Blockchain For Impact (BFI) has introduced the India Reimagined Fellowship, a global initiative designed to attract exceptional scientific and professional talent to India. The fellowship aims to address significant challenges in the fields of biomedical science and public health, positioning India as a hub for research and innovation in health sciences.
This program empowers a diverse group of individuals, including researchers, entrepreneurs, clinicians, and innovators, to create sustainable “impact engines” that will tackle pressing healthcare issues in the country. Each selected fellow will receive a grant of USD 300,000 (approximately INR 2.5 crores) over a span of three years, which will cover various expenses such as relocation, salary, project costs, lab infrastructure, staffing, equipment, and other approved research-related expenditures.
Applications for the fellowship are being accepted through institutional nominations only, with a maximum of three fellowships awarded in the current cycle, ensuring one fellow per host institution. The submission deadline for this cycle is set for January 31, 2026, and applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.
Dr. Vijay Chandru, Co-founder of Strand Life Sciences and Co-founder and Chairman of CrisprBits, commented on the significance of this fellowship. He stated, “After serving a tenured faculty role in the US, I believe these reimagined fellowships of BFI, enhanced a 1000 times over by an endowment of 1B$ contributed by private philanthropies, would just lift the innovation quotient of the nation and lead us to a Viksit Bharat at a stage when tech innovation and translation has to play a critical role.”
Sandeep Nailwal, the Founder of Blockchain For Impact, emphasized India”s potential, stating, “India has the talent and institutions to drive global breakthroughs in biomedical research. With the India Reimagined Fellowship, we are creating a bridge that connects global expertise with Indian opportunities, ensuring long-term impact through science, innovation, and entrepreneurship.”
To qualify as host institutions, organizations must be FCRA-approved or exempt and are expected to provide comprehensive infrastructure and administrative support. This support ensures the successful integration of the fellows and the delivery of their research outcomes. Selected fellows must commit to full-time work in India for the entire duration of their fellowship, aiming for significant and scalable results.
The India Reimagined Fellowship is a testament to BFI”s mission to stimulate profound scientific innovation by linking global expertise with India”s research landscape. This initiative represents a strategic effort to enhance long-term capacity in India”s biomedical and public health sectors while fostering global collaborations that emphasize local impact.
