Preamble
The
DHR is a newly-created department in the Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare for the purpose of promoting health research in the
country as improved health care with early diagnosis of the disease is
also dependent on promotion of health research. The DHR is launching a
scheme “Grant-In-Aid for Inter-sectoral Convergence and Promotion
and Guidance on Research Governance Issues”. This scheme covers
promotion and co-ordination of basic, applied and clinical research
including clinical trials and operational research in areas related to
health, medical, biomedical and medical profession and education and
management of related information thereto. It also addresses inter-sectoral
coordination and promotion of public- private partnership in medical,
biomedical, & health related areas, specially which have public
health implications.
Objectives
The
main aim is for supporting research to identify the leads whose
products / processes would have public health relevance and take them
to logical conclusion. This would enable development of products by
fostering link with industries, academia and other stake holders.
Primarily, the scheme aims at providing the impetus to the processes
that will help diagnostics and drugs, therefore, to their logical
conclusion through product development and testing for introduction
into public health use. The scheme proposes to extend support for
undertaking projects in close coordination with other
departments/agencies and to attract health research personnel serving
abroad in identified areas to come back to India for doing research in
identified areas. In addition, it also seeks to address gender-based issues relating to women and health like
vulnerability to diseases, access to testing and health services,
mobility, care and support, etc.
Who can submit a proposal
The assistance is provided by way of grants to
scientists in regular employment in the Universities, medical
colleges, postgraduate institutions, recognized research and
development laboratories and NGOs. (Applications from non-governmental
agencies should provide documentary evidence of registration, track
record etc.) Collaborative research between industry and academia is
encouraged as such links would help to promote the development of
tools important for public health. Funds will be released to
recognized research institutions recognized by DSIR / DHR.
When and how to submit a proposal
Normally
the duration of the project would be 3 years. However, for the
present, considering the fact that the scheme is to be implemented
only during the 11th Plan period, the proposals which could be
completed within a period of one year from the date of approval of the
project only would be taken up for consideration.
Thirty copies
of the complete project proposals application along with a copy in
electronic mode may be submitted within 4 weeks from the date of this
advertisement (by 31st
January 2012). All projects involving research on human beings/animals
must be cleared by the Human Ethics Committee/ Animal Ethics Committee
of the respective institute.
·
Application Form (including
format for annual report, final report etc.)
·
Format for Annual
Progress Report
·
Format for Final Report
Areas of research support
·
Technologies to support translational and implemental research
programme in public health
·
For development of leads, translation of leads / Product Development
–by involving the Institutes and Industry, including NRI, PIO, OCI,.
etc.
·
To pursue research in
areas which are very relevant to our country with special focus on knowledge management and technology
access to
marginalized and under privileged
sections
·
To create expert groups (by Scientific / Professional / Association
/ Bodies) to develop guidelines, etc.
·
To attract health research personnel serving abroad (NRI, PIO, OCI)
in critical areas to come to India
for undertaking research
in identified areas
·
To develop projects to be executed in close coordination with other
scientific departments, in overlapping areas. Few examples (*
illustrative but not exclusive):
ü
Diagnostic
and vaccine design and development of guidelines for application of
new generation technologies e.g. with Department of Biotechnology*,
DRDO*, etc.
ü
Zoonosis
and Nutrition e.g. with Department of Agricultural Research &
Education / Indian Council of Agricultural Research*, etc.
ü
Use
of GIS & remote sensing in relation to human health e.g. with
Department of Space*
ü
Climate
change and health as well as impact of transgenic/ recombinant
technology e.g. with Ministry of Environment & Forests*, etc.
ü
Therapeutics e.g. with Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research / Council for Scientific & Industrial Research*, etc.
ü
Developing basic technology/ knowledge in areas pertaining to basic
biology, polymers, devices, bioinstrumentation and other life science
related areas such as nanotechnology e.g. with Department of Science
and Technology*, etc.
·
To develop guidelines / protocols for prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases
·
To study gender-based issues relating to women and health like
vulnerability to diseases, access to testing and health services,
mobility, care and support, etc.
Components of grant:
Research staff, Contingencies, Travel and
Overheads.
Normally, equipment too are provided. However,
for the present, considering the fact that the scheme is to be
implemented only during the 11th Plan period, the proposals which could be
completed within a period of one year from the date of approval of the
project only would be taken up for consideration. Therefore, at the
present time, equipment may not be provided.
Mechanism of implementation:
(i) Procedure followed in
approving a new project
The proposals received as per the prescribed
format of DHR are reviewed by the appropriate ICMR Committees
constituted by the DHR. The criteria adopted in evaluating such
project proposals include the relevance to the topic to the identified
areas, availability of basic infrastructure in the host Institution
and capability of the applicant to undertake the project. Normally the
duration of the project is usually for 2-3 years. However, for the
present, considering the fact that the scheme is to be implemented
during the 11th Plan period, only the proposals which could
be completed within a period of one year from the date of approval of
the project would be taken up for consideration.
(ii) Project Monitoring
Mechanism :
a. Annual Progress Report
(I) For 3 Year Projects
The Annual Report is to be submitted annually
in the prescribed format. The first annual report should be submitted
about three months prior to the completion of the annual period so as
to enable the evaluation and provide the grants within the completion
of one year from the starting date. The subsequent annual reports
would then be for the period of one year.
(II) For 1 Year Projects
For the present, considering the fact that the
scheme is to be implemented only during the 11th Plan period and that only proposals which
could be completed within a period of one year would be taken up for
consideration, the first progress report would need to be submitted
within a period of 6 months after the start of the project.
b. The progress of the project would be
evaluated by the DHR through specific Committees.
c. The funds will be released in instalments
and subsequent instalments will only be released after evaluating the
progress made by the Principal Investigator / Institution by the Task
Force Committee. Normally, where projects are for 3 years duration,
annual reviews would be undertaken. However, for the present call
which is limited to consideration of projects which are doable within
a period of one year, the review would be conducted after a period of
6 months following the start of the project before releasing the
second instalment.
d. If the project is not upto the mark, the PI
will have to refund the entire grant.
e. A delay in receipt of the report in time
for consideration by the committee may lead to termination of the
project.
f. The PI may be asked to present the progress
at the meeting of the Committee, if considered necessary.
g. The suggestion and views of the Committee
and mid-course correction, if any, would be conveyed to the PI from
time to time for effective conduct of the project. This would be
binding on the PI.
h. Prior permission of the Department shall be
obtained if the investigator desires to discontinue the scheme before
the expiry of the approved duration and the consolidated report of the
work done is to be provided to the Department for review.