Application Deadline:
30 November 2026
About Organisation
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is India’s leading national body for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. It works to generate scientific evidence that improves public health, strengthens clinical care and advances medical technology. ICMR supports research institutions, scientists and innovators through funding programmes addressing national health priorities and emerging scientific challenges. Its research initiatives span disease prevention, diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, medical devices and other areas of biomedical science. Through competitive grant programmes, ICMR seeks to encourage rigorous research and the development of solutions that can improve health outcomes in India and contribute to scientific progress internationally
About the Grant
The ICMR First in the World Challenge Grants 2026 support ambitious research proposals seeking to create breakthrough biomedical innovations that have never previously been conceived, tested or attempted anywhere in the world. The programme is intended for high-risk, high-reward ideas with the potential to transform healthcare rather than produce only incremental improvements. Funding is structured around three development stages: proof of concept, prototype development and final product or implementation model development. Depending on the stage, eligible projects can seek funding of up to ₹1 crore, ₹4 crore or ₹8 crore respectively. Funding is linked to deliverables, and further-stage support depends on the review of project progress
Who can Apply?
The challenge is open to individual investigators or teams of researchers working within a single institution or across multiple institutions. Eligible applicants include scientists and faculty at government medical colleges, Institutes of National Importance, ICMR institutes, universities and recognised research and development laboratories. Eligible NGOs, research organisations, Indian startups, MSMEs and industries may also apply subject to the scheme’s registration and institutional requirements. Proposals must present a genuinely novel biomedical or health technology concept with significant potential impact. Each team must designate one Principal Investigator responsible for the project’s technical, administrative and financial management. At least one co-Principal Investigator from the Principal Investigator’s institution is mandatory.
How to Apply?
Applicants should prepare a detailed research proposal covering the problem statement, novelty, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, impact, implementation strategy, intellectual property status and budget. Select the appropriate development stage according to the current maturity of the innovation. Complete the mandatory Principal Investigator profile and submit the proposal through ICMR’s e-PMS portal under the First in the World Challenge call. Ensure all required sections, institutional details and supporting documents are complete. Incomplete applications may be rejected at the technical screening stage.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 30 November 2026
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
