ICMR CAR Funding 2026
Looking for prestigious research funding to establish a Centre for Advanced Research in India? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced the Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) 2026 call under its Extramural Research Program. This initiative aims to support multidisciplinary research teams working on innovative solutions for major public health challenges. Eligible institutions for the ICMR CAR Funding 2026 can receive funding ranging from ₹8 crore to less than ₹15 crore for projects lasting up to five years. If your team has a proven research track record and a vision for impactful healthcare innovation, this is an excellent opportunity to secure substantial research funding.
About the Organization:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is India’s premier organization for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research. Through its Extramural Research Program, ICMR supports high-impact scientific research that addresses national healthcare priorities. The Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) initiative encourages experienced multidisciplinary research teams to develop innovative solutions for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and public health interventions across priority disease areas.
Opportunity Details:
- Organization: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- Programme: Centre for Advanced Research (CAR) 2026
- Scheme: Extramural Research Program
- Funding Amount: ₹8 Crore to less than ₹15 Crore per CAR
- Project Duration: Maximum 5 years
- Application Mode: Online only
- Application Portal Opens: 06 July 2026
- Eligible Applicants: Principal Investigators from eligible institutions in India
- Project Type: Single or multiple linked research projects with clearly defined deliverables
What is the CAR expected to do?
CAR is expected to conduct Decisive Research that helps in solving important public health problems. It encourages in-depth research to generate new knowledge and solutions for health problems in multiple aspects of causation, progression, management, and prevention. The proposal can have a single or multiple linked research projects with clear deliverables. The research team should have demonstrated the impact of their previous research related to the proposal. Multi-disciplinary research teams planning to undertake studies in finding solutions for prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation of the following diseases or conditions will receive preference.
Priority Research Areas:
Communicable Diseases
- Tuberculosis
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
- Malaria
- Vector-borne diseases
- HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Influenza and respiratory infections
- Gastrointestinal infections including Hepatitis
- Sepsis, meningitis, and encephalitis
- Urinary tract infections
- Infections associated with cancer
- Blood disorders including thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and clotting disorders
- One Health approach for epidemic and pandemic-prone infections
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Chronic respiratory diseases
- Neurological disorders
- Chronic kidney diseases
- Mental health disorders
- Chronic liver and gastrointestinal diseases
- Trauma and burns
- Oral health
- Eye diseases
- ENT disorders
- Genetic and inherited rare diseases
- Common surgical conditions
- Lifestyle risk factors including tobacco, alcohol, diet, and physical inactivity
Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Nutrition
- Preconception care
- Antenatal care
- Intra-partum and postnatal care
- Preterm birth and low birth weight
- Neonatal sepsis
- Early child development
- Childhood malnutrition
- Breastfeeding and complementary feeding
- Anaemia in women and children
- Common childhood illnesses
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Reproductive health
- Adolescent health
- Contraception and infertility
- Transgender health
Cross-cutting Research Themes:
- Vaccine development
- Diagnostics
- Therapeutics
- Climate change and health
- Ageing and elderly health
- Disability and rehabilitation
- Nursing
- Medical education
Eligibility Criteria for the ICMR CAR Funding:
- Principal Investigator must hold a regular position in:
- Medical Institutes
- Research Institutes
- Universities
- Colleges
- Recognized R&D laboratories
- Government or Semi-government organizations
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- The research team should possess demonstrated expertise and relevant research experience.
- Inclusion of at least one Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) from the PI’s institution is mandatory.
- Research teams with outstanding scientific achievements, recognition, and adequate infrastructure are encouraged to apply.
- ICMR scientists and ICMR institutes are not eligible to apply as Principal Investigators. However, ICMR scientists may participate as Co-Investigators without receiving project funds.
How to Apply?
- Submit applications online only through the ICMR Extramural Project Management System (ePMS).
- Complete the mandatory Principal Investigator profile.
- Navigate to Proposal Submission → Apply Proposal.
- Select “Call for Centre for Advanced Research (CAR), under Extramural Research Program, ICMR – 2026 (Concept)”.
- Complete all required sections carefully before submission.
- Upload the proposal according to Annexure 1 and Annexure 2 guidelines.
- Submit the application before the deadline to avoid server-related delays.
Important Dates:
- Call Released: 02 July 2026
- Online Portal Opens: 06 July 2026
- Last Date for Concept Note Submission: 31 August 2026 (5:00 PM)
- Review and Shortlisting: 30 September 2026
- Full Proposal Submission: 30 November 2026
- Final Selection: 01 December 2026 – 31 January 2027
Benefits of the ICMR CAR Funding 2026:
- Research funding of ₹8 crore to less than ₹15 crore.
- Support for establishing a Centre for Advanced Research (CAR).
- Funding for multidisciplinary, high-impact healthcare research.
- Opportunity to address national and global public health challenges.
- Strengthen institutional research infrastructure.
- Develop skilled health research professionals.
- Promote long-term sustainability of research centres beyond project completion.
- Enhance national and international research collaborations.
- Contribute to innovative healthcare solutions with significant public health impact.
