Application Deadline:
30 November 2026
About Organisation
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is India’s apex organisation for biomedical and health research. It operates under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. ICMR supports research institutions, universities, hospitals, and scientists working to develop innovative solutions to major health challenges. Through its research funding initiatives, the organisation encourages scientific discoveries, technological advancement, and evidence-based healthcare interventions. Its First in the World Challenge is designed to support ambitious research ideas with the potential to generate globally significant scientific and medical breakthroughs.
About the Grant
The ICMR First in the World Challenge Grants 2026 support highly innovative research proposals aimed at developing biomedical discoveries and technologies that have not previously been conceived, tested, or implemented anywhere in the world.
The programme encourages high-risk, high-reward research with the potential to create transformative advances in healthcare. Eligible research areas include vaccines, medicines, therapeutics, diagnostic technologies, medical devices, and innovative healthcare interventions.
The funding programme operates through three stages of research development. Proof-of-concept projects can receive up to ₹1 crore for a maximum of two years. Prototype development projects can receive up to ₹4 crore for a maximum of three years. Projects focused on developing a final product or implementation model can receive up to ₹8 crore for a maximum of four years.
Funding is linked to project deliverables and the stage of technological development
Who can Apply?
The opportunity is intended for eligible investigators and research teams working through recognised research institutions and organisations in India. Applicants should have the scientific expertise, institutional support, and technical capacity necessary to undertake ambitious biomedical research.
Proposals must demonstrate genuine novelty and the potential to produce a breakthrough discovery or technology. Incremental improvements to existing knowledge or routine process innovations are not the primary focus of this programme.
Researchers should carefully review the official guidelines regarding institutional eligibility, Principal Investigator requirements, multidisciplinary collaboration, and supporting documentation.
How to Apply?
Interested researchers should visit the official ICMR website and download the First in the World Challenge Grants 2026 application guidelines. Applicants should identify the appropriate development stage for their proposed innovation and prepare a detailed research proposal explaining its scientific novelty, methodology, feasibility, expected outcomes, and potential healthcare impact.
Applications must be submitted through the designated ICMR electronic project management system, following the prescribed application format and institutional requirements.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 30 November 2026
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
Explore More Grants
Planet Health Film Fund 2026
Fish Welfare Initiative Grants India 2026
About Organisation
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is India’s apex organisation for biomedical and health research. It operates under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. ICMR supports research institutions, universities, hospitals, and scientists working to develop innovative solutions to major health challenges. Through its research funding initiatives, the organisation encourages scientific discoveries, technological advancement, and evidence-based healthcare interventions. Its First in the World Challenge is designed to support ambitious research ideas with the potential to generate globally significant scientific and medical breakthroughs.
About the Grant
The ICMR First in the World Challenge Grants 2026 support highly innovative research proposals aimed at developing biomedical discoveries and technologies that have not previously been conceived, tested, or implemented anywhere in the world.
The programme encourages high-risk, high-reward research with the potential to create transformative advances in healthcare. Eligible research areas include vaccines, medicines, therapeutics, diagnostic technologies, medical devices, and innovative healthcare interventions.
The funding programme operates through three stages of research development. Proof-of-concept projects can receive up to ₹1 crore for a maximum of two years. Prototype development projects can receive up to ₹4 crore for a maximum of three years. Projects focused on developing a final product or implementation model can receive up to ₹8 crore for a maximum of four years.
Funding is linked to project deliverables and the stage of technological development
Who can Apply?
The opportunity is intended for eligible investigators and research teams working through recognised research institutions and organisations in India. Applicants should have the scientific expertise, institutional support, and technical capacity necessary to undertake ambitious biomedical research.
Proposals must demonstrate genuine novelty and the potential to produce a breakthrough discovery or technology. Incremental improvements to existing knowledge or routine process innovations are not the primary focus of this programme.
Researchers should carefully review the official guidelines regarding institutional eligibility, Principal Investigator requirements, multidisciplinary collaboration, and supporting documentation.
How to Apply?
Interested researchers should visit the official ICMR website and download the First in the World Challenge Grants 2026 application guidelines. Applicants should identify the appropriate development stage for their proposed innovation and prepare a detailed research proposal explaining its scientific novelty, methodology, feasibility, expected outcomes, and potential healthcare impact.
Applications must be submitted through the designated ICMR electronic project management system, following the prescribed application format and institutional requirements.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 30 November 2026
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
