ICMR Calls for Proposals to Establish Ayush-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research

This initiative aims to create an integrated healthcare system that informs future health policies. It seeks to conduct high-impact research on Integrative Health, using modern scientific methods to generate evidence in crucial national healthcare areas.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited proposals to create the Ayush-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as part of the Extramural Program.

This initiative follows a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed at an inter-ministerial level between the Union Ministry of Ayush and ICMR.

The primary objective of this initiative is to establish an integrated healthcare system that can inform future health policies and programs. It aims to promote high-impact research on Integrative Health, using modern scientific methods to generate evidence in priority areas of national healthcare importance.

The collaborative effort intends to establish Ayush-ICMR Centres for Advanced Health Research at AIIMS in phases and conduct high-quality clinical trials on identified areas or disease conditions of national significance, focusing on promising integrative therapies to produce evidence for broader acceptance.

Under this scheme, Principal Investigators (PIs) exclusively from AIIMS institutes can apply. PIs from non-AIIMS or non-Ayush institutes are not eligible. While scientists from ICMR institutes or Union Ministry of Ayush councils can be named co-investigators/Co-PIs in these projects, no funds will be allocated to scientists from these institutions.

The initiative's broad scope is to advance integrative health research by combining Ayush systems with conventional biomedicine and modern technology. This integration aims to enhance patient outcomes through innovative approaches to diagnostics, prevention, health promotion, and treatment methods.

The ICMR and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Union Ministry of Ayush will jointly fund the establishment of the Ayush-ICMR Advanced Centre for Integrative Health Research (AI-ACIHR) at AIIMS. This centre will focus on integrative healthcare research led by experienced research teams.

Proposals can only be submitted online by the PI on behalf of a team with regular employment at AIIMS. Collaborations with Ayush institutions are also permitted. The research team must demonstrate relevant skills, experience, and the ability to solve research problems in both modern and Ayush health systems.

The research initiative aims to identify knowledge gaps and priority areas where integrative medicine can make a difference. Based on the generated evidence, it will develop Integrative management protocols with inputs from both traditional and modern medicine for priority diseases. Mechanistic studies will be conducted to explain the integrative medicine approach.

Preference will be given to research teams working on solutions for the prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation of various diseases and conditions, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, autoimmune disorders, antimicrobial resistance, cancer, anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, diabetes, and more.

This endeavour seeks to bridge the gap between traditional and modern healthcare systems, fostering innovation and evidence-based approaches to healthcare across a wide spectrum of diseases and conditions.