Three-Day National Conclave Strengthens Doctoral Research, Innovation and Policy Linkages
New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, organised SANVAD 2026 (Scholars’ Assembly for Next-gen Ventures to Advance their Development) from February 19 to 21, 2026, at the ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research in New Delhi. The annual initiative serves as a national platform to engage doctoral scholars across the ICMR network.
SANVAD has been conceptualised as a rotating forum, hosted each year by different ICMR institutes to promote sustained academic engagement and decentralised collaboration. Following the successful 2026 edition at NIMR, the 2027 conclave will be hosted by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad.
The programme aims to enhance the quality and rigour of doctoral research, foster innovation, and prepare scholars for leadership roles in India’s knowledge ecosystem. It provides structured opportunities for interaction with leading experts from academia, industry, and policymaking, while strengthening research capacity and collaboration.
SANVAD 2026 brought together nearly 400 doctoral scholars along with senior scientists, academicians, policymakers, and research leaders from across the country. The three-day event created a vibrant environment for intellectual exchange and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Among the distinguished speakers, Anil Kumar Gupta, founder of Honey Bee Network, encouraged scholars to pursue research rooted in grassroots innovation and societal needs. In sessions on innovation and clinical research, experts emphasised translating scientific knowledge into tangible community impact and bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient care.
A major highlight of the conclave was the technical session on Health Communication – Translating Science for Impact. Discussions focused on the importance of strategic communication in ensuring that research outcomes effectively inform public policy, build trust, and reach communities. Speakers stressed that impactful research must extend beyond publication to meaningful societal influence.
The final day featured a Town Hall interaction with Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR. He urged scholars to avoid “tick-box research” and go beyond minimum academic requirements by contributing high-quality scientific publications, while learning to manage professional pressure constructively.
The conclave concluded with a valedictory session and awards ceremony recognising outstanding research presentations. In his closing remarks, Anup Anvikar, Director of ICMR-NIMR, described SANVAD 2026 as a visionary platform fostering research networking and collaborative growth, expressing hope that similar initiatives would be institutionalised across ICMR institutes nationwide.
