Scheme opens new opportunities for startups, MSMEs and industry across priority pharmaceutical and medical technology areas
New Delhi: The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has announced the second call for applications under the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech (PRIP) Scheme, aimed at strengthening India’s research, development and innovation ecosystem in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors.
With a total financial outlay of ₹5,000 crore, the PRIP Scheme seeks to support startups, MSMEs and large industry players in developing innovative products and technologies and helping them move up the innovation value chain.
Two Tracks Open for Applicants
The second call for applications has been divided into two tracks — Early Stage and Later Stage projects.
Early-Stage Projects: Funding Up to ₹5 Crore
Under the early-stage category, projects by eligible startups and MSMEs can seek support to advance products or technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1, 2 or 3 to higher TRLs, up to a maximum of TRL 5.
The selection process will be conducted in two stages. Applicants will initially submit a concise Concept Note, followed by a detailed application for shortlisted projects.
Eligible startups and MSMEs can submit concept notes directly. Ecosystem enablers can also submit concept notes on behalf of promising projects within their networks.
Financial assistance of up to ₹5 crore per project will be available under this category.
Later-Stage Projects Can Get Up to ₹100 Crore
Under the later-stage category, projects from industry, startups and MSMEs at TRL 4, 5 or 6 can apply for support to advance their technologies to higher readiness levels.
Eligible later-stage projects can apply directly through the detailed application form.
Financial assistance of up to ₹100 crore per project can be provided. However, government assistance will be restricted to a maximum of 35% of the approved total project cost, with the remaining cost required to be co-funded by the applicant.
Application Window to Open by Mid-September
The submission window on the PRIP portal is expected to open by mid-September 2026.
Applicants who submitted projects under PRIP Round 1 have been advised not to resubmit the same project under the second round.
For queries related to the application process, applicants can contact support-prip@pharma-dept.gov.in.
PRIP Portal: prip.pharma-dept.gov.in
Key Priority Areas Under PRIP Scheme
The scheme covers several priority areas in pharmaceuticals and MedTech, including:
- New Medicines – New chemical medicines and substances, including New Chemical Entities (NCEs), New Biological Entities (NBEs) and phytopharmaceuticals.
- Complex Generics and Biosimilars.
- Novel Medical Devices and targeted innovative therapeutics.
- AI/ML-Based Medical Devices, including Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and Software in Medical Device (SiMD).
- Advanced Medical Diagnostics and Screening Devices, including genetic technology.
- Robotic Medical Devices for surgical procedures.
- Medical Devices with Telemedicine Capabilities.
- Novel In-Vitro Diagnostic Devices, including biomarker-based technologies that can support precision medicine.
Scheme Aims to Strengthen India’s Pharma Innovation Ecosystem
The PRIP Scheme was launched in 2023 to promote research and development in India’s pharmaceutical sector. Its scope includes emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
The scheme aims to build world-class research infrastructure, strengthen the talent pool of skilled researchers and improve the prospects for commercialisation of viable innovations.
Industry and startups can also benefit from mentorship support under the scheme. Initiatives such as MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra, along with the scheme’s online platform, are intended to facilitate collaboration, partnerships and knowledge sharing among stakeholders.
₹5,000 Crore Push for Pharma and MedTech Innovation
The second call under PRIP is expected to provide a significant opportunity for Indian startups, MSMEs and established companies working on advanced pharmaceutical and medical technology solutions.
By providing financial assistance at different stages of technology development, the scheme seeks to help promising innovations move from research and development towards commercialisation, while strengthening India’s position as a global hub for pharma and MedTech innovation.
