Are you an ambitious undergraduate medical or dental student in India with a spark of curiosity and an interest in delving into the world of scientific inquiry? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Short Term Studentship (STS) program could be the perfect launchpad for your research journey!

The ICMR STS program is thoughtfully designed to introduce budding doctors like you to the fundamental aspects of research methodologies, the nuances of scientific writing, and the critical principles of research ethics – all at a pivotal early stage in your professional development.

Why Embark on the STS Adventure?

The STS program offers a fantastic opportunity to acquire invaluable skills that extend far beyond your regular curriculum. Imagine honing the craft of writing scientific papers and actively participating in research studies. From the initial spark of an idea and crafting your own research proposal to meticulously conducting a literature review and compiling a comprehensive final report, STS exposes you to the exciting world of research firsthand.

This program isn't just about the present; it's an investment in your future. It actively encourages students to cultivate a research-oriented mindset that can continue to flourish even after graduation. And here's an added bonus: upon successful approval of your report, you'll also receive a stipend as a well-deserved incentive for your hard work and dedication.

Are You Eligible?

To be eligible for this enriching program, you need to be a student currently enrolled in the 1st or 2nd Professional MBBS/BDS program at a Medical/Dental college in India recognized by the NMC/DCI. Importantly, you must be in this stage before appearing for your final professional exams.

  • 1st Professional year students can undertake research work spanning from their 1st to 3rd Professional years.
  • 2nd Professional year students can carry out their research from their 2nd to 4th Professional years.
  • It's important to note that 3rd & 4th Professional MBBS/BDS students, as well as Interns and PG students, are not eligible to apply.
  • Furthermore, students enrolled in paramedical or non-medical courses are also not eligible for the STS program.

Navigating the STS Timeline 

The ICMR STS program follows a structured timeline, which is revised annually. Make sure to always refer to the official timeline for the year you intend to submit your proposal. You can find the most up-to-date information by logging into https://schemes.dhr.gov.in/.

Crafting a Winning Proposal: Key Considerations

Your research proposal is your roadmap for your STS journey. Here are some crucial aspects to keep in mind:

A. Topic Selection: Laying the Foundation

  • Choose Your Domain: Explore the diverse list of research domains available on the STS website (https://schemes.dhr.gov.in/staticweb/pdf/DHR/Downloads/HRD/STS%20Topics%20and%20Subject%20Areas.pdf). Don't feel restricted to your current year's subjects – a first-year student can certainly explore research in areas like psychiatry or Community Medicine (SPM).
  • Keep it Manageable: Opt for a topic that is relatively easy to understand and not overly complex in its execution. Overly ambitious topics can sometimes face rejection due to feasibility concerns.
  • Consider Your Study Design: Think about whether a laboratory-based or a survey-based approach aligns better with the resources available at your institution. Survey-based studies are often more practical at the undergraduate level.
  • Strive for Novelty: Avoid topics that have been extensively researched. Original ideas have a significantly higher chance of being selected. For instance, instead of "the effect of screen time on sleep quality of medical students," try to explore a less investigated angle.
  • Seek Guidance: If you're struggling to come up with a topic, don't hesitate to approach your faculty members. They can provide valuable suggestions based on their expertise.
  • The Importance of Literature Review: Once you have a topic, a thorough literature review is paramount. Research aims to build upon existing knowledge or delve deeper, so understanding what has already been done is crucial.

B. Study Design Selection: Choosing Your Approach

  • Observational Studies are Preferred: Experimental studies and clinical trials are generally not approved under the STS program.
  • Focus on Feasibility: Observational studies, such as cross-sectional and case-control studies, are typically easier to conduct at the undergraduate level and have a higher selection rate. (Cohort studies are beyond the scope of STS).
  • Resource and Time Considerations: Carefully choose a design that aligns with the resources available at your institution and the time you have.
  • Survey-Based Advantages: Survey-based studies are often less time-consuming, easier to analyze, and provide a great learning experience for new researchers.
  • Be Realistic: Avoid embarking on a study that is unlikely to be completed within the given timeframe.

C. Literature Review: Building Your Knowledge Base

Research is built upon the foundation of existing knowledge and aims to address gaps within it. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the literature on your chosen topic is essential.

  • Leverage Free Databases: Explore freely accessible databases like PubMed and Medline. PubMed, for example, offers a vast collection of biomedical and life sciences literature citations and abstracts.
  • Master the "MeSH Search": Utilize "MeSH terms" (Medical Subject Headings) when searching PubMed. These specific terms assigned to each article bring uniformity to your search results, increasing the likelihood of finding relevant articles. Think of MeSH terms as precise keywords for research articles.
  • Employ Boolean Operators: Refine your search results further using Boolean operators like AND, OR, and NOT.
  • Document Your Findings: While reviewing articles, create a separate document to note down the gaps in existing research that your study could potentially address. Also, maintain a record of the article links (references) for later citation.
  • Organize Your Thoughts: Prepare a rough draft of your literature review before discussing it with your guide.
  • Utilize Online Resources: Consider watching tutorials on YouTube about "how to use PubMed advanced search." (Links provided in Part 1).
  • Explore QMed Courses: https://www.qmedcourses.in/ offers excellent resources for understanding literature review and referencing.

D. How to Add References: Acknowledging Your Sources

A citation is crucial as it identifies the original source of an idea, information, or image used in your work.

  • Cite as You Go: Within the body of your paper, use in-text citations to acknowledge the sources of the information you've used.
  • Vancouver Style is Key: For the STS Program, all references must adhere to the Vancouver Style, which follows the guidelines established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICJME). You can learn more about this style at https://guides.lib.monash.edu/citing-referencing/vancouver.
  • Free Citation Tools: For beginners, https://www.citethisforme.com/ is a helpful and free website for generating citations.
  • Compile Your References List: At the end of your report, under the heading "References," list all your cited sources in the same order they appear in your text.

6. Choosing a Mentor: Your Guiding Light

Selecting the right mentor is paramount for a smooth and enriching STS experience, especially if you're new to the world of research. Good mentorship is the cornerstone of avoiding frustration with research methodologies and scientific writing.

  • Eligibility of Your Guide: Your guide must be a regular full-time faculty member from your own Medical/Dental College/Institution. Importantly, one guide can only supervise one student under the STS program each year. Any duplicate names of students or guides will lead to automatic rejection of all associated applications.
  • In Case of Guide Transfer: If your initial guide transfers, you can, with permission from your medical/dental college, choose another faculty member from the same department as your new guide.
  • Seek Experience: Prioritize choosing a mentor who has previously guided students in the STS program or has a strong track record of conducting research in their field. Their experience will be invaluable.
  • Consider Key Factors: Beyond experience, consider your guide's availability, their expertise in a domain relevant to your research topic, and their approachability. A mentor who is accessible and supportive can make a significant difference.
  • Share Your Vision: Once you've chosen your mentor, present the "rough draft" of your project to them. Their insights and feedback will be crucial in refining your proposal.

Remember, your guide will be an indispensable resource throughout the proposal submission and report preparation process. They will provide guidance and support during challenging phases.

7. Registration: Taking the First Official Step

  • Stay Updated on the Link: The registration link for the STS program is typically updated around March each year. Keep an eye on https://schemes.dhr.gov.in/.
  • Adhere to the Deadline: While registration usually remains open for approximately a month (for STS 2025, the last date was May 31st, 2025 - always check the timeline for your specific year), it's wise to register as early as possible to avoid any last-minute complications.
  • Provide Your Details: During registration, you'll need to provide your personal information. Following this, ICMR will send you a unique Reference ID and password via email.
  • Guard Your Credentials: This Reference ID will be your identity throughout your STS journey, so ensure you save it securely in your email or drive and don't forget it!

8. Submission of Proposal: Putting Your Plan Forward

  • Online Submission: The proposal needs to be submitted online. The deadline for proposal submission is usually slightly later than the registration deadline. Always refer to the STS Timeline for your specific year for all critical dates.
  • Essential Documents: You'll need to prepare and upload several documents, which are typically available as attachments for download on the ICMR STS website. These generally include:
    • A. Registrations Details (Part A)
    • B. Guide Details (Part B)
    • C. Attachments (Part C):
      • Application Attestation Form (AAF): This is a critical document that requires the signatures of your guide, the Head of the Department of your guide, and your Principal. Missing this form will lead to automatic rejection, so plan for this time-consuming process well in advance.
      • Ethical Committee Approval (you might need to apply for this separately after proposal submission - more on this later).
      • Study Questionnaire (if applicable)
      • Consent Form (if applicable)
    • D. Proposal Details (Part D)
  • Format Requirements: All documents must be scanned and saved separately in .pdf format before uploading them via the provided link.
  • Result Timeline: After submission, ICMR typically takes around 3-4 months to announce the results.

Important Note: Do not include your name, mobile number, or email address, or that of your guide or college, anywhere within the proposal. Proposals containing such personal information will be rejected.

9. Applying for Ethical Approval: Ensuring Responsible Research

  • Post-Proposal Submission: After you've submitted your proposal, the next crucial step is to apply for ethical approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC) at your institution (e.g., GMC, Patiala, as mentioned in Part 1).
  • Allow Sufficient Time: The ethical approval process can take 3-5 months, so it's imperative to apply as soon as possible and diligently track your application's progress.
  • Monthly Meetings: Be aware that many IECs hold meetings only once a month, so timely application is key.
  • Seek a Template: For a template of the ethical approval request, you can usually contact the Department of Community Medicine at your college.

10. Conducting the Actual Study: Bringing Your Research to Life

  • Adhere to Timelines: If your proposal is selected, you'll then proceed to carry out the research work you proposed. Remember to review the specific deadlines for your year from the ICMR STS website.
  • Ethical Clearance is Mandatory: Ensure that you conduct your research only after obtaining the necessary IEC approval. The ethical clearance letter will need to be submitted along with your final report.

11. Statistics: Making Sense of Your Data

  • Seek Expert Help if Needed: Unless you have prior experience or have taken a course in statistics for medical research, you'll likely need the assistance of a statistician at this stage.
  • Leverage Your Guide's Expertise: Your guide can provide valuable guidance on which statistical tests are appropriate for your data and how to proceed with the analysis.
  • Explore Online Resources: Consider exploring recommended courses on statistics available on platforms like Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=statistics).

12. Report Preparation: Documenting Your Findings

Resources for Success:

  • PubMed and Medline: Continuously search for publications relevant to your topic and methodology.
  • Learn from Existing Literature: Reading articles related to your chosen methodology will not only help you identify important aspects to consider during your study but also familiarize you with the scientific writing style.
  • Embrace Scientific Writing: Understand that scientific writing differs from literary writing. The more you read, the better you'll become at crafting your own proposal and report.

Plagiarism Check: Maintaining Academic Integrity

  • Utilize Online Tools: Before finalizing your report, check for plagiarism using online platforms like https://www.plagramme.com/.
  • Original Work is Essential: All submissions to ICMR must be the original work of the student under the guidance of their mentor. Your guide will need to sign an undertaking confirming the originality and lack of plagiarism. If your work is part of a larger project, only the work you personally conducted should be included in your report.
  • ICMR's Stance on Plagiarism: ICMR has a zero-tolerance policy for research misconduct and plagiarism. Any proposal or report found to be plagiarized will be outrightly rejected and categorized as "Research Misconduct."

13. Online Report Submission: The Final Step

  • Fill the Form Carefully: The Report Submission Form needs to be filled out with accuracy. If you make an error, you'll usually have an opportunity to rectify it by logging back into your account.
  • Understand the Components: The STS Report Submission Form typically has three parts:
    • A. Student Information (Part A)
    • B. Report & Enclosures to be attached (Part B):
      • MANDATORY ENCLOSURES:
        • STS Report: As a single .pdf file (up to 2Mb). Crucially, ensure there is no identifying information within the report itself. Any such information will lead to automatic rejection.
        • STS Report Attestation Form (RAF): Duly signed and forwarded by your Guide, scanned, and submitted as a .pdf file (up to 1Mb). Note that the AAF and RAF are different documents.
        • Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) Approval certificate: Scanned and submitted as a .pdf file (up to 1Mb), or a Certificate of Exemption from ethical review issued by the ethics committee. If you submitted your IEC certificate during proposal submission, it might be uploaded automatically, but you'll likely have the option to replace it if needed.
      • OPTIONAL ENCLOSURES: You can upload any other relevant documents as a .pdf file (up to 1Mb), such as IEC approval from a collaborating institution, a letter from your principal or guide, or any other supporting material.
      • Crucial Reminder: Your report cannot be submitted ONLINE without the three mandatory enclosures. Upload all attachments with utmost care.
    • C. Details of Payment of Stipend (Part C): The stipend will be issued online directly to the student's own single-holder bank account only. You'll need to provide your bank account details and a scanned copy of a cancelled cheque for verification. This cheque should be blank, unsigned, and undated – simply cancelled to prevent misuse.
  • Utilize the Self-Checklist: A helpful self-checklist is usually available for download from the ICMR STS website. While not for submission, it's a valuable tool for your own reference to ensure you've included everything.

14. What Next? The Fruits of Your Labor

  • Report Approval: If your report is approved, the stipend will be transferred to your single-holder bank account via RTGS/NEFT around the month specified in the ICMR STS Timeline.
  • Online Certificates: Certificates will be issued online to students whose reports have been approved. You can download the e-copy of your STS certificate by logging in with your report submission credentials.
  • Future Prospects:
    • If you've been selected once as a grant holder, you cannot re-apply for the STS Program. However, if you weren't selected, you can apply in subsequent years before your final year exams. Interns are not eligible.
    • If your report is selected, you can begin the process of identifying a suitable journal for publication of your study in collaboration with your guide.
    • Exercise caution to avoid predatory journals.
    • ICMR does not require any permissions for the publication process and does not take responsibility for the publication of your study. Publication in the ICMR Journal is not automatic.

15. Key Takeaways: Embracing the Research Journey

  • The ICMR STS program is an exceptional opportunity to explore your passion for research early in your medical or dental career.
  • The close collaboration with a guide offers invaluable support, especially for first-time researchers.
  • The emphasis is on presenting the genuine findings of your own study without any data manipulation, which is strictly condemned in the research world.
  • Stay vigilant about all deadlines and keep yourself updated with any announcements on the official STS website.