The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced the Call for Investigator-Initiated Research Proposals under the ICMR SMALL Extramural Grants (ICMR ANVESHAN Extramural Grants) – 2027.
The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to Indian researchers and scientists working in medical institutions and other recognized organizations to conduct research in medicine, public health, and allied disciplines.
Selected research projects can receive funding ranging from ₹10 lakh to less than ₹2 crore, with a maximum project duration of three years.
Researchers working on innovative, multidisciplinary projects addressing India’s priority health challenges are encouraged to apply.
Explore more Funding Opportunities
Important Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Agency | Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) |
| Scheme Name | ICMR ANVESHAN Extramural Grants 2027 |
| Grant Category | Small Extramural Grants |
| Nature of Funding | Investigator-Initiated Research |
| Funding Amount | ₹10 lakh to less than ₹2 crore |
| Project Duration | Maximum 3 years |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Portal | ICMR e-PMS |
| Application Start Date | 20 November 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 20 January 2027, 5:00 PM IST |
| Expected Final Results | August 2027 (Tentative) |
Research Areas Eligible for Funding
ICMR will consider research proposals under four major categories.
- Discovery Research
- Development Research
- Delivery Research
- Descriptive Research
Priority Diseases and Research Areas
ICMR has identified several priority diseases and health conditions for funding preference.
| Research Category | Priority Areas |
|---|---|
| Communicable Diseases | Tuberculosis, malaria, antimicrobial resistance, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, influenza, respiratory infections, sepsis, meningitis and vector-borne diseases |
| Non-Communicable Diseases | Cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, chronic kidney diseases, mental health disorders and chronic respiratory illnesses |
| Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health | Antenatal care, postnatal care, preterm birth, neonatal sepsis, childhood malnutrition and early child development |
| Nutrition and Women’s Health | Anaemia, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, preconception care and adolescent health |
| Other Health Conditions | Oral health, eye diseases, ENT conditions, genetic diseases, infertility, trauma and burns |
Funding Amount and Project Duration
The financial assistance available under this scheme is as follows:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Project Budget | ₹10 lakh |
| Maximum Project Budget | Less than ₹2 crore |
| Maximum Duration | 3 years |
| Additional Preparatory Period | Up to 6 months |
| Additional Funding for Preparatory Period | Not available |
Eligibility Criteria
Principal Investigators should have regular employment in an Indian institution. Contractual or temporary faculty members may also apply as Principal Investigators, subject to some conditions.
Each research proposal will be reviewed and scored by two independent experts.
Important Dates
| Activity | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Announcement of Call | 6 November 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 20 November 2026 |
| Last Date for Submission | 20 January 2027 |
| Submission Deadline | 5:00 PM IST |
| Review and Selection | February–April 2027 |
| Proposal Improvement and Final Documents | May–July 2027 (Tentative) |
| Final Results | August 2027 (Tentative) |