New Delhi: The PRIP Scheme, or Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech Scheme, has opened its second call for applications, with the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers inviting proposals from startups, MSMEs and industry across priority areas in pharmaceuticals and medical technology.
The PRIP Scheme, which has a financial outlay of ₹5,000 crore, aims to strengthen India’s pharmaceutical and MedTech research and development ecosystem by supporting startups, MSMEs and large companies in moving up the innovation value chain.
PRIP Scheme Applications Open Under Two Tracks
Applications under the PRIP Scheme are being invited through two tracks — Early Stage and Later Stage.
- Early Stage Projects
Under the Early Stage track, projects from startups and MSMEs seeking to advance products or technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1, 2 or 3 to higher TRLs, not beyond TRL 5, will be eligible.
These projects will follow a two-stage application process. The process will begin with the submission of a concise Concept Note, followed by a detailed application for shortlisted applicants.
Concept Notes can be submitted directly by eligible MSMEs and startups. They can also be submitted by ecosystem enablers on behalf of promising projects within their networks.
Under the PRIP Scheme, financial assistance of up to ₹5 crore per project will be provided for eligible Early Stage projects.
- Later Stage Projects
The Later Stage track covers projects from industry, startups and MSMEs that seek to take products or technologies at TRL 4, 5 or 6 to higher Technology Readiness Levels.
Eligible late-stage projects can apply directly through the detailed application form.
The PRIP Scheme will provide financial assistance of up to ₹100 crore per project. However, such assistance will be restricted to a maximum of 35% of the approved total project cost. The remainder of the approved total project cost will be co-funded by the applicant.
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PRIP Scheme Application Window to Open by Mid-September
Application forms and supporting guidance for the PRIP Scheme are available through the PRIP portal.
Applicants can refer to the Scheme and Scheme Guidelines for details regarding the programme and its implementation. For Early Stage projects, guidance is available for preparing the Concept Note, while Later Stage applicants can refer to the guidance for the detailed application form.
Other resources available to applicants include the Milestone Descriptor Catalogue and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Applicants seeking additional guidance on various aspects of the PRIP Scheme can also refer to the Application Support Toolkit.
The submission window on the PRIP portal will open by mid-September.
Applicants who submitted projects under PRIP Round 1 have been asked not to resubmit the same project.
For queries related to the application process, interested applicants can write to support-prip@pharma-dept.gov.in.
PRIP Scheme Focuses on Pharma and MedTech Research and Development
The PRIP Scheme was launched in 2023 with the objective of promoting research and development in the pharmaceutical sector, including areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
The scheme seeks to build world-class research infrastructure and deepen the talent pool of qualified and trained students.
With the aim of enhancing the prospects of commercialisation of viable outputs, industry and startups can also benefit from mentorship support provided under the PRIP Scheme.
Initiatives such as MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra, along with the online platform under the scheme, are intended to facilitate collaboration and partnership among various stakeholders.
PRIP Scheme Priority Areas
The PRIP Scheme has identified several priority areas for support across the pharmaceutical and MedTech sectors.
- New Medicines
The first priority area covers new chemical medicines and substances, including:
New Chemical Entity (NCE)
New Biological Entity (NBE)
Phyto-pharmaceuticals
- Complex Generics and Biosimilars
The scheme also identifies complex generics and biosimilars as a priority area for research, development and innovation.
- Novel Medical Devices
Novel medical devices are another key priority under the PRIP Scheme. The category covers Targeted Innovative Therapeutics and refers to medical devices that have not been previously approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
The category includes all novel medical devices, including:
- AI/ML-based medical devices with 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 facilities
- Novel in vitro diagnostic medical devices, including biomarkers, that enable precision medicine
The second call under the PRIP Scheme provides an opportunity for eligible startups, MSMEs and industry to submit projects across these identified priority areas, subject to the scheme’s eligibility and application requirements.
