Call for proposals under joint ICMR- NCG research programme:
Investigator Initiated Randomized trials in Oncology
Overview and purpose
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the apex body for formulation, coordination and
promotion of biomedical research in India. It is committed to promote, support and conduct research
to improve health of all our citizens, and to make India a global leader in Health. ICMR provides
financial assistance for Indian researchers to conduct research in the field of medicine, public health,
and allied disciplines.
The National Cancer Grid (NCG) is a large network of 300+ cancer centres, research organizations and
patient groups that was established in 2012. The NCG is working towards improving the standard of
cancer care in India through several initiatives. One of the key objectives of NCG is to support multi-
centric research in cancer to address country relevant questions and develop cost-effective solutions
for prevention and treatment of cancer.
The joint ICMR-NCG research program aims to evaluate and provide funding support to academic,
investigator-initiated projects that fulfill the following criteria.
1. Randomized controlled trials
2. Multi-centric (minimum 3 centres mandatory), preferably multidisciplinary
3. Address common cancers or problems unique to India
4. Easy and wide implementation of the research output (preference for cost-effective interventions)
5. Data sharing commitment after the completion of research
6. Involvement of patient representative / public in trial steering committee
Investigator initiated grant projects are expected to result in finding solutions to priority health
problems in oncology for the country by evaluation of interventions that are likely to improve current
outcomes of cancer control in the country. The project should lead to significant contributions in generating
effective interventions for prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment or rehabilitation of cancer.
Potential deliverables from these projects should include patent/commercial products, or impactful
publications to influence clinical or public health practice.
Note: Duplicate proposals or similar to those already submitted under Call for Investigator Initiated
Research Proposals (published earlier – date and number), will be excluded.
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Focus areas
Multi Centric clinical trials will be given preference
A. Reduce the burden of patients presenting with advanced-stage cancer via context-specific strategies at
the individual, health system and population level
1. Screening trials
2. Preventive interventional trials
3. Digital health
4. Studies to identify and overcome barriers to care
B. Improve access, affordability and outcomes in cancer care via solution-oriented research
1. Drug repositioning / repurposing
2. Dose optimization
3. Novel interventions for treatment of cancer
4. Palliative care interventions
5. Interventions to improve QoL
C. Emphasize country-level health economic assessment of cancer interventions and technologies, health
financing mechanisms and value-based care.
1. Value-based care
2. Health Technology Assessment (HTA)-driven interventional trials
D. Scale-up quality improvement and implementation research in cancer control.
1 Implementation research
2 Health services research
3 Quality improvement
E. Leverage technology to improve cancer control supported by robust scientific evidence.
1 Digital health interventions including AI
2 Novel diagnostics
Duration of project and funding: The budget for these grants should be a maximum of Rs 8 crores. The
duration of the project will be for 5 years
50% of the projects will be funded by ICMR & 50% will be funded by NCG. However, the contribution
may vary from phase to phase. A joint project monitoring mechanism will be established to review the
progress of projects.
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How to apply
A proposal can be submitted for financial support through ONLINE MODE ONLY by the Principal
Investigator on behalf of the proposed team of Scientists/ professionals who have a regular
employment in Medical Institutes/ Research Institutes/ Universities/ Colleges/ recognized Research &
Development laboratories/ Government and semi-government organizations (documentary evidence
of their recognition including DSIR certificate should be enclosed with every proposal). The research
team should have credentials for relevant skills, experience and demonstrated ability to solve health
problems under consideration.
Proposal Review Process
All the proposals will be reviewed by a team of external peer-reviewers (national and international).The
scoring criteria are as follows:
1. Rationale of the project–is it likely to solve apriority problem / answer an important research
question? 20
2. Possible impact–is it likely result in patent/commercial product,
Or influence clinical protocol/public health policy? 20
3. Methodology–are study methods appropriate to achieve the objectives? 20
4. Implementation strategy–is the study feasible in a timely manner? 20
5. Review of study team strengths and experience 20
Projects that receive a score of at least 60 will be shortlisted for review by a Project Selection
Committee. Proposal Improvement workshops with PIs would be organized by NCG and ICMR to
address comments and incorporate suggestions of the Project Selection Committee.
Timeline
Activities Date
Release of Call 31-July 2023
Last date for submission of proposal* 15-Sept 2023
Screening and short listing 30-Oct 2023
Expert committee review 15-Dec 2023
Proposal improvement & final submission of documents 31-Jan 2024
* ICMR epms portal will accept proposals against ICMR-NCG Joint call for randomized trials in
cancer between 15th August 2023, 00:00hrs IST to 15thSep-2023 17:00 hrs IST
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Important note for the submission of proposal:
1. Submission portal will open from 15th August 2023
2. Open the ICMR Electronics Project Management System (ePMS) portal https: //epms.icmr.org.in.
The user manual of e-PMS (under Guidelines → e-PMS manual) is available at the portal.
3. Project proposal submission is three steps process in e-PMS:
Step1: PI registration /Login(https:// epms.icmr.org.in/ user
Login) Step2: Verify emailed and complete/update PI profile
Step3: Proposal submission
4. After completing mandatory section of PI profile, click on “Proposal submission → Click on Call for
proposal → Click on the click here to apply new proposal against "ICMR-NCG Joint call for
randomized trials in cancer” →Fill the form step by step.
5. Please submit the budget in prescribed format
6. Inclusion of at least one Co-PI from PI’s institute is mandatory.
7. PIs are advised to submit proposal well ahead of the last date, since servers may be overloaded
and slow to respond.
8. For any queries related to the call, please contact
Dr. Nisha K Jose
Scientist E
Division of NCD, ICMR Headquarters,
V Ramalingaswami Bhawan, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029
Email:
[email protected] 9717660464
Dr Durga Gadgil
Consultant NCG
Tata Memorial Hospital
Dr Ernest Borges Road, Mumbai 400012
Email:
[email protected] 4|Page
ANNEXURE I: Format for submission of Proposal under Joint ICMR-NCG Research Programme:
Investigator Initiated Randomized trials in oncology
PART-A
1. Title of the proposed research project (upto50words): should be specific, concise and yet
sufficiently descriptive and informative.
2. Summary (up to 500words): A structured summary should contain the following subheadings:
Rationale/gaps in existing knowledge, Novelty, Objectives, Methods, and Expected outcome.
3. Does it cover a priority area? If yes please select the most appropriate one from the list below:
A. Reduce the burden of patients presenting with advanced-stage cancer via context-specific strategies at
the individual, health system and population level
B. Improve access, affordability and outcomes in cancer care via solution-oriented research
C. Emphasize country-level health economic assessment of cancer interventions and technologies, health
financing mechanisms and value-based care.
D. Scale-up quality improvement and implementation research in cancer control.
E. Leverage technology to improve cancer control supported by robust scientific evidence.
4. Keywords: Six key words separated by comma which best describe your project may be provided.
5. Abbreviations: Only standard abbreviations should be used in the text. List of
abbreviations may be given as a list.
6. Problem Statement (up to 500 words): State the currently available information to present
the problem adequately, focusing on the reported proof of concept.
7. Rationale of the study (up to 250 words): Mention how the research question addresses the
critical barrier(s) in scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or programmatic/ clinical/lab
practice and its relevance to local, national and international context with relevant bibliography.
8. Hypothesis/Research question (up to 100 words): Please provide details.
9. Study Objectives (up to 50 words/ objective): Define the objectives clearly and in measurable
terms; mention as primary and secondary objectives, if necessary.
10. Methodology: Include objective-wise work plan under the following sub-headings:
a. Study design
b. Study sites:
c. Methods (e.g.PICO)
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d. Sample size
e. Implementation strategy
f. Statistical analysis
g. Ethics aspects
11. Expected outcome/Deliverables aligned with research question (up to 100 words):
12. Future plan based on expected outcomes (up to 100 words):
13. WhetherthestudyisgoingtogeneratenewintellectualpropertyPleaseprovidedetails
14. Timelines with achievable targets: GANTT/PERT chart to be included.
PART-B
15. Preliminary evidence on the area of research proposed (upto250words):
16. Skill and experience of the research team: Highlight only salient points that provide confidence to
reviewers that team can implement the project with quality. Include brief CV of PI and Co-PI(s)
17. Institutional Support/Facilities: Mention the efforts made to achieve inter-departmental or
Inter-institutional collaboration needed for study implementation, details of coordination
between clinical, laboratory and data management procedures,:
18. Laboratory facilities (in-vitro/in-silico): institutional resources such as instruments /equipment and other
physical resources available for use in the proposed project.
19. Budget: Budget should be as per ICMR guidelines available on the website. Justifications for all
sub-headings under budget (as per ICMR format) are to be provided in detail. A separate
budget sheet may be provided for details of expenditure if necessary for clarity.
20. Conflict of Interest Declaration (if any): PI will be asked to submit declaration, if shortlisted.
21. Additional supplementary information including figures, tables, flow diagrams, etc. can be shared
as PDF (20-30 KB).
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Short Resume format (PI/Co-PI) (Maximum two pages)
Name:
Qualifications:
Designation:
Institute:
Date of Birth
Domain Expertise
Articles in Pub Med(Past10years)
H-index
Fellow of Academies / awards (top
3 only)
Maximum of 10 primary research publications (including any related to the proposal)
Publication details in AMA style
(Publications as first, last or corresponding authors)
Experience as Investigator:
Short title of Role Funding agency Amount of Reference of
project (Max.10 PI/Co-PI funding main
words) publications
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Budget
Staff/Manpower
Sl.No. Salary(As per ICMR Project guidelines)
Justification of Staff/Manpower
Equipment
Sl. Equipment Name Estimated cost with Justification Mode of
No. Quotations(Preferably of Proposed
GeM) disposal
Contingency
Detail Breakup with Justification
Year1:TotalAmount(e.g.50,000)(amount 1) Item1: 20,000/-
is just for reference) 2) Item2:30,000/-
Year2: --
Year3: --
Consumables
Detail Break up with Justification
Year1:TotalAmount(e.g.5,00,000)(amount 1) Item 1:2,00,000/-
is just for reference) 2) Item2:3,00,000/-
Year2: --
Year3: --
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Travel Allowance
Detail Justification
Year1:
Year2:
Year3:
Overhead charges (as per rules)
Grand Total
Signature of the Principal Signature of Head of the
Investigator Institute
With Stamp With Stamp
Date:
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