We invite high-quality research proposals that examine significant questions of public concern in the following areas:

Theme 1: Studies to understand how to improve health while reducing the economic burden of poor health among vulnerable groups. 

Sub-themes

• 1/A Studies focused on urban poor. 
• 1/B Studies focused on rural poor.
• 1/C Studies that work with vulnerable groups. Illustratively: people with physical or mental disabilities; elderly; migrants; children in need of care and protection; tribals; or more broadly, communities marginalised due to caste, class, language, occupation, region, or religion (Note: Gender, given its importance, is flagged as a separate theme).
• 1/D Studies that track strands of illness. Illustrative: life stage health (for example, pregnancy), communicable illness (for example, malaria), non-communicable illness (for example, diabetes), genetic disorders, occupational health hazards that significantly affect vulnerable groups.
• 1/E Other studies, i.e., those that do not fall squarely in the above sub-themes.

Theme 2: Studies to understand the functioning of, or efforts to improve, public health systems. 

Sub-themes

• 2/A Studies that engage with the structure of public health. For example, community, primary, secondary, or tertiary.
• 2/B Studies that engage with specific public health programmes and initiatives. For example, immunisation and prevention of TB.
• 2/C Studies on the public system’s response to particular groups. For example, children, adolescent girls, elderly.
• 2/D Studies on the public system’s response to particular health issues. For example, malaria, sickle cell anaemia, hypertension. 
• 2/E Studies that work on health determinants (for example, nutrition) or supplementary schemes (for example, insurance).
• 2/F Studies that focus on community-led social accountability efforts.
• 2/G Other studies, i.e., those that do not fall squarely into the above sub-themes.

Theme 3: Studies to understand the intersection of gender and health and to reduce gender disparity. Gender includes adolescent girls, the elderly, and gender and sexual minorities

Sub-themes

• 3/A Adolescent girls.
• 3/B Adult women.
• 3/C Elderly women
• 3/D Gender or sexual minorities.
• 3/E Other.

Proposals matching the following criteria are eligible to apply.

• We invite applications from researchers from public institutions and non-profit organisations. Independent researchers and those from for-profit organisations are not eligible to apply.
• Your proposed study should address a particular theme and sub-theme from the aforementioned list. 
• Organisations can submit a maximum of two applications, with no more than one application per researcher. 
• Organisations should be ready to sign a service agreement with Azim Premji University. (Please refer to the FAQs for information on service agreements) 
• Members of Azim Premji Foundation are not eligible to apply.
• Note that completed studies may be presented or published in relevant forums and media.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:

• Potential of the study to contribute to research objectives defined above.
• Scope of the study to deepen understanding of and/​​or strengthen vulnerable populations’ health, and their access (physical, economic) to quality healthcare.
• Experience of the investigators and research team relevant to undertaking research in the proposed area.
• Demonstrated ability to work with disadvantaged communities in rural or urban settings.
• Primary research only. No secondary or exploratory research will be considered. 
• Feasibility and practical application of the proposed study.
• Quality of application in terms of demonstrating an understanding of the area of the proposed study.
• Proposed utilisation of the funds prudently and thoughtfully.

• The link for submitting your applications will be active from 20 March 2025 to 30 April 2025 (the last date of submission). Interested researchers must submit the online application form along with the CVs of all collaborating investigators (PIs and Co-PIs).
• Click here to follow the step-by-step instructions for filling out the online form. 
• The online application form will seek information on aspects such as the significance of the study, the specific theme and sub-theme, identified research objectives/​questions, description of expected outcomes, methodology to be applied, indicative timeline, and budget (refer to FAQs for budget item breakdown and examples).
• All applications will undergo a detailed review before selection for the next round. Those shortlisted initially will be contacted by the team from the Foundation and requested to submit a detailed proposal. The final selection will be based on this submission.
  
  In case of any queries, write to health.​research@​azimpremjifoundation.​org