PRIP Scheme Round 2: Centre opens ₹5,000 crore pharma R&D applications
Synopsis
India's ₹5,000 crore PRIP Scheme has opened its second application round, offering startups and MSMEs up to ₹5 crore for early-stage pharma and MedTech projects, and up to ₹100 crore for late-stage ones. With AI-driven medical devices and novel drug entities among the priority areas, this round signals a serious push to convert India's pharma manufacturing strength into genuine R&D depth.
Key Takeaways
The Department of Pharmaceuticals has opened PRIP Scheme Round 2 applications under the ₹5,000 crore programme.
Early-stage projects (TRL 1–3) can receive up to ₹5 crore per project; late-stage projects (TRL 4–6) can receive up to ₹100 crore , capped at 35% of total approved project cost.
The PRIP portal submission window opens by mid-September .
Priority areas include NCEs, NBEs, biosimilars, AI/ML medical devices, robotic surgical systems , and precision diagnostics.
Support initiatives MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra are available to aid commercialisation.
Applicants from PRIP Round 1 have been asked not to resubmit the same project.
The Centre's Department of Pharmaceuticals has launched the second call for applications under the ₹5,000 crore Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma and MedTech (PRIP) Scheme, inviting startups, MSMEs, and large companies to submit proposals aimed at advancing India's pharmaceutical and medical technology research ecosystem. The announcement was made through an official statement on Friday, 28 August, with the submission window on the PRIP portal set to open by mid-September.
Two Tracks, Two Funding Tiers
Applications under PRIP Round 2 are structured across two distinct tracks based on the maturity of the technology being developed. The early-stage track targets projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1, 2, or 3, with the aim of advancing them to a maximum of TRL 5. Eligible applicants — startups and MSMEs — may submit a concise concept note directly or through ecosystem enablers acting on their behalf. Shortlisted applicants are then invited to file a detailed application. Financial assistance of up to ₹5 crore per project is available under this track.
The late-stage track covers projects at TRL 4, 5, or 6, seeking to push technologies to higher readiness levels. These applicants apply directly via the detailed application form. Funding of up to ₹100 crore per project is available, subject to the condition that government support is capped at 35 per cent of the approved total project cost, with the applicant co-funding the remainder.
Priority Areas Under the Scheme
The PRIP Scheme covers a broad range of innovation priorities. In pharmaceuticals, these include new chemical entities (NCEs), new biological entities (NBEs), phyto-pharmaceuticals, complex generics, and biosimilars. On the MedTech side, the scheme targets novel medical devices — defined as those not previously approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) — spanning AI and machine learning-based devices, Software as Medical Device (SaMD), robotic surgical systems, telemedicine-enabled devices, and in-vitro diagnostics that enable precision medicine.
Support Infrastructure and Mentorship
Beyond funding, the PRIP Scheme offers applicants access to mentorship, collaboration platforms, and dedicated support initiatives including MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra. These programmes are designed to improve the commercialisation prospects of viable research outputs. The scheme also aims to build world-class research infrastructure and expand the pool of trained scientific talent in India.
Notably, the scheme was originally launched in 2023 with a mandate to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into pharmaceutical research — a signal of the government's intent to future-proof India's drug development pipeline.
How to Apply
Application forms and guidance documents are available on the PRIP portal. Applicants who submitted projects under PRIP Round 1 have been explicitly asked not to resubmit the same project. The portal submission window will open by mid-September, and queries can be directed to the scheme's official support email. This second call signals growing institutional confidence in the programme as it moves beyond its pilot phase.
Point of View
But the real test lies in execution: India has long been a global leader in generic drug manufacturing while lagging significantly on original research and IP creation. Capping government support at 35 per cent of late-stage project costs is a sound co-investment principle, but it may deter undercapitalised startups from pursuing the ₹100 crore track. The inclusion of AI/ML medical devices and precision diagnostics as priority areas is forward-looking, yet the absence of published outcomes from Round 1 makes it difficult to assess whether the scheme is building durable R&D capacity or simply seeding projects that stall at commercialisation.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PRIP Scheme and who can apply?
The Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma and MedTech (PRIP) Scheme is a ₹5,000 crore government programme under the Department of Pharmaceuticals to fund R&D in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. Startups, MSMEs, and large industry players are all eligible to apply across two funding tracks.
How much funding is available under PRIP Round 2?
Early-stage projects (TRL 1–3) can receive financial assistance of up to ₹5 crore per project. Late-stage projects (TRL 4–6) can receive up to ₹100 crore per project, provided government support does not exceed 35 per cent of the total approved project cost, with the applicant co-funding the balance.
When does the PRIP Round 2 application window open?
The submission window on the PRIP portal is set to open by mid-September. Application forms and guidance documents are already available on the portal, and applicants from Round 1 have been asked not to resubmit the same project.
What are the priority areas covered under the PRIP Scheme?
The scheme covers new chemical entities (NCEs), new biological entities (NBEs), phyto-pharmaceuticals, complex generics, and biosimilars in the pharma space. On the MedTech side, it prioritises AI/ML-based medical devices, Software as Medical Device (SaMD), robotic surgical systems, telemedicine-enabled devices, and precision in-vitro diagnostics.
What additional support does the PRIP Scheme offer beyond funding?
Beyond direct financial assistance, the PRIP Scheme provides mentorship support, collaboration facilitation through MedTech Mitra and Patent Mitra, and an online platform to connect stakeholders. The scheme also aims to build research infrastructure and expand India's pool of trained scientific talent.
