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UCL and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi are inviting collaborative research projects and exchange activities from the fields of healthcare and medicine.

A joint research seed fund has been established to promote interdisciplinary and collaborative research between UCL and AIIMS, New Delhi. This fund supports projects to develop proof of concept, generate initial data, and obtain additional grants from international agencies. The goal is to expand research groups, stimulate synergistic activities leading to joint publications and patents, and attract further external funding. Success will be assessed based on contributions to joint research activities and the ability to secure additional funding.

Eligibility

1. There should be at least two principal investigators (PIs) – one from each institution. There may also be co-PIs from the same or other departments provided that there are no financial implications to the concerned department/faculty.
2. The project work should not be part of the thesis/dissertation work of a resident or PhD student.
3. Applications are open to UCL staff members with the following roles:

• Professor/Professorial Teaching Fellow or equivalent
• Reader or equivalent
• Senior Lecturer/Principal Researcher/Principal Research Associate/Senior Teaching Fellow or equivalent
• Lecturer/Senior Research Associate/Teaching Fellow or equivalent
• Post Doc/Researcher/Post Doc Fellow/Research Associate or equivalent are eligible provided the contract covers the spend and activity period.

Please note:

• Applicants are not required to have a doctorate to apply, but do need to hold a role at one of the levels described above
• PhD students are not eligible to apply, but PIs are encouraged to include PhD students in their project

4. For AIIMS, New Delhi staff members, the call is open to all faculty members and scientists.

Collaborative activities

The call for proposals is open to three specific areas, namely:
1. Non-communicable diseases (for example, obesity and cancer) and their risk factors 
2. Climate change and healthcare
3. Rare diseases

In addition, allied areas such as technical services, nursing, genomics and community engagement are also eligible provided they are explicitly linked to the above three areas.Ìý

Collaborative activities may be based on joint research projects set up by faculty/staff members from both institutions.Ìý

We would encourage projects of an interdisciplinary nature that demonstrate a pathway to impact and focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.Ìý

Value and duration

Funding Envelope
Funding will be jointly provided by UCL and AIIMS
UCL and AIIMS have allocated £20,000 and Rs. 20 lakhs respectively for this call for 2024 – 2025.Ìý
Value of Award
Up to four successful proposals will receive an award.
Each successful proposal receiving up to £5,000 (from UCL) or Rs. 5 lakhs (from AIIMS).
Duration of Award
A maximum of 12 months.

How to apply

1. Before submitting your application, please ensure you read the funding guidelines in full: 

   ucl-aiims_funding_guidelines_2024-2025.pdf

   ucl-aiims_funding_guidelines_2024-2025.pdf
2. The AIIMS-UCL project proposals are to be prepared and submitted jointly.
3. Compilation of submissions will be handled by AIIMS, New Delhi. It is therefore crucial that »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË faculty, in particular the Principal Investigator, liaise closely with their AIIMS, New Delhi counterpart who will be responsible for filling in this project proforma.
4. The AIIMS, New Delhi PI must ensure that their UK counterpart is in full agreement on all aspects of the proposal. A confirmation of this will be needed as part of the submission process.
5. The Principal Investigator from AIIMS, New Delhi should submit only one joint proposal using the proforma at , where instructions for submission and the project proforma can be found.
6. The full joint project proposal should be submitted by AIIMS, New Delhi to both the office of the Dean (Research) at AIIMS, New Delhi and the Senior Partnership Manager (South and Southeast Asia) at »Ê¼Ò»ªÈË by Friday 4th October 2024 by 6:00pm UK time, 11.30pm Indian Standard Time for adjudication.

Timeline

Contacts

For any clarification points or questions about the joint call, please do not hesitate to contact the colleagues listed below: