The Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance is an �£ 80 million initiative funded equally by The Wellcome Trust, UK and Department of Biotechnology, India. The broad aim of the India Alliance is to capacity build the Indian scientific community with outstanding biomedical scientists.

Eligibility You must be in the final year of your PhD studies or have no more than four years of postdoctoral research experience from the date of your PhD viva to the full application submission deadline. Time spent outside the research environment (i.e., career breaks) will be considered but has to be clearly mentioned in the application. Purpose: This scheme provides a unique opportunity for the most promising postdoctoral researchers to carry out research in India. Applicants are expected to identify an important biomedical research question and design a project that would help answer this question. The proposal would also suggest how the proposed work would help develop the applicant`s future independent research program. Submitted proposals are expected to be globally competitive. Applicants may wish to set up long term training or collaborative visits (work outside Host Institution) for up to 24 months. These visits may be to other leading laboratories, anywhere in the world.

What`s included The fellowship is for four years, full time and provides: Personal support for the fellow. For details see costing policies. Research expenses (materials and consumables; animals; support to attend scientific meetings; and small items of equipment, e.g. laptop) Additional allowances (travel and overseas subsistence)for work outside the Host Institution; these are scientifically justified visits of up to 24 months.

Important Dates: Preliminary application deadline: 17 August 2011 Invited full application deadline: October 2011 Selection Committee short-listing: January 2012 Interviews for short-listed candidates February 2012