Govt Invites Proposals Under ₹11000 Crore Pharma-MedTech Innovation Push

New Delhi, October 2: The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has opened applications for research and innovation projects under its Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP) scheme, a flagship initiative designed to transform India into a global hub for biomedical innovation. With an approved government outlay of ₹5,000 crore, PRIP is expected to catalyse an overall R&D investment of nearly ₹11,000 crore, supporting around 300 projects in new medicines, biosimilars, complex generics and cutting-edge medical devices.

Early and Later Stage Support

Under revised guidelines notified on Wednesday, the scheme will support both early and later stage projects:

• Early Stage (Idea to Prototype): Startups and MSMEs can apply for projects costing up to ₹9 crore, with assistance of up to ₹5 crore. Projects up to ₹1 crore are eligible for 100% support, while costs beyond that are covered up to 50%.
• Later Stage (Scale-Up and Commercialisation): Industry, startups and MSMEs can apply for projects up to ₹285 crore, with government support capped at ₹100 crore. Assistance will normally cover 35% of project cost, but for projects in Strategic Priority Innovation (SPI) areas—such as rare diseases, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases, and pandemic preparedness—the support will go up to 50%.

Academia–Industry Partnerships Encouraged

A distinctive feature of PRIP is its emphasis on bridging the academia-industry gap. Companies and startups collaborating with premier research institutions will be given preference in selection. Assistance can be used to:

• In-license academic research outputs for further development.
• Fund R&D assets in public institutions, strengthening India’s scientific base.
• Support joint projects in which academic partners play a significant role.

Up to nine projects at both early and later stages will be prioritised for such collaborations.

Institutional Enablers

The scheme will be anchored by a robust institutional ecosystem:

• Centres of Excellence at seven NIPERs (National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research) to drive advanced research.
• A new NIPER Academia–Industry Coordination Committee, chaired by the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, with joint representation from industry bodies and academia.
• A digital Pharma-MedTech Innovation Exchange, connecting innovators to investors, mentors, and initiatives such as Patent Mitra and MedTech Mitra.

Application Window Open

The application process went live on October 1, 2025 through a dedicated PRIP portal (https://prip.pharma-dept.gov.in), enabling a fully digital process for submissions. Detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and timelines have been published on both the Department of Pharmaceuticals and PRIP websites.

Building India’s Innovation Future

Officials said PRIP is designed not only to encourage domestic innovation but also to attract global participation, building cross-border R&D collaborations. By aligning public investment with industry-led innovation, the scheme seeks to strengthen India’s preparedness against future health crises, accelerate delivery of affordable healthcare, and reinforce India’s reputation as a major contributor to global public health solutions.

The programme, they added, reflects the government’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by investing in science and technology that directly improve health outcomes, reduce dependence on imports, and make India a leader in affordable healthcare innovation.