The Department of AYUSH has re-designed its Extra-Mural Research (EMR) scheme which aims at providing financial assistance to scientists and research and development institutions in the AYUSH segment.

The scheme is re-designed, as the off-take and output from the previous model has been limited. Scientists and research institutions looking for financial support can apply to respective research councils instead of directly applying to the Department of AYUSH as in the past.

Applications for financial assistance in the area of ayurveda and siddha will now be made to the Central Council of Research in Ayurveda & Siddha (CCRAS). Unani will make its application Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), homeopathy to Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) and yoga and naturopathy applications will be made to the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRY&N).

The research proposals will be from areas such as clinical trials, pharmacology, toxicology, standardisation and study of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and bio-availability with respect to drugs for the diseases of national and global importance, research on the preventive and promotive aspects, AYUSH practices and therapies, medico-historical investigations of AYUSH, issues relating to the use of modern technology to develop the drugs of AYUSH and study their efficacy, safety and standards etc.

The applications seeking financial assistance may be submitted to the directors of respective research councils by January 15, 2006.