• PI should first register in the ANRF online portal, www.anrfonline.in Click here to register
• After log-in, go to Menu-> Proposal Submission -> Form Submission. PIs are required to fill in all the mandatory fields as specified in that section.

Innovative medical devices and IVD (In vitro diagnostics) including High-end Frontier Technologies (Deep Tech like Imaging, Radiotherapy equipment, Robotics, minimal invasive technologies, implants, AI/ML enabled platforms & devices etc.) aligned with National Health Missions/Priorities/ICMR Priority List.

Therapeutics and vaccines are not an immediate focus of the current call and may be focused upon the subsequent calls.

1. Innovative technologies with established proof-of-concept (TRL-3 or above).
2. Indigeneous, high-quality, technologies targeting replacement of high-cost imported health technologies with at least 3- to 5- fold cost reduction.

Inter-Institutional (Bio-Medical and Engineering Institutes, Laboratories, Hospitals), Industry-Academia collaborations (Academia, Start-ups registered with DPIIT, MSMEs registered with Udyam, Industries with valid DSIR certification or proven track record in biomedical product development or production) are strongly encouraged. Each partner is allocated well-defined sub- deliverables and timeline as per the committed milestones.

1. TRL Stage Certificate
2. Endorsement Letter Download Template
3. Certificate from Principal Investigator Download Template
4. DSIR Certificate( if applicable)
5. Annexure-II Download Annexure-II

A. Scheme Overview

Q1: What is the महा MedTech Mission?

A1: The Government of India, through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Gates Foundation, has launched the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA) MedTech Mission. The Mission has a total budgeted financial outlay of ₹750 crore over 5 years.
This Mission is designed to enable the development and commercialization of high-quality, affordable, and innovative medical technologies. It aims to spur innovation, reduce dependence on high-cost imports, and promote equitable access to high quality, affordable and innovative medical technologies to improve healthcare outcomes.

 

Q2: What are the Mission’s core objectives?

A2: The mission’s objectives are three-fold:

• Public health impact: To back technologies that address national priority disease areas and improve access to care.
• Affordability & access: To support solutions that materially lower costs compared to imported alternatives.
• Self-reliance & competitiveness: To catalyze indigenous development and manufacturing, with stronger industry-academia collaboration to steer India towards self-reliance in MedTech.

The Mission places equal emphasis supporting affordable, high-impact innovations that reduce import dependence, as well as cutting-edge technologies that position India as a global leader in MedTech innovation.

 

Q3: What should I do if I have queries that are not covered in this FAQ?

A3: If you have additional questions or require further clarification you may reach out to the Mission team at: pk-prasad@anrf.gov.in or mahamedtechmission@gmail.com. Please reach out to support@anrfonline.in for any technical support with the application portal.

 

B. Applicant Eligibility

Q4: What kind of entities are eligible to apply?

A4: Applications are open to a wide range of entities, including:

• Academic and research institutions (both public and private)
• Startups (must be registered with DPIIT)
• MSMEs (must be registered with Udyam)
• Hospitals/Medical colleges hospitals
• Pharma/MedTech companies
• Other MedTech businesses and non-profits with no restrictions on legal entity
  (e.g., companies, proprietorships, partnerships, Section 8, trust, and others)

The Lead Applicant must be an entity incorporated or established in India under applicable laws, with majority ownership and beneficial ownership vested in Indian citizens and/or Indian entities and having its principal place of business and key management located in India.
Applicants with DSIR certification will be given preference.

 

Q5: Is DSIR certification mandatory?

A5: No, DSIR certification is not mandatory, but it is encouraged.
Entities that do not possess a valid DSIR certification must be able to demonstrate adequate research and development facilities, technical capability, and credentials to undertake genuine R&D activities under the Mission.

 

Q6: Can the same entity submit more than one application in a call?

A6: Yes, there is no restriction on number of applications from an eligible entity.
If an entity submits multiple proposals with different Principal Investigators (PIs), each proposal will be evaluated and considered independently.
However, funding will be granted for at most one project per PI and one project per Co-PI to ensure adequate project focus and accountability.

 

Q7: Can multiple organizations submit a joint application?

A7: Yes, the Mission encourages joint applications involving collaborations across institutions. For example:

• Inter-institutional collaborations: e.g., collaborations between biomedical and engineering institutes, laboratories, and hospitals
• Industry-academia collaborations: e.g., academia working with startups, MSMEs, MedTech companies

Collaborating partners should be listed in the application details. Each partner must be allocated well-defined sub-deliverables with timelines as per the committed milestones.
The Lead Applicant must be an entity incorporated or established in India under applicable laws, with majority ownership and beneficial ownership vested in Indian citizens and/or Indian entities and having its principal place of business and key management located in India. Funding under the scheme will be disbursed only to Indian entities as described above.
The Lead Applicant must be primarily responsible for project milestones.
Note: International companies may be part of a collaboration, but only Indian entities will receive financial support

 

Q8: Is having a collaboration mandatory? Are there any restrictions on the type or number of collaborating entities?

A8: Collaborations are encouraged but not mandatory under the Mission.
Applicants have flexibility in choosing both the type and number of collaborators, provided that such collaborations are complementary in nature and contribute meaningfully to accelerating product development.

 

Q9: In case of a collaborative project, how is the Lead Applicant determined and how will the funds be disbursed among the entities?

A9: In collaborative projects, the Lead Applicant / Principal Investigator (PI) will be primarily responsible for achieving project milestones and for coordinating activities among all collaborating entities.
Funding may be disbursed to multiple participating entities, as per the approved project plan and budget allocation. However, only Indian entities are eligible to receive funding under the Mission.

 

Q10: Does the PI have to be from academia? Is a PhD and paper publication necessary for PI/Co-PI?

A10: No - The Principal Investigator is not required to be from an academic or research institution. Applicants from startups, companies, hospitals, and other eligible entities are welcome to apply, provided they meet the general eligibility requirements of the Mission.
There is no requirement of a PhD or paper publication.

 

Q11: Is it required to have a Co-PI? How many PIs/Co-PIs can you have?

A11: Each project must have one Principal Investigator (PI) and at least one Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) from the lead applicant entity.
In the case of collaborative projects, there should be one PI and at least one Co-PI from each collaborating entity.

 

Q12: Can the same PI submit more than one application in a call?

A12: An individual can be concurrently involved in at most one project proposal as a PI and at most one project as a Co-PI, to ensure adequate project focus and accountability.

 

Q13: Can foreign nationals participate in the Mission?

A13: Foreign nationals (including OCI and PIO) may participate if employed by an eligible institution in India, as a Principal Investigator (PI) with an Indian Co-PI, or as a co-PI with an Indian PI, provided they have sufficient residual official service in India (project duration +1 year).

 

Q14: Are temporary staff & researchers eligible to be Co-PI?

A14: Temporary or contractual research staff may be considered eligible to serve as Co-PI, provided that the Head of the host organization grants approval and confirms that the individual’s position is sufficiently stable for the duration of the project.

 

Q15: Is it mandatory for the product to be manufactured in India?

A15: The Mission aims to promote and strengthen domestic manufacturing of medical technologies; therefore, products manufactured in India will be given priority.
However, it is recognized that some projects may require the use of global contract manufacturers during the R&D or prototyping stages, or for the production of specific components. Such cases will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

 

C. Project/Technology Eligibility

Q16: What TRL (technology readiness level) stages are eligible under this Mission?

A16: This Mission will fund innovative technologies with established proof-of-concept corresponding to TRLs 3 to 8, with TRLs as defined in Annexure II.
Projects that have reached TRL 3 will have:

• An in-house prototype that has been designed, and the prototype’s analytical performance has been tested.

Projects that have progressed beyond TRL-3, up to TRL-8 (pre-commercialization stage), will also be eligible.
Technologies that have reached TRL-9 (commercialization and post-market stage) will not be supported under this Mission.

 

Q17: If the project is currently at TRL-2 stage and is about to reach TRL-3 stage, is it eligible to apply for funding under the mission ?

A17: Projects that are only at TRL-2 stage of development are not eligible to apply for the mission. Similarly, projects that are only at TRL-1 stage of development are also not eligible.

• TRL-1 (Ideation): Projects that have only identified the problem statement/unmet need, and documented or selected the idea for a device.
• TRL-2 (Proof of Principle): Projects that have completed preliminary design selection, defined basic technical specifications, or undertaken FTO/market analysis – but no prototype has yet been built or tested.

Since these stages do not include designing an in-house prototype and testing its analytical performance in a lab setting (the requirements for TRL-3), such projects do not qualify for this scheme. As evidence of reaching TRL 3, we will be looking for peer reviewed publications or technical report/validation from a third party.
TRL-based eligibility is a strict criterion, and no exceptions will be made to the same.

 

Q18: Are technologies eligible if they are clinically proven internationally but not yet established or demonstrated in India?

A18: Yes. Technologies that have been clinically validated or approved in international markets but are not yet established or demonstrated in India are eligible for funding under the Mission.

 

Q19: What kinds of medical technologies are in scope for this call

A19: The Mission will support a broad spectrum of innovative medical devices that address India’s national health priorities. These include, but are not limited to:

• In vitro diagnostics (IVD)
• Equipment (diagnostic, therapeutic, other advanced systems), including but not limited to point-of-care diagnostics, imaging, robotics, etc.
• Implants and assistive devices
• Consumables
• Surgical tools
• Software as a medical device, including AI/ML tools that support clinical diagnosis, treatment or care delivery
• Critical subcomponents

Out of scope:

• Therapeutics and vaccines are not an immediate focus of the current call and may be focused upon in subsequent calls.
• Broader digital health applications, including applications that support wellness, lifestyle, or administrative activities, are out of scope.

Alignment with health priorities:

• This call for proposal encourages (but is not limited to) technologies that are aligned with India’s national health priorities. We welcome technologies that impact public health and health outcomes beyond those listed here.
• For direct financial support to private sector companies, MSMEs, and startups, the Mission will prioritize technologies that impact communicable diseases, and woman and child health and nutrition.

 

Q20: What qualifies as a medical device under this Mission, and are products not regulated by CDSCO eligible for funding?

A20: For the purpose of this Mission, medical devices will be defined in accordance with CDSCO’s notified definitions and classifications.
To be eligible for funding, all proposed products must fall within CDSCO-recognized medical device categories. Investigational or novel medical devices that are not yet regulated or do not have an existing predicate must undergo the applicable CDSCO approval and registration processes prior to or during project execution, as required.

 

Q21: Can projects that have currently or in the past been funded by other government schemes apply?

A21: Yes, the scheme allows any project that has currently or in the past been funded by any government scheme to apply for funding, subject to the condition that funds made available under the scheme are for augmentation and there is no duplication in expenditures booked under the two schemes.

 

Q22: Can projects that are applying to DOP PRIP Scheme also apply to महा MedTech Mission?

A22: Yes, projects that are eligible for both महा MedTech Mission and PRIP are encouraged to apply to both schemes simultaneously.

 

D. Funding Scope and Limits

Q23: How much funding can a project receive?

A23: Projects will receive funding support in the range of ₹5 crore to ₹25 crore, depending on the scope, scale, and stage of development of the project. In exceptional cases, funding support of up to ₹50 crore may be considered.
Funding amount will be determined on a case-to-case basis by the Technical Advisory Group

 

Q24: Can projects apply if their funding requirement is less than ₹5 crore?

A24: The Mission primarily supports projects requiring funding between ₹5–25 crore. However, proposals with lower funding needs may also be considered on a case-to-case basis if they demonstrate strong strategic relevance or high-impact potential, subject to approval by the Technical Advisory Group.

 

Q25: What is the typical project duration that can be supported?

A25: Projects under the Mission will typically be supported for a duration of 2 to 5 years, depending on the stage of development, scope of work, and milestones proposed. The exact duration will be finalized during evaluation and grant agreement.
Projects that are expected to reach commercialization beyond this timeframe are eligible to apply by defining milestones achievable within the Mission’s support period.

 

Q26: How are projects divided into sub-projects under the Mission, and what does this mean for funding and support?

A26: A project may be divided into sub-projects based on its stage of development:

• Stage I – Proof of Concept
• Stage II – Validation (Preclinical/Clinical Development)
• Stage III – Commercialization Support

This structure ensures that funding and support are customized to each stage, with the right form of engagement defined across ANRF, ICMR, and the Gates Foundation. By splitting projects in this manner, applicants receive stage-appropriate funding, mentorship, and partnerships, making support more focused and effective.
For the initial concept note, a single application is sufficient.

 

E. Funding Terms and Utilization

Q27: What are the key funding terms and conditions that applicants should be aware of?

A27: Cost sharing:

• Cost-share requirements:
  • Private sector players (e.g. MedTech companies, MSMEs, etc.) are required to contribute to their share of project cost from their own resources. The specific terms of the cost-share will be determined by the Technical Advisory Group on a case-to-case basis (generally with a minimum of 30% private cost-share). The balance (i.e., ₹5-25 crore) will be funded through the scheme.
• Cost-share exemptions:
  • Academic/research institutes and start-ups will be exempt from cost-share requirements.
  • Projects that deal with national health priorities may be exempt from cost-share requirements on a case-to-case basis
  • The Technical Advisory Group will make the final determination on whether a project qualifies for these exemptions
• In case of collaborations/joint applications by multiple types of entities: The portion of the grant allocated to private sector entities will be subject to cost sharing as determined by the Technical Advisory Group
• Specific terms of the cost-share will be determined by the Technical Advisory Group on a case-to-case basis

Acceptable sources of cost sharing include (but are not limited to):

• Internal budget allocation/Self-funding
• Funding from domestic individuals or institutional investors
• Funding from foreign institutional investors
• Funding from other grants/government schemes, subject to the condition that funds made available under the scheme is for augmentation and there is no duplication in expenditures booked under the two schemes
• In-kind contributions (towards facility, equipment, etc.) may count towards cost-share, subject to a fair value assessment

The Technical Advisory Group will make final determinations on cost sharing arrangements.
Benefit sharing:
The scheme provides a grant with no requirement of benefit or equity sharing.
IP ownership:
The intellectual property (IP) generated under the महा MedTech Mission will be owned by the grantee itself.
Milestone-linked payments:
Disbursements will be tied to the achievement of approved technical and developmental milestones, with subsequent tranches released once satisfactory progress is demonstrated against the agreed roadmap.

 

Q28: How can funding be used?

A28: Funding under the Mission may be used for legitimate R&D, manufacturing and commercialization activities aligned to the approved project plan. Broadly:
Grant funding can cover:
Recurring expenses including:

• Personnel directly involved in the project
• Consumables
• Project related travel
• Field work
• Contingencies related to project execution
• Other costs (e.g., cloud compute credits, software licenses, publication costs, annual maintenance charges, short-term facility access)

Non-recurring expenses including:

• Equipment
• Software Purchase
• Long-term purchase of cloud or remote facility access
• Pre-clinical and clinical trials (excluding CROs)
• Regulatory processes and patent filings

Funding cannot cover:

• CROs
• Civil infrastructure and rental expenses
• Costs already incurred prior to grant sanction (no retrospective reimbursement)
• General corporate overheads or unrelated expenses
• Activities not connected to the approved milestones or scope of the project

 

Q29: Are there any budget restrictions for individual budget heads?

A29: No, there are no budget restrictions for in-scope individual budget heads. However, applicable government norms for each budget head and Technical Advisory Group guidance will be taken into consideration for evaluation.

 

Q30: Are there any salary caps or restrictions on payments to expert personnel under the Mission?

A30: While standard government norms on fund utilization apply, higher salary bands may be approved for expert or specialized roles on a case-to-case basis, subject to market justification and approval by the Technical Advisory Group

 

Q31: Will there be any non-financial support available beyond the grant?

A31: In addition to financial support, the Mission will also provide support such as:

• Patent Support through Patent Mitra: Assistance with patent filing, protection, and technology transfer.
• Regulatory Support through MedTech Mitra: Guidance and facilitation for regulatory clearances and clinical evaluation.
• Clinical Trial Support through the Intent Network: Access to accredited sites and support for conducting pre-clinical and clinical trials.
• Follow-on Funding Support: Connections to private investors, venture capital, and other funding sources to help scale promising projects
• Mentorship Support: Guidance from industry leaders, domain experts, and business mentors on technology development, commercialization strategies, and navigating the MedTech ecosystem. Grantees have the option to bring on their own mentors, with honorariums/travel being funded if required.

 

F. Application Process and Timelines

Q32: How long will the Mission run, and when will grants be given?

A32: The Mission will run for 5 years. The first call for applications will be in October - December 2025 with grants given in February/March 2026. The Mission expects to make two more funding calls, giving applicants multiple opportunities to apply.

 

Q33: What are the key dates and deadlines for the current call?

A33: Refer to the ANRF website for timeline of closure of CFP for Concept Note. The CFP for the full proposal will open tentatively in December 2025, with results announced around February 2026.

 

Q34: Is it mandatory to submit a Concept Note, or can applicants directly submit a Full Proposal?

A34: Submission of a Concept Note is mandatory. A subset of applicants from the Concept Note stage will be invited to submit a Full Proposal.

 

Q35: What types of evidence are acceptable to demonstrate the TRL stage of a project?

A35: Applicants must provide evidence to substantiate the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) they are claiming. The following are indicative examples of acceptable proof at each TRL stage:

• TRL 3 (Early-stage Proof of Concept):
  Peer reviewed publications or technical report/validation from a third party
• TRL 4 (Advanced Proof of Concept / Design Freeze):
  MD-12: Submission acknowledgement of application for Test License
• TRL 5 (Test-batch Evaluation):
  MD-13: Test License, and
  MD-22: Submission acknowledgement of application for permission to conduct clinical investigation (CI) of medical devices
  MD-24: Submission acknowledgement of application for permission to conduct clinical performance evaluation (CPE) of IVDs
• TRL 6 (Pilot CI / CPE Studies – Phase I/Equivalence to predicate):
  MD-23: Permission for clinical investigation of medical device,
  MD-25: Permission for clinical performance evaluation of IVD
• TRL 7 (Pivotal CI / CPE Studies – Phase II/Equivalence to predicate):
  MD-3 / MD-7 (as applicable to the device class): Submission acknowledgement for obtaining Manufacturing License
  MD-26/ MD-28(for IVDs): Submission acknowledgement of data for permission to import
• TRL 8 (Pre-commercialization):
  MD-5 / MD-9 (as applicable to the device class): Manufacturing License
  MD-27/ MD-29 (for IVDs): Import License

The Mission may request additional documents or clarifications during review.

 

Q36: How is it determined whether a medical device has a predicate or not?

A36: A device is considered to have a predicate if it can be shown to be substantially equivalent to an already approved device. Substantial equivalence means the new device has:

• The same intended use and technological characteristics; or
• The same intended use but different technological characteristics, provided it can be demonstrated that the device is as safe and effective as the predicate.

Importantly, a claim of substantial equivalence does not mean the devices are identical. Substantial equivalence shall be established with respect to intended use, design, energy used or delivered, materials, chemical composition, manufacturing process, performance, safety, effectiveness, labelling, biocompatibility, and relevant standards. Refer to Annexure II for more detail.

 

G. Application Selection and Evaluation

Q37: What are the selection criteria for progressing from the Concept Note stage to the full application?

A37: Concept Notes will be evaluated across several dimensions, including (but not limited to):

• Scientific/technical merit of the proposed solution
• Potential for public health impact, economic impact and self-reliance
• Strength of the development plan and potential for commercialization
• Strength of the applicant team and partnerships (e.g., industry–academia collaboration)

 

Q38: Will shortlisted applicants be asked to present or demonstrate?

A38: No presentations or demonstrations will be required at the Concept Note stage.

 

Q39: If an applicant is not selected for funding, can they re-apply in future calls?

A39: Applicants who are not selected will be given structured feedback on their submission and will be eligible to reapply in subsequent calls.

 

Q40: Will information in the Concept Note submission and the Full proposal submission be kept confidential?

A40: All data and information submitted for the Concept Note or Full Proposal stage will be kept confidential. The evaluation committees will use this information only for assessment purposes.