Fellowships are a game-changer for medical professionals diving into healthcare innovation—and not just because they look good on a CV.
Here’s why they’re especially valuable:
- Deepen Specialized Knowledge
Fellowships let you explore emerging topics like digital health, AI in diagnostics, biotech development, or health system design. They give you time and space to focus outside clinical grind—so you can actually build that healthtech idea or learn the business side of medicine. - Build a Powerhouse Network
You’ll meet other passionate changemakers—clinicians, engineers, entrepreneurs—all driven to fix healthcare from the inside.
Many fellowships offer mentorship from seasoned innovators and industry leaders who’ve walked the same path you’re considering.
Here are high-impact medtech fellowships like Stanford India Biodesign that are excellent for MBBS graduates interested in healthcare innovation, medical technology, policy, or interdisciplinary research:
1. Stanford India Biodesign (SIB) Fellowship
- Organized by: AIIMS + IIT Delhi + DBT + Stanford University
- Focus: Medtech innovation using the Biodesign process: Identify → Invent → Implement
- Duration: 1 year (full-time)
- Eligibility: MBBS, MTech, BTech, PhDs, designers with experience
- Career Outcomes: Many alumni become med-tech entrepreneurs or R&D leaders in industry.
2. C-CAMP MedTech Innovation Fellowship
- Organized by: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bangalore
- Focus: Medtech innovation, IP generation, entrepreneurship training
- Eligibility: Open to MBBS, BDS, MTech, PhDs in life sciences/engineering
- Duration: 1 year
- USP: Access to mentors, investors, and state-of-the-art labs
3. iFellowship – BETiC IIT Bombay
- Organized by: Biomedical Engineering & Technology (incubation) Centre, IIT Bombay
- Focus: Frugal medical device innovation for India
- Duration: 1 year
- Eligibility: MBBS, BDS, MTech, PhD – preference to those with product design interest
- Outcome: Many fellows file patents and start medical device ventures
4. HealthTech Fellowship – NHA & WHO Collaborating Centres (Pilot)
- Focus: Medtech Fellowships focusing on Digital health, Health data systems, HealthTech policy
- Duration: 6–12 months
- Eligibility: MBBS, MPH, or technical background with healthcare interest
- Status: Occasionally launched in collaboration with WHO SEARO, NHA India
(Watch for new openings via WHO or MoHFW career portals.)
5. India Health Systems Fellowship (Tata Trusts + TISS + NHA)
- Focus: Health system strengthening, digital health, public health innovation
- Duration: 12–18 months
- Eligibility: MBBS, MPH, policy grads, or techies in healthcare
- Outcomes: Fellows get placed in National Health Authority, Ministry of Health projects
(Check NHA or TISS regularly for new rounds.)
6. InnoHEALTH Fellowship (InnoHEALTH Magazine)
- Focus: Health innovation writing, policy, and startup ecosystems
- Duration: 6 months (remote/hybrid)
- Eligibility: MBBS or any graduate in health/tech fields
- USP: Good for networking in the health innovation industry
7. Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF)
- Not a fellowship program per se, but if you’re aiming for PhD in interdisciplinary innovation, PMRF gives generous funding.
- Eligibility: Direct PhD in IITs/IISc with excellent academic track
8. Acumen Fellowship (India Chapter)
- Focus: Leadership development for social impact
- Relevance: Great if you’re aiming to build affordable healthcare solutions or health equity startups
- Duration: 1 year (part-time)
🔗 https://acumen.org/fellowships
9. Echo India Fellowship – Project ECHO
- Focus: Tele-mentoring, capacity-building, healthcare education using ECHO model
- Duration: Varies
- Eligibility: MBBS/MD, or public health professionals interested in health access
10. BIRAC SPARSH Social Innovator Fellowship
- Organized by: BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council)
- Focus: Fund and mentor innovators developing frugal healthcare technologies
- Funding: ₹5–15 lakhs per innovator
- Duration: 12–24 months
- Eligibility: Open to healthcare innovators of any background
How to Choose?
These medtech fellowships offer healthcare professionals and students the opportunity to work on innovation and IP generation while being supported by organizations that promote innovative and out of the box thinking.
| Goal | Fellowship Fit |
|---|---|
| Build med-tech product → startup | SIB, BETiC, C-CAMP |
| Work in policy/digital health | TISS Health Systems, NHA/WHO |
| Health + Leadership development | Acumen, Echo India |
| Research + IP creation | BIRAC, PMRF |