₹5000 crore PRIP scheme opens second call to boost pharma and MedTech innovation
The second call under the ₹5,000 crore PRIP scheme will support startups, MSMEs and industry in developing innovative pharma and MedTech products, with assistance of up to ₹5 crore for
The scheme is aimed at strengthening India's research and development ecosystem and helping companies move products and technologies higher up the innovation value chain.
NEW DELHI: The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has announced the second call for applications under the ₹5,000 crore Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech (PRIP) Scheme, opening a fresh funding opportunity for startups, MSMEs and industry working on priority areas in pharmaceutical and medical technology innovation.
The scheme is aimed at strengthening India’s research and development ecosystem and helping companies move products and technologies higher up the innovation value chain. The submission window on the PRIP portal is expected to open by mid-September 2026.
The second call has been structured around two tracks — early stage and later stage — with different funding levels and technology readiness requirements.
Under the early-stage track, projects by startups and MSMEs at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1, 2 or 3 can seek support to advance their technologies to higher TRLs, up to TRL 5. Financial assistance of up to ₹5 crore will be available for each project.
Early-stage applicants will follow a two-step process, beginning with submission of a concise concept note. Projects shortlisted at this stage will subsequently be required to submit a detailed application. Eligible startups and MSMEs can submit concept notes directly, while ecosystem enablers can also submit promising projects from within their networks.
The later-stage track is open to industry, startups and MSMEs with products or technologies at TRL 4, 5 or 6 seeking to advance them to higher technology readiness levels.
Projects under the later-stage track can receive financial assistance of up to ₹100 crore per project. However, government support will be capped at 35% of the approved total project cost, with the remaining portion required to be co-funded by the applicant.
The scheme covers a range of priority areas, including the development of new medicines such as new chemical entities, new biological entities and phytopharmaceuticals; complex generics and biosimilars; and novel medical devices.
The novel medical device category includes technologies that have not previously been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). It covers AI and machine-learning-based medical devices involving software development, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), Software in Medical Device (SiMD), medical diagnostics and screening devices using genetic technology, robotic medical devices for surgical procedures, medical devices with telemedicine capabilities and novel in vitro diagnostic devices, including biomarker-based technologies supporting precision medicine.
The PRIP scheme was launched in 2023 to promote research and development in the pharmaceutical sector and strengthen India’s capacity to develop innovative products and technologies.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are among the areas covered under the scheme, reflecting the increasing role of digital technologies in pharmaceutical research, diagnostics and medical devices.
The programme also seeks to build world-class research infrastructure and expand the pool of qualified and trained talent in the sector. Industry and startups can additionally benefit from mentorship support aimed at improving the prospects of commercialising viable research outputs.
Initiatives including MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra, along with the online platform established under the scheme, are intended to facilitate collaboration and partnerships among researchers, innovators, startups, industry and other stakeholders.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals has made the scheme documents, detailed guidelines, concept-note guidance, application guidance, milestone descriptor catalogue, FAQs and an application support toolkit available through the PRIP portal.
Applicants that submitted projects under the first PRIP round have been advised not to resubmit the same project under the second call.
The second call is expected to create another opportunity for Indian startups and MSMEs developing early-stage technologies to move from proof-of-concept and prototype development towards higher technology readiness and eventual commercialisation.
The department has invited interested applicants to use the official PRIP resources and application guidance ahead of the opening of the submission window in mid-September.
