The UNNATI initiative (Upgrading Norms for Growth and DevelopmeNt Assessment of Indian Children) Phase 2 invites expressions of interest from qualified researchers to participate in a multicentre cross-sectional study aimed at developing contemporary growth and developmental standards for Indian children aged 2 to 18 years. This initiative is led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and seeks to collect data from children who have received optimal care, ensuring the resulting standards reflect the full spectrum of healthy growth across six zones of the country.

Overview

The UNNATI study is an ongoing National Health Research Programme initiated by ICMR in 2025. Phase 1 collects longitudinal data from children aged 0–2 years. Phase 2 expands the scope by collecting cross-sectional data from children and adolescents aged 2–18 years from approximately 24 sites across six zones. The data will be pooled to generate national growth standards that bridge the critical transition age around 2 years and account for the wide variability in pubertal development. Only children meeting predefined criteria indicating no constraints to growth will be enrolled.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Regular employment in a medical institute, research institute, university, college, government or semi‑government organization, or NGO.
• A team of researchers must be identified along with the principal investigator.
• Prior experience in conducting large pre‑school‑ or school‑based studies or community‑based studies.
• Experience in studies on child and adolescent health.
• Expertise to ensure high‑quality standardized anthropometric measurements in field settings.
• Experience in body composition assessment, metabolic health, or anthropometric measurements.
• Ability to enroll 500–600 children and adolescents within 3–6 months with timely implementation.

Research Activities and Roles

Selected study teams will be responsible for the following under ICMR coordination:

• Collect anthropometric measurements from apparently healthy Indian children and adolescents aged 2–18 years.
• Collect data on health status and biomarkers (e.g., blood pressure, blood biomarkers) to assess cardiovascular and metabolic profiles using validated procedures.
• Establish a quality assurance and quality control system covering staff training, real‑time data entry, laboratory quality control, and regular audits.
• Engage a paediatrician (full‑time, part‑time, or on an honorarium basis) to counsel participants and families and oversee the assessment process.

Application Process

Expressions of interest must be submitted online only via the Google form provided below. The EoI package must include:

• A two‑page CV listing the PI and up to three additional investigators (name, qualifications, affiliation).
• A one‑page summary of the team’s research experience and publications, including up to five most relevant grants and up to five most relevant publications.
• A two‑page EoI document explicitly stating the choice of sites (states, districts, pre‑schools/schools) with rationale, and a one‑page implementation strategy covering sample selection, enrolment, inclusion/exclusion criteria, quality assurance, blood sampling, laboratory procedures, data collection, and expected challenges and mitigations.

Submission link: Google Form

Deadline and Timeline

• Release of call: 01 July 2026
• Last date for submission of EoI: 22 July 2026
• Shortlisting of EoIs: 22 August 2026
• Proposal Development Workshop: To be notified

Contact Information

For queries related to the call, contact the following programme officers:

• Dr. Aparna Mukherjee – Scientist F, Clinical Studies & Trial Unit, Division of Development Research, Acting Head, Division of Reproductive and Child Health & Nutrition, ICMR Headquarters, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi – 110029. Email: aparna.sinha.deb@icmr.gov.in, Phone: 9968408999
• Dr. Amlin Shukla – Scientist E, Division of Delivery Research, ICMR Headquarters, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi – 110029. Email: dramlinshukla@gmail.com, Phone: 8447125128