New Delhi — The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), in partnership with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Gates Foundation, has launched the Maha MedTech Mission, aimed at strengthening India’s medical technology ecosystem.
According to an official statement, the initiative seeks to accelerate innovation in the MedTech sector, reduce dependence on costly imports and improve access to affordable and quality healthcare technologies.
The mission, officially titled the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA)-Medical Technology, will support a range of entities, including academic and research institutions, hospitals, startups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and private industry collaborations.
Funding under the programme will be milestone-linked, with support ranging from ₹5 crore to ₹25 crore per project and up to ₹50 crore in exceptional cases. Projects selected will be expected to deliver impactful and scalable solutions addressing key healthcare challenges.
Officials said the Maha MedTech Mission aims to strengthen India’s research-to-market pipeline and encourage domestic development of technologies that can address priority disease areas while enhancing affordability.
Focus on self-reliance and affordability
The mission’s objectives include improving public health outcomes through technology-driven solutions, promoting affordability by lowering costs, and fostering self-reliance in medical device development and manufacturing.
The scheme covers a wide spectrum of medical technologies, such as diagnostic imaging systems, minimally invasive surgical tools, in-vitro diagnostics, implants, assistive devices, consumables, and software-based solutions. Areas like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), robotics, and point-of-care diagnostics are also eligible.
Projects aligning with national health priorities — including tuberculosis, cancer, neonatal care, and primary healthcare — will be prioritised.
In addition to funding, the mission will extend support through initiatives such as Patent Mitra, which helps with intellectual property and technology transfer, and MedTech Mitra, which provides regulatory guidance and clearances. A Clinical Trial Network will assist in validation and evidence generation, while selected participants will receive mentorship from industry experts.
Maha MedTech Mission application process and deadlines
Applications will follow a two-stage process. The first phase, for submitting Concept Notes, opened on 15 September and will remain open until 7 November 2025. Interested applicants can apply via the ANRF online portal at www.anrfonline.in.
Concept notes shortlisted by a committee will progress to the next phase, where full proposals can be submitted starting December 2025.
Officials said the Maha MedTech Mission forms part of India’s broader push to build capacity in advanced healthcare technologies and foster collaboration between academia, industry, and public research institutions.
