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, creating fresh funding opportunities for startups, MSMEs and pharmaceutical and MedTech companies working on high-impact innovations.
With a total financial outlay of ₹5,000 crore, the PRIP Scheme is aimed at strengthening India's research and development ecosystem and helping promising pharmaceutical and medical technology projects move towards higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and eventual commercialisation.
Two funding tracks announced
The second call will support projects through two separate tracks — Early Stage and Later Stage.
Early Stage Projects :
Startups and MSMEs developing technologies at TRL 1, 2 or 3 can apply to advance their projects to higher TRLs, up to TRL 5. The early-stage process will begin with a Concept Note, followed by a detailed application for shortlisted projects. Eligible startups and MSMEs can submit applications directly, while ecosystem enablers can also submit Concept Notes on behalf of promising projects within their networks. Financial support of up to ₹5 crore per project will be available under this track.
Later Stage Projects :
Industry, startups and MSMEs with technologies at TRL 4, 5 or 6 can apply for support to take their projects to higher readiness levels. Eligible projects can receive financial assistance of up to ₹100 crore per project. However, government assistance will be limited to a maximum of 35% of the approved total project cost, with the remaining cost required to be co-funded by the applicant.
Focus on priority pharma and MedTech technologies
The PRIP Scheme has identified several priority areas for funding, including:
New medicines, 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
Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and Software in Medical Device (SiMD)
Genetic technology-based diagnostic and screening devices
Robotic medical devices for surgical applications
Medical devices incorporating telemedicine capabilities
Novel in-vitro diagnostic devices and biomarkers supporting precision medicine
Application window to open by mid-September
The PRIP portal submission window is expected to open by mid-September 2026. Applicants who submitted projects during the first PRIP round have been advised not to resubmit the same project.
Application forms, scheme documents, guidelines, Concept Note guidance and other supporting resources are available through the official PRIP portal.
PRIP aims to accelerate India's pharma innovation ecosystem
Launched in 2023, the PRIP Scheme was designed to strengthen research and development in India's pharmaceutical sector, including emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The initiative also seeks to develop world-class research infrastructure and expand the pool of skilled and trained talent. Industry and startups can receive mentorship support under the scheme to improve the prospects of commercialising viable research outputs.
Additional initiatives such as MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra, along with an online collaboration platform, are intended to connect researchers, startups, industry and other stakeholders.
The second call is expected to provide an important opportunity for Indian pharma and MedTech innovators to move promising technologies from early research and development toward advanced validation and commercialisation.
