NMC, ICMR invite research proposals on strengthening quality of medical education, Details
New Delhi: In a major push to promote evidence-based innovations in medical education, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Medical Commission (NMC) have invited research proposals under the joint initiative 'Research for Strengthening and Enhancing Quality of Medical Education - 2026."
The call is aimed at encouraging innovative research that can improve teaching, learning, assessment, and competency development in medical education across India.
In a public notice issued by the NMC in this regard, the NMC said that with the implementation of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) and growing emphasis on ethics, research, and skill-based learning, there is a need to generate evidence-based innovations to improve medical education.
This initiative aims to support research that develops and evaluates novel approaches for strengthening the quality of medical education across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.
As per the notice, proposals may focus on innovative teaching-learning methods, digital technologies, competency enhancement, assessment strategies, research integration, and other interventions that improve educational outcomes.
All proposals must be submitted online only through ICMR Extramural Project Management System (e-PMS). Eligible institutions and investigators are encouraged to submit their proposals as per the prescribed guidelines within the stipulated timeline, as per the details attached herewith.
HOW TO APPLY
All proposals must be submitted online only through ICMR Extramural Project Management System (e-PMS).
1 After completing mandatory section of PI profile, click on.
2 Proposal submission → Click on ‘Call for proposal’ → Click on the ‘click here’ to apply new proposal against "Call for Proposals on Research for Medical Education: A joint initiative of ICMR and NMC-2026”→ Fill in the form stepby-step.
3 Kindly ensure that all sections are adequately filled with the necessary details.
4 Inclusion of at least one Co-PI from PI’s institute is mandatory.
5 PIs are advised to submit proposals well ahead of the last date.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
This call is open to all the medical colleges/Institutions. The Head of institution must provide necessary endorsement and administrative support for the proposed research.
ELIGIBLE INVESTIGATORS
Principal Investigators (PIs) must-
1 Hold regular faculty positions in eligible medical institutions.
2 Possess relevant qualifications (MBBS/MD/MS/DM).
3 Have demonstrated some research experience/efforts in medical education.
DURATION
The project duration will be up to a maximum period of 3 years (for Anveshan/ Small Grant) or 4 years (for Nishayak Anveshan/ Intermediate Grant). For preparatory activities (without additional costs), additional period of up to 6 months may be considered as a part of the project proposal.
SUBMISSION MECHANISM
1 Detailed project proposal (as per ICMR format available on EPMS portal).
4 Curriculum vitae of PI and Co-PI, if any.
2 Institutional endorsement letter from Head of Institution.
3 Ethical clearance certificate or proof of submission to IEC/Budget justification (detailed breakdown of costs).
SELECTION PROCESS
1 Each proposal will be reviewed by at least two independent expert reviewers with expertise in medical education research using standardised scoring criteria.
2 The Project Selection Committee will give final scores taking into account reviewer’s scores and comments of all Committee members.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
1 If the same research team submits similar projects in the same call, the last submitted proposal will be considered for reviewing, and the others will be rejected without review.
2 The PI must not have more than five ongoing research proposals or the sum of grant amount of more than ₹25 cores from the ongoing research projects.
3 ICMR scientists/institutes are not eligible to apply in this call. ICMR scientists may be named as co-investigators in these projects, but no funds will be given to ICMR institutions or scientists.
4 Addition of CVs of PI & 3 Co-PIs permitted.
5 The outcomes of the study should be published in the indexed (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) journals. Publishing in Indian journals e.g IJMR is encouraged. ICMR & NMC must be acknowledged in all the publications.
To view the public notice, click the link below
