PhD program at BRIC-inStem-January 2027

The BRIC-Institute for Stem Cell Science & Regenerative Medicine (instem.res.in), Bangalore, is an autonomous institute under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. BRIC-inStem’s mandate is to establish collaborative research programs in the field of stem cell biology, regeneration, and repair in development and disease, with translational emphasis. In order to develop strengths in focused areas, research at BRIC-inStem is driven through collaborative interdisciplinary research addressing questions that are beyond the scope of a single laboratory.

PhD program at BRIC-inStem-January 2027 intake

BRIC-inStem invites applications from eligible candidates to apply for the Ph.D. program at inStem for the PhD session starting January 2027. Key research areas at inStem include developing human stem cells and organoid systems to study developmental and congenital disorders, cardiovascular development and disease, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, barrier tissue dysfunction and metabolic control. Additionally, chemical biology approaches provide tools for research and to generate therapeutic solutions. BRIC-inStem is at the forefront of discoveries and inventions and progressing very rapidly to translation and the clinic.

Minimum Qualifications to Apply
1. M.Sc./ Integrated M.Sc in any branch of Science (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics), M.Tech., M.Pharm, M.B.B.S., four-year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification as per the norms of RCB and from a recognised University or institution.
2. Candidates with a Master’s degree must possess a minimum of 60% marks (or an equivalent CGPA / First Class) in both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Candidates applying directly with a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree must possess a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate (or an equivalent CGPA) as per UGC guidelines.
3. A 5% relaxation in marks (or an equivalent relaxation of grade/CGPA) will be allowed for SC/ST/OBC- NCL/differently-abled (Divyangjan) candidates as per Government of India norms, UGC guidelines, and the Ordinances of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB).
4. Candidates must have an eligible national fellowship that can be activated in 2027. The fellowship includes UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR JRF (fellowship), and similar competitive fellowships offered by the Govt of India, valid for a period of 5 years.

Note : Candidates who qualified for JGEEBILS and/or GATE-only cannot be considered.

Reservation : Reservation policy will be followed as per the Government of India norms. SC/ ST/ OBC (NCL) candidates are required to submit certificates in respect of their claims from authorised officers as notified by the Government for the purpose from time to time. The differently-abled (with a minimum of 40% disability) candidates are required to submit a certificate from authorised Medical Doctors/ Hospitals indicating the extent of physical disability.

Application Fee (Only Online) : UR, EWS & OBC Candidates- ₹ 472/- (₹400/- plus 18% GST). Bank/ Transaction Charges are to be borne by the candidate.

Exemption from Payment of Application Fee : As per the prevailing guidelines of the Government of India, (i) SC/ST community (ii) Female and PwD category of any community are exempted from application fees upon submission of valid certificates.

Payment of Application Fee : The application fee is to be paid online using a Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking/UPI. Application Fees paid by the candidates who have not submitted their applications, or whose applications are not shortlisted, will not be refunded. All applicable service charges, bank charges, etc., shall be borne by the applicants. The confirmed payment of application fees is required for a completed application.

Selection Procedure
1. Eligible candidates who have qualified for any of these fellowships must apply online through the website, Click Here. The complete application must include proof of qualification for fellowship through any of the above examinations (UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR JRF fellowship/ similar competitive fellowship offered by the Govt. of India), degree certificates (provisional where applicable), a completed application form including past academic performance, a statement of research experience, a brief scientific statement of purpose, and two reference letters.
2. Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadlines will not be considered.
3. The shortlisting of eligible candidates for Round 1 will be based on the evaluation of the candidate based on a combination of past academic performance, research experience, research aptitude, and other criteria listed by the screening committee. The list of candidates short-listed for round 1 of the interviews shall be available on the BRIC-inStem website about two weeks after the application deadline.
4. The first round of interviews (R1) will be held in online mode, in the second week of November 2026 (tentatively).
5. The second round of interviews (R2) will be held in-person in the First week of December 2026 (tentatively). Candidates who qualify in the first round of interviews are required to attend the interviews during these dates in person in order to be considered. 6. For R1 and R2, a 5% relaxation will be made for reserved candidates, viz. SC/ST/OBC-NCL/Differently Abled (Divyangjan).
7. The final list of selected candidates will be announced on the BRIC-inStem website.
8. Candidates selected for admission will be enrolled in the Ph.D. program of BRIC-inStem, with academic affiliation to the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad.
9. A waiting list may optionally be included, where all candidates on the waiting list qualify, after satisfying all criteria above. The waiting list may be operated or not if and when an admitted student declines the offer.
10. Students offered admission will have sufficient time to accept or decline admission. The PhD program at BRIC-inStem will commence in the first week of January 2027

Application procedure
1. Eligible candidates should submit their applications through the online application portal only.
2. For queries regarding the January 2027 intake online admission portal, please email to phd@instem.res.in
3. Candidates must ensure that the details furnished in the online application are true and correct. If any discrepancy is observed at any stage, BRIC-inStem reserves the right to cancel the admission.

General Terms and Conditions
1. Admitted students will be required to activate their fellowship (UGC/CSIR/DBT/ICMR JRF fellowship and similar competitive fellowships offered by the Govt. of India) from the date of joining and may avail them as per the rules of the respective funding agency. No support from the institute core funding or EMG will be given.
2. BRIC-inStem and the BLiSC campus is a residential campus, and hostel accommodation will be offered to all the students admitted to the program as per availability, on payment of applicable charges.
3. Only those candidates selected through interviews will receive an offer letter for admission to the Ph.D. program at BRIC-inStem. Incomplete or ineligible applications will be rejected, and no correspondence shall be entertained in this regard. The institute is not responsible for consequences arising from furnishing incorrect or incomplete details in the application. If any information given in the application is incorrect/false, the application and candidature may be considered terminated. The candidature may be cancelled at any time if the candidate is not eligible as per the norms.
4. A relaxation of 5% marks (or an equivalent relaxation of grade/CGPA) for candidates belonging to SC / ST / OBC (NCL) and Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) will be applicable as per Government of India norms, UGC guidelines, and the Ordinances of the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB).
5. Candidates must fill in their correct and active e-mail addresses in the online application, as all correspondence will be made by the institute through e-mail only. The final selection is made based on performance in the interviews. 6. BRIC-inStem strives to have a gender-balanced workforce that reflects an all-India character. Hence, candidates from all over the country and female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
7. Candidates are required to assess their eligibility for the program before remitting the fee. No claim for refund of the fee paid will be entertained.
8. Degrees etc. in support of educational qualifications should have been awarded by a recognised University/ Institute from Central/State Government regulatory bodies like UGC, AICTE, etc. The Institute reserves the right to carry out post-verification of the qualification cited by a candidate. 9. The institute has the right to decide the mode of screening and testing the applicant for selection.
10. In case of any dispute/ambiguity that may occur in the process of selection, the decision of the competent authority, BRIC-inStem, in all matters relating to eligibility, acceptance, or rejection of applications will be considered as final.

11. Mode of selection, and the conduct of the interview will be final, and no query or correspondence will be entertained in this connection from any individual.
12. The institute reserves the right to fill or not to fill the available seats, subject to the availability of suitable candidates.
13. The Institute reserves the right to interpret all rules, including wherever it is not specifically mentioned, and may cancel the candidature without assigning any reason (s).
14. It may be noted that candidature for admission will remain provisional till the veracity of the concerned documents is verified by the institute.
15. BRIC-inStem does not assume any responsibility for the candidates not being able to submit their applications by the last date for any reason or for any other reason beyond the control of the institute. Please note that the online mode is the only valid procedure for applying. No other mode of application or incomplete steps would be accepted, and such applications would be rejected. Any information submitted by an applicant in his/ her application shall be binding on the candidate personally, and he/she shall be liable for prosecution/ civil consequences in case the information/ details furnished by him/ her are found to be false at a later stage.
16. Candidates shortlisted for admission will have to produce original documents for verification in support of their application regarding the reservation category, educational qualification, etc.
17. Any resultant dispute arising out of this January 2027 PhD program at BRIC-inStem advertisement shall be subject to the sole jurisdiction of the Courts situated at Bengaluru only.

The last date for receipt of online application: 21st October 2026.