i3c BRIC-RCB PhD Program in Biosciences

i3c BRIC-RCB PhD Program is an innovative initiative,offering cohesive, interdisciplinary research training designed to train the next-generation of bioscience leaders. This program replaces the conventional single-student- supervisor-laboratory PhD training to a team-based, inter-institutional research model. It aims to develop a cohort of highly skilled, competitive and driven researchers, adept at tackling both current and futuristic scientific challenges. A key highlight of the program is an enriching ‘on field immersion’ offering experiential learning. After six months of coursework and advanced instrumentation training at RCB, students spend three months in the field, often in rural or underserved settings. This training bridges the gap between lab research and real-world problems. By engaging directly with grassroots communities and societal issues, scholars gain a deeper understanding of scientific challenges and are inspired to use their research to create impactful solutions. Proposal seeks grant in aid for logistics and travel support during immersion training for the entire annual cohort of 250+ students of iBRIC+. A nominal support to immersion partners is proposed to acknowledge and support their role in delivering this critical on-field experience.This discretionary award will thus fund the immersion training for all PhD scholars, enabling equitable access to high-quality experiential learning across the iBRIC+ network.