, researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and innovators in biomedical science/public health; must be based abroad and willing to relocate full-time to India. |
| Nomination Requirement | Strictly through FCRA-approved Indian host institutions (e.g., IITs, AIIMS, CCMB); individual applications not accepted. |
| Exclusions | No parallel funding allowed; applicants must commit exclusively to the fellowship for its duration. |
| Diversity Emphasis | Open to all nationalities, with priority for projects advancing underserved communities and sustainable development goals. |
Institutions must provide a commitment letter outlining lab access, mentorship, and co-funding where possible.
Funding Structure and Benefits
The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support to minimize barriers and maximize output, disbursed directly to the host institution for transparency and accountability.
- Total Grant: USD 300,000 over three years, in three equal tranches of USD 100,000 (approx. Rs 83 lakhs each) annually.
- Covered Expenses: Project execution, lab setup, salaries/stipends, travel, equipment, and contingency funds.
- Reporting Milestones: Annual progress reports on research outputs (e.g., publications, patents); mid-term review for second tranche; final report and impact audit for third.
- Additional Perks: Access to BFI’s mentor network, incubation support via BIOME, and opportunities for follow-on funding through BFI’s venture arm.
Beyond finances, fellows gain visibility in India’s innovation corridors, fostering partnerships that could lead to scalable startups or policy influences.
Application Process and Timeline
The process is streamlined for efficiency, with rolling reviews to fast-track promising nominations.
- Step 1: Institutional Nomination: Host prepares a package including candidate’s CV, 10-page research proposal (outlining problem, methodology, impact, and milestones), two recommendation letters, and institutional endorsement.
- Step 2: Submission: Email complete package to india.reimagined@blockchainforimpact.nl.
- Deadline: January 31, 2026, for the current cycle; early submissions encouraged for priority review.
- Decision Timeline: Within 12 weeks of submission; selected nominees enter a formal agreement with BFI.
- Post-Selection: Fellows commence within 3-6 months, with orientation on compliance and ecosystem integration.
For templates and guidelines, refer to BFI’s official RFP document.
Selection Process
A rigorous, merit-based evaluation ensures fellows align with national priorities and deliver measurable outcomes.
- Review Panel: Comprises domain experts from academia, industry, and philanthropy; assesses innovation potential, feasibility, and alignment with India’s health challenges.
- Key Metrics: Track record (publications, grants), proposal quality, institutional fit, and potential for scalable impact (e.g., 15-20% improvement in diagnostic accessibility).
- Equity Focus: Balanced representation across genders, regions, and disciplines; tie-breakers favor projects with social equity components.
Only shortlisted nominees will be contacted; unsuccessful packages may be archived for future cycles.
Duration and Expected Outcomes
- Program Length: 3 years, with flexibility for extensions based on progress.
- Key Deliverables: At least 2-3 peer-reviewed publications, prototype development or clinical trials, and a sustainability plan (e.g., spin-off entity or grant pipeline).
- Long-Term Impact: Fellows are expected to mentor local talent, file patents, and contribute to policy dialogues, amplifying India’s role in global health R&D.
Expert Insights and Broader Context
Industry leaders have hailed the fellowship as a catalyst for India’s biomedical renaissance. Dr. Vijay Chandru, Co-founder of Strand Life Sciences, noted, “These reimagined fellowships, enhanced a thousandfold by private philanthropies’ $1B endowment, will lift our innovation quotient and propel us toward a Viksit Bharat where tech translation is key.” Sandeep Nailwal, BFI Founder, emphasized, “We’re bridging global expertise with Indian opportunities to ensure lasting breakthroughs in science and entrepreneurship.”
This program complements BFI’s suite of initiatives, such as the BFI-BIOME Fellowships (stipends up to Rs 1 lakh/month for early-stage innovators) and IKP-BFI collaborations for medtech prototyping, creating a robust pipeline from idea to impact.
