In News:

ICMR announces ‘First in the World Challenge’ to encourage scientists to find innovative ideas to tackle health issues.

Key Highlights:

• Objective:
  • Encourage bold, out-of-the-box ideas for solving difficult health problems.
  • Aim to foster novel and groundbreaking biomedical innovations (vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, interventions, etc.).
  • Target projects that are “first of their kind” and have never been tried or tested globally.
• Key Features of the Initiative:
  • Focus on Groundbreaking Innovations:
    • Emphasis on high-risk, high-reward ideas with potential for significant global health impact.
    • Excludes proposals aiming for incremental knowledge or process innovation.
  • Scope of Research:
    • Breakthroughs in biomedical and health technologies such as:
      • Vaccines
      • Drugs/Therapeutics
      • Diagnostics
      • Interventions
• Funding & Support:
  • Provides funding for projects at various stages, from proof-of-concept to prototype development and final product.
  • Support for projects that have the potential to lead to “first-of-its-kind” biomedical innovations.
• Application Process:
  • Open to individual researchers or teams (from single or multiple institutions).
  • Teams must designate a Principal Investigator responsible for the project’s technical, administrative, and financial aspects.
• Selection Criteria:
  • A selection committee will be formed with:
    • Experts, innovators, policymakers, and distinguished scientists with an outstanding research record.
    • Proposals evaluated based on originality, impact potential, and innovation.

About the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

• History:Founded in 1911 as the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA), renamed ICMR in 1949.
• Role & Mandate:
  • Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
  • Formulates, coordinates, and promotes biomedical research in India.
  • Focus on improving public health and addressing national health challenges.
• Vision:“Translating Research into Action for Improving the Health of the Population.”