The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently held the SANVAD 2026 conclave to boost institutional collaboration and broaden exposure to various research ecosystems. The event, which took place from February 19 to 21 at the ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), featured a technical session on Health Communication – Translating Science for Impact. Discussions highlighted the importance of strategic communication in ensuring that research influences policy, builds public trust, and effectively reaches communities.
The conclave culminated with a town hall session led by Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research and Director General of ICMR. During this interactive dialogue, topics such as science–policy connections, research funding landscapes, and opportunities for young investigators were addressed. Dr. Bahl encouraged scholars to engage in meaningful research efforts and emphasized the significance of producing high-quality research papers beyond the minimum Ph.D. requirements.
Anup Anvikar, Director of ICMR–NIMR, commended the scholars for their commitment and academic excellence. He described SANVAD 2026 as a forward-thinking platform that promotes research networking, interdisciplinary discussions, and collaborative growth among Ph.D. scholars. Anvikar expressed hope that similar initiatives would be adopted by other ICMR institutes in the future, fostering a robust national research environment and nurturing upcoming scientific leaders.
SANVAD, an annual ICMR initiative, serves as a rotating national platform hosted by different ICMR institutes each year to engage doctoral scholars across the network. By decentralizing its organization, SANVAD strengthens institutional partnerships and broadens exposure to diverse research environments. The next edition of SANVAD in 2027 will be hosted by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
