The Government of India has announced the launch of the PRIP (Promoting Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech) scheme, inviting proposals from industry players, startups, and research organizations for high-impact projects aimed at strengthening India’s pharmaceutical and medical technology ecosystem. The initiative is designed to accelerate innovation, encourage indigenous product development, and foster a robust R&D culture in the country’s life sciences sector.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, is the nodal agency for implementing the PRIP scheme. As part of the current call for proposals, the government has committed to providing financial assistance of up to ₹100 crore per project, depending on the scale, scope, and strategic importance of the initiative. The funding support will be available for projects focused on breakthrough technologies, drug discovery, advanced medical devices, diagnostics, biologicals, and other areas of national health priority.

According to the government notification, proposals may be submitted by pharma and MedTech companies, MSMEs, startups, industry consortia, and academic or research institutions. The scheme encourages collaborations between industry and academia to ensure that research outcomes are effectively translated into market-ready products. Priority will be given to proposals that align with national health missions, reduce dependency on imports, or contribute to global competitiveness of Indian innovation.

The PRIP scheme has been conceptualized to complement the government’s larger vision of making India a global hub for pharmaceuticals and MedTech under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. By incentivizing research, development, and innovation, the scheme seeks to reduce India’s reliance on imported technologies and raw materials while creating a pipeline of indigenous solutions for healthcare challenges.

Industry experts believe that the scheme will create new opportunities for startups and early-stage ventures, which often struggle with funding gaps in high-risk innovation areas. The availability of grants up to ₹100 crore is expected to provide a significant boost for companies attempting to scale novel technologies from the lab to commercial markets.

The government has invited eligible applicants to submit detailed project proposals within the stipulated deadline, following which they will undergo a rigorous evaluation process based on innovation potential, feasibility, scalability, and societal impact. Shortlisted projects will receive structured funding support, monitoring, and mentoring under the scheme.

With this move, India aims to build a strong ecosystem for pharmaceutical and MedTech research, promote innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and establish itself as a trusted global leader in affordable and quality healthcare solutions.