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 with a financial outlay of ₹5,000 crore. The scheme aims to strengthen India's Pharma and MedTech research and development ecosystem by supporting startups, MSMEs, and large companies to advance up the innovation value chain.
Applications are invited across two distinct tracks with different funding mechanisms. For early-stage projects, startups and MSMEs can apply to take products or technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1, 2, or 3 in any priority area to higher TRLs not beyond TRL 5. These projects follow a two-stage process beginning with a concise Concept Note, followed by a detailed application for shortlisted applicants. Financial assistance of up to ₹5 crore per project will be provided under this track.
For later-stage projects, industry, startups, and MSMEs can apply to take products or technologies at TRL 4, 5, or 6 in any priority area to higher TRLs. Late-stage projects can apply directly through a detailed application form and may receive financial assistance of up to ₹100 crore per project, subject to the condition that government assistance is restricted to a maximum of 35% of the approved total project cost, with the remainder co-funded by the applicant.
The submission window on the PRIP portal (https://prip.pharma-dept.gov.in/) will open by mid-September 2026. Applicants who submitted projects under PRIP Round 1 have been specifically instructed not to resubmit the same project. The scheme provides comprehensive support resources including scheme documents, concept note guidance for early-stage projects, detailed application form guidance for later-stage projects, a Milestone Descriptor Catalogue, Frequently Asked Questions, and an Application Support Toolkit.
Priority areas for funding include New Medicines (new chemical medicines/substances including NCE, NBE, and Phyto-pharmaceuticals), Complex Generics and Biosimilars, and Novel medical devices (Targeted Innovative Therapeutics). The novel medical devices category covers AI/ML-based medical devices with software development, Software as Medical Device (SaMD) and Software in Medical Device (SiMD), medical diagnostics and screening devices with genetic technology, robotic medical devices for surgical procedures, medical devices with telemedicine facilities, and any novel in vitro diagnostic medical device including biomarkers that enables precision medicine.
The PRIP scheme, launched in 2023, promotes research and development in the Pharmaceutical sector including artificial intelligence and machine learning areas. It seeks to build world-class research infrastructure and deepen the talent pool of qualified, trained students. The scheme also provides mentorship support to enhance commercialization prospects of viable outputs and facilitates collaboration through initiatives such as MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra.