Strengthening Nepal’s R&D: how to support returnee scientists and scientific infrastructure building in a LMIC
- Caroline Jarvis
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
In countries like Nepal, research and innovation often struggle to succeed. Not because of a lack of talent, but due to prevailing gaps in infrastructure, funding, policy support and loss of local researchers to other countries. Despite these challenges, change is happening - led by returnee scientists who are building a research ecosystem from the ground up.
One such scientist is Prajwal Rajbhandari, co-founder and president of the Research institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology (RIBB), based in Nepal. The institute’s aim is self-explanatory: “Empowering Nepal through the sustainable use of biodiversity: inspiring innovation, transforming lives.”
At a recent seminar hosted by JIDCuk collaborator Dr. Dipali Singh at the Quadram Institute, United Kingdom, Prajwal and his colleagues Suvechhya Bastola and Ravi Bhandari, introduced both the mission of RIBB and the broader research ecosystem in Nepal. Prajwal's work focuses on natural preservatives, traditional Nepali fermented foods and the gut microbiome. His research and focus have earned several national and international awards.
Prajwal, originally from Sarlahi, Nepal, returned to Nepal and co-founded RIBB after completing a sandwich master’s program between Kathmandu University, Nepal and Sun Moon University in South Korea. He helped establish RIBB to support young scientists and returnees - offering cutting-edge research opportunities and access to Nepal’s rich natural resources, including medicinal plants, a biobank of samples and innovative local research projects.
"I come from Nepal and collaborate closely with colleagues there, so I am aware of the challenges they face in research. Despite these obstacles, Prajwal and his colleagues at RIBB have not only advanced research in Nepal but also created opportunities for early-career researchers, demonstrating their strength, resilience, and commitment to building a vibrant scientific community." - Dr Dipali Singh
Despite the success of RIBB, there are still barriers to developing a sustainable R&D ecosystem in Nepal:
Lack of research institutions, funding agencies, legal frameworks and infrastructure.
Research institutes in Nepal lack formal legal or government recognition.
Lack of international grants, which are often limited in scope.
Lack and loss of human capital.
Still, private research institutes in Nepal now collectively train over 80 young researchers, publish 40+ international papers per year, and are creating thriving communities for collaborative, interdisciplinary science. This is the importance behind “Brain Circulation”, detailed in a recent Nature article from Prajwal and his team.
Returnee scientists bring home knowledge, networks, and a commitment to building lasting impact in their home countries. R&D in these settings is a global asset. People like Prajwal and all those working at RIBB are showing what’s possible when there is investment in local vision and scientific curiosity.
“It’s truly rewarding to see our brainchild completed its 14th year. Over this time, it has built a strong foundation and nurturing environment that has enabled young graduates to train, experiment, and test their hypotheses. It has also served as a valuable platform for returning professionals to establish their own research wings, contributing significantly to the institute’s ability to achieve its research goals throughout its growth. Today, the institute is placing greater emphasis on building a research ecosystem—one that brings together local universities, hospitals, biotech companies, and research institutes to advance the biotech sector inside the country.” - Prajwal Rajbhandari.
If you would like to watch a recording of Prajwal’s seminar, it is available on the Quadram Institute’s YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/MnW-QvvlD9w
A paper from Prajwal and his collaborators discussing Brain Circulation and the research landscape of Nepal can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43586-023-00288-x
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