PRIP scheme second call open: new discovery track of up to ₹50 crore for startups and MSMEs, alongside early-stage and later-stage tracks
The Department of Pharmaceuticals has opened the PRIP portal for the second call of the ₹5,000 crore Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech scheme and added a New Discovery track: up to ₹50 crore for startups and MSMEs doing NCE/NBE projects at TRL 1–3, with at least 25% co-funding from bona fide institutional investors.
Key facts
- Published
- 30 September 2026
- Section
- Startup & MSME
- What it is
- New facility
- In force
- PRIP portal open for the second call as on 30 September 2026; closing date not stated
- Who it affects
- Pharma and MedTech startups, MSMEs and larger companies; drug-discovery ventures working on NCE/NBE; institutional investors; incubators and other ecosystem enablers
In 30 seconds
- The second call was announced on 28 August 2026; on 30 September 2026 the Department said the online PRIP portal is now open for applications.
- New Discovery track: up to ₹50 crore per company/project/portfolio of projects, subject to minimum co-funding of 25% of the project cost(s) from bona fide institutional investors.
- It is for startups and MSMEs with NCE/NBE projects at TRL 1, 2 or 3, to be taken to higher TRLs not beyond TRL 6.
- Early stage: up to ₹5 crore per project for startups and MSMEs (TRL 1–3 to not beyond TRL 5); no co-funding where project cost is up to ₹1 crore.
- Later stage: up to ₹100 crore per project for industry, startups and MSMEs (TRL 4–6), capped at 35% of the approved total project cost.
- Under the first call, 41 projects have been approved for around ₹1,600 crore; Round 1 applicants are advised not to resubmit the same project.
हिंदी में सार
Department of Pharmaceuticals ने ₹5,000 करोड़ की PRIP योजना के दूसरे चरण (second call) के लिए पोर्टल खोल दिया है और एक नया New Discovery track जोड़ा है। इसमें NCE/NBE पर काम करने वाले स्टार्टअप और MSME को ₹50 करोड़ तक की सहायता मिलेगी, बशर्ते परियोजना लागत का कम से कम 25% संस्थागत निवेशकों से आए। इसके अलावा early-stage में ₹5 करोड़ तक और later-stage में ₹100 करोड़ तक (लागत का अधिकतम 35%) सहायता है। आवेदन की अंतिम तारीख़ रिलीज़ में नहीं दी गई है।
What has been announced
The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, announced the second call for applications under the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma & MedTech (PRIP) Scheme on 28 August 2026. On 30 September 2026 it announced a New Discovery track under the scheme and said the online PRIP portal is now open for submission of applications under the second call.
The scheme, launched in 2023, has a financial outlay of ₹5,000 crore. According to the Department, it supports startups, MSMEs and large companies in pharma and MedTech research and development.
The three tracks
| Track | Who can apply | Stage of project | Assistance and co-funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Discovery (new) | Startups and MSMEs undertaking NCE/NBE projects | TRL 1, 2 or 3, to higher TRLs not beyond TRL 6 | Up to ₹50 crore per company/project/portfolio of projects, subject to minimum co-funding of 25% of the project cost(s) from bona fide institutional investors |
| Early stage | Startups and MSMEs | TRL 1, 2 or 3, to higher TRLs not beyond TRL 5 | Up to ₹5 crore per project. No co-funding where the approved total project cost is up to ₹1 crore; above that, half of the cost exceeding ₹1 crore is co-funded by the applicant |
| Later stage | Industry, startups and MSMEs | TRL 4, 5 or 6, to higher TRLs | Up to ₹100 crore per project, subject to a maximum of 35% of the approved total project cost; the rest co-funded by the applicant |
TRL means Technology Readiness Level; NCE and NBE mean New Chemical Entity and New Biological Entity.
Priority areas
- New medicines — including New Chemical Entities, New Biological Entities and phytopharmaceutical drugs.
- Complex generics and biosimilars.
- Novel medical devices — devices not previously approved by CDSCO. The 28 August release lists AI/ML-based devices including Software as Medical Device and Software in Medical Device, diagnostics and screening devices with genetic technology, robotic devices for surgical procedures, devices with telemedicine facilities, and novel in vitro diagnostic devices including biomarkers that enable precision medicine.
How the application works
- Early-stage projects follow a two-stage process: a concise Concept Note, then a detailed application for shortlisted applicants. Concept Notes can be submitted by eligible MSMEs and startups directly, or by ecosystem enablers on behalf of projects within their networks.
- Later-stage projects apply directly through the detailed application form.
- Forms and guidance are on the PRIP portal, https://prip.pharma-dept.gov.in/ — the Scheme and Scheme Guidelines, Guidance for Concept Note, Guidance for Application Form, Milestone Descriptor Catalogue, FAQs and the Application Support Toolkit.
Neither release gives a closing date for the second call, and neither describes the application process for the New Discovery track.
What applicants should do
Identify the track by the TRL of the project and by who you are: only startups and MSMEs can use the early-stage and New Discovery tracks. For the New Discovery track, line up institutional investors for at least 25% of the project cost. Those who applied in Round 1 are advised not to resubmit the same project; evaluation of the remaining Round 1 applications is under way. Queries go to support-prip@pharma-dept.gov.in.
Questions and answers
What is the New Discovery track under the PRIP scheme?
A track announced on 30 September 2026 for startups and MSMEs undertaking NCE/NBE projects at TRL 1, 2 or 3. Financial assistance of up to ₹50 crore per company/project/portfolio of projects is available, subject to minimum co-funding of 25% of the project cost(s) from bona fide institutional investors.
How much assistance is available under the early-stage and later-stage tracks?
Early stage: up to ₹5 crore per project for startups and MSMEs. Later stage: up to ₹100 crore per project for industry, startups and MSMEs, restricted to a maximum of 35% of the approved total project cost.
Does an early-stage applicant have to co-fund the project?
Where the approved total project cost is up to ₹1 crore, no co-funding is required. Where it exceeds ₹1 crore, half of the project cost exceeding ₹1 crore is co-funded by the applicant.
Where does one apply?
On the PRIP portal, https://prip.pharma-dept.gov.in/. The Department said on 30 September 2026 that the portal is open for the second call. Queries may be sent to support-prip@pharma-dept.gov.in.
Can a project submitted in Round 1 be submitted again?
Applicants who had submitted projects under PRIP Round 1 have been advised not to resubmit the same project.
Published 30 September 2026. Updated 4 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.