Indian Council of Medical Research – Call for Proposals 2026
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is officially inviting high-impact research leads through its latest Call for Proposals for the “ICMR Follow-on Intermediate Extramural Grants” (NISCHAYAK ANVESHAN) – 2026. This category is specifically designed to bridge the funding gap for Indian scientists, ensuring that promising innovations from previous ICMR projects—preferably completed within the last five years—reach their next stage of development. While this is a grant call and not a standard ICMR recruitment, the scale of funding (up to ₹8 Crores) creates high-level life sciences job opportunities by enabling Principal Investigators to build and lead robust, multi-disciplinary research teams across the country.
About the Organization
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research, standing as one of the oldest and most prestigious medical research organizations globally. As an autonomous body under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ICMR is the primary engine driving India’s medical innovation, from tackling communicable diseases like Tuberculosis and Malaria to addressing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and maternal health. For a scientist looking for more than a standard life sciences job, the ICMR Extramural Research Programme offers a gateway to national-level impact by funding researchers in universities, medical colleges, and R&D labs to solve India’s most pressing health challenges.
No.: ICMR/IDC/EPMS/CallforProposal/2025
Call for Investigator-Initiated Research Proposals for “ICMR Follow-on Intermediate Extramural Grants” (“ICMR Follow-on NISCHAYAK ANVESHAN Extramural Grants”) – 2026
Grant Overview
This intermediate-level grant is intended for large-scale, multidisciplinary projects with a focus on translation and impact.
- Budget Range: ₹2 Crores to less than ₹8 Crores per project.
- Project Duration: Up to a maximum of four years.
- Preparatory Period: An additional 6 months can be included for preparatory activities (at no extra cost).
- Target: ICMR intends to consider a maximum of 50 high-quality proposals under this call.
The Four Pillars of Funded Research
Proposals must fall under one of the following four functional categories:
- Discovery Research: Proof-of-concept studies, biomarker identification, drug discovery, organoids, AI-ML for drug discovery, and preclinical validation.
- Development Research: Creating interventions for screening/diagnosis (POC tests), medical devices, health technologies, and Phase 1-3 clinical trials.
- Delivery Research: Implementation research to overcome barriers in scaling up interventions within the national health system.
- Descriptive Research: Generating information for decision-making on disease burden, risk factors (like air pollution), and pathogenesis where data is lacking.
Eligibility & Application Criteria
- Principal Investigator (PI): Must have regular employment in an Indian medical/research institute, university, or DSIR-recognized NGO.
- Contractual Faculty: May apply if the Head of the Institute provides an undertaking and a regular employee is named as a Co-PI.
- Prior ICMR Link: Preference is given to investigators taking forward leads from previous ICMR grants.
- Restrictions: The PI must not have more than 5 ongoing ICMR projects or total funding exceeding ₹25 Crores.
- Institutional Role: ICMR scientists/institutes are not eligible to apply as PIs but may serve as unpaid Co-investigators.
Timeline & How to Apply
Applications are accepted ONLINE ONLY via the ICMR Electronic Project Management System (e-PMS).
- SUBMISSION PORTAL
- Call Open Since: December 29, 2025.
- Closing Date: March 20, 2026, 17:00 hrs IST.
- Selection Result: Tentatively expected by July 2026, with fund release by October 2026.
Participating in this Call for Proposals is a definitive step for any scientist looking to scale their research. While distinct from a direct ICMR recruitment, the NISCHAYAK ANVESHAN grant serves as a catalyst for a high-level life sciences job ecosystem, enabling PIs to build robust, well-funded laboratories. If you have a successful research lead from the last five years, ensure your proposal is submitted to the ICMR portal by March 20, 2026.
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