UK-based biomedical research fund Wellcome Trust and the department of biotechnology is embarking on funding researchers to encourage talent in biomedical research in India. Hyderabad-based Wellcome Trust-DBT India Alliance plans to spend £80 million over five years to develop a critical mass off biomedical researchers. The trust will offer three levels of fellowship – early career, intermediate and senior – for 70 candidates, modelled on Wellcome Trust’s international fellowships. “Indian nationals, overseas citizens of India and exceptional candidates not of Indian origin, but pursuing research in India will be eligible to apply,” Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust, said. “The biotechnology industry has seen growth rates of 20 per cent. Even during the slowdown, the industry continued to grow. There are nearly 280 biotech companies in India and we’re hoping to see more Biocons,” MK Bhan, secretary in the department of biotechnology, said. Anuradha Lohia, CEO of Wellcome Trust-DBT India Alliance, said the fund would help reverse the brain drain issue. “We will also invite world leaders to address scientists in India periodically,” she added. Bhan said that more than the funding it is the international branding and exposure that candidates will gain from. “We’re hoping to have similar initiatives in agricultural sciences. Molecular breeding, for instance, has huge potential,” Bhan said. He further said that the country is doing well in biogenetics and vaccines too.