ICMR Unveils New MedTech Grant Scheme to Strengthen Indigenous Medical Technologies

The initiative aims to strengthen domestic capabilities and innovation in sectors including healthcare and others.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India’s apex body for biomedical research, has unveiled a new MedTech grant scheme designed to advance the development of indigenous medical technology innovation across the country.

The new scheme, known as the Intramural‑Medical Technology (MedTech) Development Grant scheme, aims to support projects undertaken by ICMR’s network of research institutes that focus on health technologies with public health or clinical importance.

The scheme further seeks to strengthen India’s capacity to design, develop, and translate innovative technologies that address priority health needs, while reducing dependency on imported medical devices and systems.

Under the scheme, eligible proposals are required to demonstrate a technology readiness level (TRL) of at least 3, indicating that a proof of concept has already been established, or offer solutions that significantly reduce costs compared with existing alternatives.

The proposal can include collaboration with other ICMR institutes or industry partners, and commercialization strategies must accompany project plans.

The funding support is expected to be up to around INR 4 crore per project, with the possibility of higher ceilings subject to approval.

The initiative aligns with broader national priorities such as the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat campaigns, which aim to strengthen domestic capabilities and innovation in sectors including healthcare technology.

Last year, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Health Research (DHR), convened a high-level regional dialogue involving representatives from nearby nations, aiming to strengthen regional cooperation among health research systems and boost medtech innovation.

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