Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India has invited applications for research and innovation projects under its Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP) scheme, a landmark initiative to transform the sector into a globally competitive, innovation-driven sector. With an approved outlay of ₹5,000 crore, the scheme is expected to catalyse a Pharma-MedTech innovation pipeline by supporting around 300 projects involving total R&D investment of about ₹11,000 crore in new medicines, complex generics, biosimilars and novel medical devices.

While inviting applications, the Department has notified amendments to the scheme as notified earlier and issued revised guidelines with a view to enhance the impact of the scheme and make it better suited to address the requirements of all stakeholders.

Under the amended scheme, for early stage projects, MSMEs and startups may apply for projects costing up to ₹9 crore for assistance of up to ₹5 crore. For later stage projects, projects of industry, MSMEs and startups costing up to ₹285 crore may apply for assistance up to ₹100 crore. The scale of financial assistance for early stage projects is 100% for cost up to ₹1 crore and 50% of additional cost beyond ₹1 crore, subject to a maximum up to ₹5 crore. The scale for financial assistance for later stage projects is 35% of project cost, subject to a maximum of ₹100 crore.

Further, with a view to strengthen India’s health security framework in areas of high public health significance but relatively lower market potential, identified as Strategic Priority Innovation (SPI) areas, the amended scheme provides that assistance for later stage projects may be to the extent of 50%, subject to a maximum of ₹100 crore. Such SPI areas include specified rare diseases, antimicrobial resistance, vaccine-preventable diseases, tropical vector-borne diseases and outbreak/pandemic-causing pathogens.

Moreover, the amended scheme offers several specific incentives to industry, MSMEs and startups to collaborate with academic and research government institutions of national repute, by providing for preference in selection for up to nine projects each at early and later stages, subject to collaborative development being significant and the collaborative partners/team having strong credentials. Further, industry, MSMEs and startups may use assistance provided under the scheme to in-licence research outputs developed by such institutions, thereby linking the strengths of academia in research with those of industry and startups in developing these into viable technologies and products and taking them to market. In addition, use of funds by an assisted applicant for creating public R&D assets in such institutions as part of their approved project is incentivised under the scheme.

Besides financial assistance, the amended scheme provides for development of strong institutional enablers to further nurture the innovation journey. Dedicated industry-focussed Centres of Excellence at the seven National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) will serve as hubs of advanced research, while the NIPER Academia-Industry Coordination Committee recently constituted under Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals with joint membership from all industry associations and NIPERs will institutionalise industry-institute linkages in these institutes. Further, the scheme envisions the development of a pan-India digital Pharma-MedTech innovation exchange to connect innovators with investors, mentors, relevant government initiatives such as Patent Mitra and MedTech Mitra and global opportunities, ensuring that innovators are fully supported along their R&D journey from idea to market and a vibrant innovation ecosystem develops.

The application window has opened on 1^st October 2025 through a dedicated portal to drive a fully digital application process. Detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, timelines, instructions etc. are available on the PRIP portal (https://prip.pharma-dept.gov.in). By encouraging participation from both global and domestic players, the scheme seeks to channel greater investment into R&D, while building deeper collaborations across the ecosystem. This forward-looking approach will accelerate delivery of affordable, high-quality solutions, strengthen public health resilience and establish India as a pivotal hub for cutting-edge healthcare innovation. Above all, the scheme is an investment in shaping a healthier and more secure future for India and enhancing its contribution to a healthier world.

The notification, guidelines and website can be accessed through the links

https://pharma-dept.gov.in/important-document/notification-dated-1102025-regarding-amendments-promotion-research-and-innovation

https://pharma-dept.gov.in/important-document/guidelines-promotion-research-and-innovation-pharma-medtech-prip-sector-scheme

https://prip.pharma-dept.gov.in/

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