UCL-AIIMS-IITD trilateral call for collaborative research in medical technologies 2026/27

UCL academics can now apply for funding through a new trilateral call between UCL, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi).

UCL academics can apply for up to £5000 (Stream A – one year duration) and £20,000 (Stream B, £10,000 per annum for a two year project) as part of a new trilateral funding call between UCL, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.

Projects will enable teams of researchers across all three institutions to co-develop medical technologies that can be made affordable, accessible and available to those who need them.

Projects

Projects must bring together clinical, engineering, and scientific expertise from AIIMS, IIT Delhi, and UCL, and clearly address the development of affordable, accessible, and scalable solutions in medical technology. All proposals must be interdisciplinary, demonstrate a credible pathway to clinical, societal, policy, or industrial impact, and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where possible.

Proposals must focus on one of two thematic areas:

• Precision Medicine: Genomics & multi-omics, AI for precision health, diagnostics & biomarkers, personalised therapeutics, digital health, population health, clinical translation.
• Assistive Technologies: Mobility & rehabilitation, neurotechnology, sensory technologies, communication, human–machine interaction, wearables, smart environments, frugal innovation, ageing or paediatric tech.

Projects not demonstrating trilateral collaboration, not addressing a translational or applied focus, or lacking a clear impact pathway will not be considered.

Eligibility

• AIIMS: Regular faculty and scientists.
• IIT Delhi: Regular faculty, subject to GRP programme rules.
• UCL: Professors, Readers, Lecturers, Research Associates, Postdocs (contracts through July 2027). PhD students may not apply as PI but can join project teams.
• Each proposal must have a Principal Investigator from each institution.

Value and duration

• Stream A (Short-term): 1 year, TRL 1–3, up to £5,000 (UCL), INR 5,00,000 (AIIMS), INR 5,00,000 (IITD) per project. Up to 4 projects will be funded.
• Stream B (Long-term): 2 years, TRL 3+, up to £10,000/year (UCL), INR 10,00,000/year (AIIMS), INR 10,00,000/year (IITD). Up to 2 projects funded.
• Funding covers research staff, consumables, contingency, and (for Stream B only) travel between partner institutions (capped at INR 1.5 lakhs per partner).

Timeline

How to apply

• Please read this guidance carefully before applying. 
   
• Applicants should also refer to the following institutional guidance and requirements for IIT Delhi:

• GRP Guidelines
  IIT Delhi Institute Ethics Clearance
  IBSC Clearance Form

• The application form must be prepared jointly by PIs at AIIMS, IITD, and UCL, with full agreement on all aspects and relevant departmental/institutional approval.

• The lead UCL applicant should upload the completed application, including details of all PIs and co-applicants, CVs, a two-page case for support, project plan, budget, ethics statement, and supporting documents, as a single PDF (maximum 20 pages) to the online portal by 19 June 2026, 6pm UK time / 10:30pm Indian Standard Time.

• All project costs must be clearly provided for consideration.

Contacts

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