Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. Its main focus has been in biomedical research and the need of finding practical solutions to the health problems of the country.

History of ICMR

In 1911, the Government of India set up the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) with the specific objective of sponsoring and coordinating medical research in the country. There were several changes made in the organisation and activities after Independence and was redesignated as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 1949. However, even after functioning for several years, the Council is aware that it still has miles to go in pursuit of scientific achievements as well as health targets.

Research Areas of ICMR

The main research areas of the Council are:

Control and management of communicable diseases
Fertility control
Maternal and child health
Control of nutritional disorders
Developing alternative strategies for health care delivery
Research on major non-communicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, blindness, diabetes and other metabolic and haematological disorders
Mental health research and drug research (including traditional remedies)

Intramural Research

Intramural research is carried out currently through the Council's 26 Research Institutes/Centres and address specific research areas like tuberculosis, leprosy, cholera and diarrhoeal diseases, viral diseases including AIDS, malaria, kala-azar, vector control, nutrition, reproduction, immunohaematology, oncology, medical statistics, etc;

5 Regional Medical Research Centres that address regional health problems, and also aim to strengthen or generate research capabilities in different geographic areas of the country.

Extramural Research

Extramural research is promoted by ICMR by setting up centres for advanced research in areas around existing expertise and infrastructure in selected departments of Medical Colleges, Universities and other non-ICMR Research Institutes.
Task force studies which emphasise a time-bound, goal-oriented approach with clearly defined targets, specific time frames, and often a multicentric structure.
Open-ended research on the basis of applications for grants-in-aid received from scientists in non-ICMR Research Institutes, Medical colleges, Universities etc. located in different parts of the country.

Fellowship Offered by ICMR

In addition to research activities, the ICMR encourages human resource development in biomedical research through

Research Fellowships
Short-Term Visiting Fellowships
Short-Term Research Studentships
Various Training Programmes and Workshops conducted by ICMR Institutes and Headquarters