as on January 1997
  
 
INDIAN COUNCIL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH (ICMR)
  
  Introduction  
 
The primary aim of the ICMR is to promote research in the country in the fields of medicine, public health and allied areas. The Council has 21 permanent institutes which are carrying out mission-oriented research in priority areas such as Communicable Diseases (including viral diseases, cholera and enteric diseases, tuberculosis, leprosy, malaria, filariasis, kala-azar, vector control etc.); Reproductive health including fertility control, Nutrition and major metabolic diseases, Food & drug toxicology, occupational health, Non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, mental diseases etc.), Immunohaematology, Pathology, Medical statistics etc. The Council has also established six Regional Medical Research Centres in different geographic areas for undertaking research on regional health problems. In addition, the Council also supports extramural research through its Centres of Advanced Research and Task Force projects, as well as by open-ended research through adhoc research proposals and fellowships.
  
  Objective  
 
 
Ad-hoc Research Scheme
 
Research Fellowships/Associateships
 
Emeritus Medical Scientist Scheme
 
Other Research Related Activities
 
Ad-hoc Research Scheme
 
 
Objective
 
 
To encourage individual initiatives in biomedical research by scientists on subjects of their own interest.
 
  Who can submit a proposal  
 
Any scientist working in permanent position in a Medical College, Research Institute, or University, including Government, Semi-Government, Private or registered bodies.
 
  When and how to submit a proposal  
 
Thirty copies of the proposal on the prescribed format to be submitted any time during the year.
  
  Areas of research support  
 
Financial support is provided by the Council in all areas related to health and biomedical sciences. However, among the priority areas identified by the ICMR, are the following:
 
 
 
Communicable diseases including viral diseases, cholera and enteric diseases, tuberculosis, leprosy, malaria, filariasis, kala-azar, vector control etc.
 
Reproductive health including fertility control - Maternal and child health - Nutritional and major metabolic disorders
 
Primary healthcare, alternative health care systems - Non-communicable diseases including degenerative, mental, cardiovascular, neurological, ophthalmic and haematological disorders, oral health, cancer etc.
 
Occupational and other environment related health problems
 
Drug research including medicinal plants and indigenous/ or traditional systems of medicine.
 
Basic medical research in disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, genetics etc.
 
Energy Conservation
 
  Components of grant  
 
Research staff, equipment, contingencies and travel allowance.
  
  Items not allowed out of grant  
 
Basic infrastructure and building, international travel, costly equipment.
  
  Mechanism of implementation and monitoring  
 

Proposals are reviewed by respective Project Review Committees (PRCs) for different subject areas. Most of these projects are also reviewed by subject specialists before being considered by the PRCs. The final approval is given by DG,ICMR.

The PI is required to submit annual progress report which are evaluated by PRCs with or without additional peer review.

Five to ten copies of the PCR are to be submitted. The PCR is reviewed by PRC and the Scientific Advisory Group of the technical division. Abstract of the work is published in the ICMR Bulletin. Copies of the PCR are retained in the respective technical divisions. One copy is kept by the Integrated Research Information System.

Research Fellowships/Associateships
 
  Objective  
 

Junior and Senior Research fellowships provide opportunities to bright young men and women to persue research and training invariable leading to Ph.d/M.D. etc. under experienced researchers/investigators of repute in the field of biomedicine. Research Associateships are awarded to encourage young research workers who already have good quality published work to their credit to pursue research work in biomedicine on specific research programmes as Post Doctoral Fellow.

 
  Who can submit a proposal  
 

Any young scientist who fulfils the prescribed criteria of age and educational qualifications can submit application to ICMR to carry out research at research institutes, medical colleges and universities where adequate lab and other facilities are available. Upper age limit is 30 years for JRF, 35 years for SRF and 40 years for RA.

  
  When and how to submit a proposal  
 

The application in duplicate in the prescribed format can be submitted any time during the year.

  
 
Areas of research support
 
 
Health and biomedical sciences.
  
  Components of grant  
 
Fellowships and contingencies.
  
 
Items not allowed out of grant
  
 
International travel, equipment, vehicle, office furniture.
  
  Mechanism of implementation and monitoring  
 

The proposals received are reviewed by Project Review Committees (PRC)/Expert Groups. Most of the proposals are also reviewed by subject specialists before being considered by the PRCs. All projects involving research on human being must be cleared by Ethical Committee of the respective institute.

 
 

The Fellow is required to submit half yearly and annual progress reports as per the prescribed standard proforma and guidelines. Continuation of the fellowship to subsequent years depends upon the progress of the work.

  
 

Six copies of the PCR are required to be submitted. This is evaluated by the subject experts. The PCR is placed before the PRC for final acceptance. Copies of the PCR are retained in the respective technical divisions. One copy is kept by the Integrated Research Information System.

  
 
Emeritus Medical Scientist Scheme
 
 
Objective
  
 

The Council has a limited number of positions of Emeritus Medical Scientists. The scheme is designed to assist those senior active working scientists who are totally free to continue active research work in their speciality.

 
 
Who can submit a proposal
  
 

Scientists, who have retired or are about to retire and who have held before their retirement, posts of the status of a Professor/Associate Professor in a Medical College or of Director/Deputy Director in an Institute of national status, or scientists with comparable scientific experience and attainments in an organisation of the Council and who have been actively engaged in biomedical research of a high standard.

  
 
When and how to submit a proposal
 
 
Application/nomination is invited by advertisement once a year.
  
 
Areas of research support
  
 
Biomedical sciences
 
 
Components of grant
 
 
Honorarium, staff support and contingencies.
  
 
Items not allowed out of grant
  
 
Items other than mentioned above.
 
 
Mechanism of implementation and monitoring
 
 

The selection is made on the recommendation of a selection ommittee constituted by DG, ICMR. Other Research Related Activities
  1)
Short Term Visiting Fellowships

The objective of this programme is to provide an opportunity to a scientist employed in a medical college, research institute, university etc. and actually engaged in research in the field of biomedicine to learn advanced research techniques in use in other institutes in India. Application for the fellowship can be submitted on the prescribed form against advertisement. The candidate is provided single first class to and fro rail fare and an allowance of Rs.60/per day for the actual period of training.
  ii) Short Term Research Studentship

The objective is to promote interest for research among medical undergraduates. Under this programme financial assistance is provided to undergraduate medical students to familiarise themselves with research methodologies and techniques by being associated with their seniors on ongoing research programmes for a short duration. Application in the prescribed form in duplicate can be submitted to ICMR before 15th March. The studentship is awarded for two months during the summer vacation. The value of the fellowship is Rs.250/-p.m.

  iii)
National Task Force projects

This scheme aims to undertake research on areas of national priority through centrally commissioned programmes on a time bound basis with specific objectives and targeted outcome. Scientists with expertise and infrastructure available to undertake such activities are identified by the council and are invited to participate in the National Task Force Projects.

  iv)
Centres for Advanced Research
 
 

This scheme aims to undertake indepth research on a specifically identified research problem with the aim of reaching a scientific conclusion for disease causation or progression, management or prevention. A scientist with outstanding achievements and recognition in any field of study can approach ICMR with a specific proposal. In some cases ICMR also calls for application from selected individuals/centres in the country which have process excellence in the same area and have the necessary infrastructure to carry out further work.

 
 
Contact Address
 
 
The Director-General
 
 
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  
 
Ansari Nagar
  
 
New Delhi - 110 029
  
     

 

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