First in the World Challenge Grants 2026
ICMR's high-risk, high-reward call for health technologies that have never been attempted anywhere in the world — new vaccines, drugs, diagnostics or interventions — funded in milestone-linked stages up to ₹8 crore.
Who can apply
- Indian startups, MSMEs and industry can apply alongside academic and research institutions
- Government medical colleges, INIs, ICMR institutes, universities and recognised R&D labs
- Private institutions and NGOs registered with DSIR as research organisations (NGOs must also be on NITI Aayog's DARPAN portal)
- Each proposal needs one Principal Investigator plus at least one Co-PI from the same institution
- Idea must be genuinely first-of-its-kind globally; incremental improvements are rejected
What you get
- Proof-of-concept stage: up to ₹1 Cr over 2 years
- Prototype stage: up to ₹4 Cr over 3 years
- Final product/model stage: up to ₹8 Cr over 4 years
- Non-dilutive funding released against deliverables, with a path to the next stage
ICMR's high-risk, high-reward call for health technologies that have never been attempted anywhere in the world — new vaccines, drugs, diagnostics or interventions — funded in milestone-linked stages up to ₹8 crore. Submit only on the ICMR e-PMS portal (epms.icmr.org.in) by 30 Nov 2026, 5:30 PM IST; results expected 31 Dec 2026. Incomplete proposals are rejected before review. Selected teams must later provide an institutional undertaking, ethics (IEC) approval where relevant, and bank details.
Quick answers
What is the last date to apply for First in the World Challenge Grants 2026?
The deadline is 30 November 2026.
How much funding does First in the World Challenge Grants 2026 offer?
Up to ₹8 Cr (staged: ₹1 Cr / ₹4 Cr / ₹8 Cr).
Does First in the World Challenge Grants 2026 take equity?
No. It is non-dilutive — founders keep full ownership.
Who can apply for First in the World Challenge Grants 2026?
Indian startups, MSMEs and industry can apply alongside academic and research institutions; government medical colleges, INIs, ICMR institutes, universities and recognised R&D labs; private institutions and NGOs registered with DSIR as research organisations (NGOs must also be on NITI Aayog's DARPAN portal); each proposal needs one Principal Investigator plus at least one Co-PI from the same institution; idea must be genuinely first-of-its-kind globally; incremental improvements are rejected.
Who runs First in the World Challenge Grants 2026?
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), open to startups across India.
Want a stronger application?
Grant committees reject most applications for fixable reasons: a vague use of funds, weak financials or a deck that buries the traction. Scaler Bee prepares grant write-ups, financial models and pitch decks for founders.