ICMR being a premier research agency for formulation, coordination and promotion of Biomedical Research in the country is also engaged in promoting critical mass of human resources as well as fostering research temperament amongst medical/dental graduates. Amongst its several Human Resource Development Programs, the ICMR is providing financial support to pursuing Postgraduate candidates through NMC/DCI/NBE recognized medical institutions.

This Scheme is primarily aimed at promoting good quality research in medical/dental students pursuing post graduation courses as well as to improve visibility and accessibility of their research work to larger research audience. The highlights of Scheme are as follows:

The research topics should mainly aim and focus on the thrust areas of clinical and biomedical research as per the ICMR mandate with research outcomes of which can be used for translating them into tangible products useful for the society and country:

1.1 The scheme is advertised on the ICMR website twice a calendar year.

1.2 Candidates must apply within 12 months of registration for the course (MD/MS/DM/MCh/DNB/DrNB/MDS).

1.3 The application should be routed and forwarded through their Guide and the Head of the Institution.

1.4 The candidate and the Guide will indicate their choice of the research topic as per ICMR mandate and will give a brief description of the objectives, methodology, design of the study, expected outcome, up-to-date literature search, ethical considerations and facilities available at the institute for conducting the study as per the proposed protocol and an undertaking by Head of the Institute that the candidate will be permitted to undertake the proposed research activity.

1.5 Selection would be made on the basis of merit. Objective scoring would be used to assess the applications with respect to:

      (i) Innovativeness, relevance of work, application of research) etc.

      (ii) In the event if a candidate leave the proposed course/ scheme in the first year, the whole amount received by the candidate till date will be remitted to ICMR with suitable justification.

1.6 The application for financial assistance should include, curriculum vitae of the candidate, description of the proposed research activity (1000 words) and a honest statement of the candidate about his/her dedication to the area of proposed research.

1.7 Selection will be done by an Expert Committee duly constituted for this purpose.

2.1 Number of Awards: Limited to 100 per year (50 per batch of June and December- no. of Awards for MDS is limited to 10%, i.e. 45 seats for Medical and 05 seats for Dental).

2.2 Eligibility: Medical/Dental graduates who are admitted to the Post graduation course (NMC/DCI/NBE recognized) Medical dental Institute/ Colleges in India and who wish to avail ICMR Award for financial assistance for pursuing their thesis research project.

2.3 Candidate must be an Indian citizen. Candidate must submit Aadhar card for the award payment.

2.4 Upper age limit: 45 years of age (as on the last date of application).

2.5 Duration: Three years from the date of issue of Award letter.

2.6 The result of selected candidates will be declared on the ICMR website after the review of the applications/research proposals by ICMR.

3.1 The ICMR would provide a total financial support of Rs. 50,000/- to the selected candidates in two installments on the conditions as given below:

a. The 1st installment Rs. 20,000/- will be released upon submission of an undertaking to the effect that the funds received from ICMR will be used stictly for the purpose of which it has been awarded through the Guide and mandate form through the Host institute..

b. The second and final installment of Rs. 30,000/- subjected to the submission of the soft copy of one research publication in a peer-reviewed JCR indexed indexed journal from the thesis research work to be submitted to the ICMR within three years from the date of award letter issued by the ICMR. Failure of which the follow will not be entitled for the final installment.

c. In the event of leaving this scheme in between the first installment will have to be remitted to the ICMR with suitable justification, through the Guide.

3.2 The grant shall be issued in the name of the candidate directly, with a copy to the Guide and the Head of the Institute.

3.3 The amount will be used by the candidate for pursuance of thesis research work and may use the funds for purchase of reagents, preparation of thesis, secretarial assistance or any other activity related with the research project following fair and reasonable procedure.

3.4 The candidate shall submit the information to ICMR regarding the manner in which the funds were utilized duly signed by the Guide and Head of the Institute/College.

3.5 The candidate will acknowledge the financial assistance provided by ICMR in the publication(s) in peer-reviewed JCR indexed journals emerging out of the thesis work and in the thesis also.

IMPORTANTS NOTE:

1. Selection of the candidates is done at the sole discretion of ICMR.
2. The program can be withdrawn at any time by the ICMR.
3. This program is not linked with any other research capacity building schemes under which the students are in receipt of stipend etc.
4. Online application are usually submitted twice a year (June and December) should be submitted by the candidates after registration and all documents to be duly attested/forwarded by the Guide and certified by Dean/Principal of the Host Medical/Dental College as and when the Call for applications is open.