UCL-AIIMS, New Delhi Strategic Partner Funds 2026/27

UCL and AIIMS invite collaborative research projects and exchange activities focusing on: (i) Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare; and (ii) Oncology, including related interdisciplinary themes.

Funding is designed to support early-stage research, encourage proof-of-concept studies, and facilitate preliminary data generation—enabling teams to position themselves for larger grants in the future. Projects should aim to deliver joint outputs such as publications, patents, or applications for external funding, and foster ongoing collaboration between the two institutions.

Eligibility

Each project must have a Principal Investigator (PI) from both UCL and AIIMS. Additional co-investigators may be included. Projects cannot form part of a student thesis/dissertation, though doctoral participation—especially joint or co-supervision—is strongly encouraged.

• UCL: Eligible roles include Professors, Readers, Lecturers, Research Associates, Teaching Fellows, and postdoctoral researchers (contract must cover project duration). PhD students may not apply as PIs but may join project teams. Principal Investigators from UCL should be aware of the rules stipulated on the Partner Funds webpage here.
• AIIMS: Open to all regular faculty and scientists. Prior year (2025/26) lead applicants are not eligible to lead in 2026/27.

Priority Areas

Projects must address either or both of the following themes:

• AI for Healthcare: From clinical care and population health to health systems, public health, healthcare management, and behavioural health.
• Oncology: Including cancer diagnostics, therapy optimisation, drug discovery, imaging biomarkers, and nursing.

Cross-cutting and enabling topics are welcome (e.g. AI Ethics, Bias & Fairness, Data Interoperability). Projects should be interdisciplinary and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Value and duration

UCL: up to £5,000 per project
AIIMS: up to INR 5 lakhs per project
Project duration: Maximum 12 months

Funds must be spent in accordance with UCL and AIIMS regulations and financial timelines (UCL funds must be spent by 31 July 2027).

Timeline

How to apply

1.    Download a copy of the full guidance and read it carefully.
2.    Use the application form.
3.    All applications must be jointly developed by a Principal Investigator from UCL and AIIMS, New Delhi.
4.    The Principal Investigator from AIIMS, New Delhi must submit only one joint project proposal using the prescribed proforma. The proposal should be submitted in PDF format via email to researchsection@aiims.edu, and one hard copy must be sent to the Dean (Research),Research Section, AIIMS, New Delhi.
5.    The Research Section, AIIMS, New Delhi will send the final PDF application form to UCL for assessment after the closing date.

Contacts

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