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Funding callMedicine and clinical research · India

First in the World Challenge Grants 2026

ICMR’s First in the World Challenge Grants 2026 invite investigator-initiated proposals from Indian institutions for novel, first-of-their-kind health research. This guide covers suitable research areas, eligibility and readiness checks, what assessment panels typically value and how to frame an ambitious yet credible proposal.

Pubrica InsightsEditorial team, reviewed by a subject specialist
Next deadline
30 November 2026
Last checked
10 November 2026
Funder
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Sources
1
Apply through the official call

Key dates

Application deadline
30 November 2026
Details last checked
10 November 2026
Apply through the official call

About the call

Funder
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Country
India
Scheme type
Project grant
Funding
As stated in the call documents
Eligibility
Investigator-initiated proposals from Indian institutions for novel, first-of-their-kind health research; at least one co-PI from the PI's own institute is mandatory.
Scope
Medicine and clinical research

Topics consistent with the call

  • Novel diagnostics or devices not previously developed anywhere
  • First-in-class therapeutic approaches for diseases of public health importance
  • Innovative vaccines or immunological strategies addressing unmet needs
  • New technologies for low-cost screening in resource-limited settings
  • Original biological discoveries with potential for health applications
  • Pioneering digital or artificial intelligence tools for health care

Based on the published scope; the official page sets out the full themes and requirements.

Is your work a fit? Check before you apply

  1. Confirm that your institution is eligible and that the proposal is investigator-initiated.
  2. Check that at least one co-PI from your own institute is included, as required.
  3. Demonstrate that the idea is genuinely novel and first of its kind, supported by a thorough review of prior work.
  4. Present feasible milestones and a realistic plan for managing high-risk research.
  5. Prepare a complete, institutionally approved proposal before the 30 November 2026 deadline.

Why This Funding Call Matters

Much health research builds incrementally on existing knowledge, while truly novel ideas can struggle to attract funding because of their risk. A scheme dedicated to first-of-their-kind research encourages Indian investigators to pursue bold ideas that could lead to new diagnostics, treatments or technologies. For researchers with a well-founded original concept, this call offers a route to test it rigorously and to position Indian institutions at the forefront of health innovation.

Who Should Apply

Academic backgrounds

  • Biomedical engineering
  • Molecular medicine
  • Pharmacology and drug discovery
  • Microbiology and infectious diseases
  • Medical informatics

Institutions and sectors

  • Medical colleges and hospitals
  • Universities and research institutes
  • ICMR and other government research institutes

What Reviewers Typically Value

  1. A clearly articulated claim of originality supported by evidence that the idea has not been achieved before.
  2. Potential for substantial impact on health if the research succeeds.
  3. A sound scientific rationale and preliminary data that make the idea credible.
  4. A strong team with the expertise and institutional support to manage risk.

Ideas You Could Develop

Point-of-care test for neglected infectionA proposal to develop a new paper-based diagnostic platform for a neglected tropical disease that currently lacks a field test.
Novel antimicrobial mechanismA project testing a first-of-its-kind compound class targeting a previously unexploited bacterial pathway.
AI-based early cancer detectionA study developing an original algorithm that detects early oral cancer from smartphone images taken in community settings.

Your Plan to the Deadline

A suggested schedule working back from 30 November 2026. Adjust it to the stage your work has reached.

  1. By 5 Oct 2026

    Read the call documents; confirm eligibility, budget limits, assessment criteria and institutional requirements.

  2. By 19 Oct 2026

    Agree the research question, aims, team and partners; contact your research office.

  3. By 2 Nov 2026

    Draft the case for support, methods, impact and budget.

  4. By 16 Nov 2026

    Obtain internal review, letters of support and institutional sign-off.

  5. By 25 Nov 2026

    Final checks against the funder’s guidance and formatting rules.

  6. By 30 Nov 2026

    Submit through the funder’s system before the deadline.

What you gain

  • Funding for the research, team and resources it needs.
  • Recognition from a competitive, peer-reviewed process.
  • Reviewer feedback that strengthens future applications.
  • A track record for larger grants and fellowships.

What happens after you apply

  1. Eligibility check: the funder confirms the application meets the call rules.
  2. Peer review: external reviewers assess the proposal against the published criteria.
  3. Panel: a committee ranks proposals; some schemes include an interview.
  4. Decision: outcomes are released on the funder’s timetable.
  5. Award: successful applicants agree terms and reporting requirements before starting.

What the Funder Are Looking For

ICMR is seeking investigator-initiated proposals for novel, first-of-their-kind health research from Indian institutions. Strong proposals typically make a convincing case for originality, show a credible scientific basis, set out a feasible plan with clear milestones and involve at least one co-PI from the principal investigator’s own institute. Funding levels and detailed criteria are not summarised here and should be confirmed in the ICMR call announcement.

Read the official pageThis guide summarises the opportunity. Confirm deadlines, eligibility and requirements on the official page before you plan your work, and record the date you checked it.Open the official page

Expert help

How Pubrica Can Help

Pubrica’s subject specialists can help you prepare a competitive proposal, planned back from the deadline. You remain the author of your work.

Grant writingProposal writing structured to the funder’s guidance and assessment criteria. Literature review and gap analysisThe evidence base and the gap your proposal addresses. Study designStudy design and methods that reviewers can assess. Statistical analysis planSample size and analysis plans for the proposal. Data management planData management and sharing plans to funder requirements. Proposal editingEditing of the full proposal for clarity and consistency.
Go to the official page

FAQs

Questions Researchers Ask

The next published deadline is 30 November 2026. Dates can change, so confirm them on the official page before you plan your work.

Applicants should present a thorough review of published literature, patents and ongoing work to support the claim of novelty. The specific evidence ICMR expects may be set out in the call, so check the official announcement on the ICMR website before submitting.

Investigator-initiated proposals from Indian institutions for novel, first-of-their-kind health research; at least one co-PI from the PI's own institute is mandatory. Confirm the full eligibility rules in the call documents.

Yes. Pubrica’s specialists can review, write, edit and format your proposal. You remain the author and the person responsible for the submission.

Sources

  1. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). (2026). First in the World Challenge Grants 2026. Retrieved 10 November 2026, from https://www.icmr.gov.in/post/call-for-investigator-initiated-research-proposals-for-first-in-world-challenge-grants-2026-last-date-november-30-2026-17-30-hrs

How to cite this page

Pubrica Insights. (2026). First in the World Challenge Grants 2026. Pubrica. https://pubrica.com/insights/calls-and-conferences/first-in-the-world-challenge-grants-2026/

  • ICMR
  • Innovation
  • Health research
  • India
  • Investigator-initiated

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First in the World Challenge Grants 2026Next deadline 30 November 2026

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