ICMR SMALL Extramural Grants 2026 and ICMR, New Delhi (Mar 16, 2026)

The ICMR SMALL Extramural Grants 2026, also known as the “ICMR ANVESHAN Extramural Grants,” offers a significant funding opportunity for medical researchers across India. As the medical research landscape evolves, securing robust financial support becomes essential for investigator-initiated proposals. Consequently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released this call to empower faculty and scientists to drive impactful health studies.

This initiative is specifically designed to support proposals aligned with national health priorities, including communicable and non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, eligible researchers can secure funding ranging from ₹10 lakhs to less than ₹2 Crores, enabling comprehensive study execution. Therefore, researchers aiming to contribute to India’s medical advancements should review the eligibility and submission details immediately.

Program Highlights

Feature	Details
Program Title	ICMR SMALL Extramural Grants (Anveshan) 2026
Organizing Institution	Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Submission Deadline	16th March 2026 (17:00 hrs)
Budget Range	₹10 Lakhs to less than ₹2 Crores
Project Duration	Up to 3 Years

Program Overview

The ICMR ANVESHAN Extramural Grants aim to foster investigator-initiated research in medical and health sciences. Specifically, this call invites proposals that address critical health challenges faced by the nation. By providing substantial financial backing, ICMR seeks to encourage high-quality research output from both established and emerging institutions. Additionally, the program emphasizes alignment with the “4 Ds” of research, ensuring that funded projects have high relevance and potential for impact.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure the quality and feasibility of research, ICMR has established strict eligibility guidelines for applicants.

• Regular Faculty: Applicants must be regular faculty or researchers working in Indian medical or research institutes, universities, colleges, or R&D labs.
• Institutional Recognition: Applicants from government/semi-government organizations and NGOs are eligible, provided the NGO has DSIR recognition.
• Contractual Faculty: Temporary or contractual faculty in ICMR-funded projects can apply if the Institute Head assumes administrative and financial responsibility.
• Co-PI Requirement: For contractual applicants, at least one Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) must be a regular employee of the institute.
• Salary Restrictions: The Principal Investigator (PI) is not permitted to draw a salary or remuneration from this specific grant.

Priority Research Areas

Proposals that align with the identified “Priority Diseases & Conditions” will receive preference during the selection process. These areas are categorized as follows:

• Communicable Diseases: Research focusing on TB, malaria, HIV, influenza, vector-borne diseases, AMR, sepsis, and hepatitis.
• Non-Communicable Diseases: Studies addressing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, respiratory ailments, kidney disease, neurological disorders, and mental health.
• Reproductive & Child Health: Topics including antenatal/postnatal care, neonatal sepsis, preterm birth, nutrition, and adolescent health.
• Other Key Areas: Research on trauma, burns, blood disorders, oral & eye health, ENT, genetic/rare diseases, and transgender health.
• Cross-Cutting Priorities: Projects involving medical countermeasures (vaccines, diagnostics), climate change & health, ageing, disability, nursing, and medical education.

Budget and Duration

Successful applicants will receive funding designed to cover the extensive costs of medical research.

• Grant Amount: The budget allocation per project ranges from ₹10 Lakhs up to less than ₹2 Crores.
• Timeframe: The maximum duration for the research project is capped at 3 years.

Important Dates

Activity	Date
Release of Call	19th December 2025 (Friday)
Submission Start	29th December 2025 (Monday) 10:00 hrs
Submission End	16th March 2026 (Monday) 17:00 hrs
Review & Selection	July 2026
Proposal Improvement	September 2026 (Tentative)
Final Approval/Funds	October 2026 (Tentative)

Registration Details

Component	Information
Official Website	https://www.icmr.gov.in
Application Mode	Online Proposal Submission
QR Code Access	Available on the official flyer for quick access
Social Media Updates	Follow @ICMRDELHI on X and Instagram

Selection Criteria

The review process is stringent and focuses on the proposal’s scientific merit and alignment with national priorities.

• Relevance: Preference is given to proposals aligned with the “4 Ds” of research and priority disease conditions.
• Feasibility: The technical viability of the project within the 3-year timeline is critically assessed.
• Investigator Capability: The background and expertise of the PI and Co-PIs are evaluated to ensure successful project completion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible to apply for the ICMR SMALL Extramural Grants 2026?
Regular faculty and researchers in recognized Indian medical institutes, universities, and colleges are eligible. NGOs with DSIR recognition can also apply.

2. What is the maximum budget I can request?
You can request a budget ranging from ₹10 lakhs up to less than ₹2 Crores.

3. When is the deadline for proposal submission?
The submission window closes promptly on 16th March 2026 at 17:00 hrs.

4. Can contractual faculty apply for this grant?
Yes, contractual faculty can apply, provided the Institute Head takes financial responsibility and a regular employee is included as a Co-PI.

5. What are the priority areas for this research call?
Priority is given to research on communicable and non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, and cross-cutting areas like climate change and medical education.