Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

The MAHA MedTech Mission is run by ANRF with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Gates Foundation. It funds the development and commercialisation of affordable medical technologies and aims to reduce dependence on high-cost imports. The mission runs for five years and expects to fund about 50 projects. Our catalogue holds the first call, which has closed. A full-proposal round also ran in April and May 2026, and ANRF says it expects two more calls.

What you get

• Grant support, released against milestones, for projects of two to five years
• Patent support, regulatory guidance, clinical trial facilitation, investor linkages and expert mentorship
• You keep ownership of the intellectual property you create

Who can apply

• Academic and research institutions, DPIIT-registered startups, Udyam-registered MSMEs, hospitals, medical colleges, and MedTech and pharma companies
• The lead applicant must be an Indian entity with majority Indian ownership and operations in India
• The lead investigator does not need a PhD or a publication record, and can come from a startup, hospital or company
• Each project needs a co-investigator from the lead applicant
• Projects must already be at technology readiness level 3 or above, with a working prototype. TRL 9 is not supported
• Medical devices and in vitro diagnostics are in scope. Therapeutics, vaccines and general digital health apps are not
• Private companies share at least 30 percent of project cost unless exempted. Academic institutions and startups are exempt

How selection works: Concept notes are scored on scientific merit, public health and economic impact, commercialisation potential and team strength. Shortlisted teams are asked for a full proposal. No demo is required at the concept stage.

How to apply: Submit through the ANRF application portal when a call is open. Portal problems can go to support@anrfonline.in.

ATRI is aimed at the gap between laboratory proof and a demonstrated prototype. ANRF supports centres anchored at one lead institution. The centre builds shared facilities around a technology and is expected to support startups, state universities and less-resourced institutions.

Who can apply

• A group of investigators from an academic institution, national laboratory or DSIR-SIRO recognised research body, led by a lead principal investigator from that institution
• Lead and co-investigators must hold a regular academic or research position
• People affiliated with a private limited company cannot be the lead or a principal investigator. They can join as honorary investigators
• The technology must already be at technology readiness level 4, with a clear route to level 7 and letters from industry or users who want it

How selection works: Applicants send a pre-proposal first. Shortlisted teams submit a full proposal. Centres are reviewed periodically on technology readiness and manufacturing readiness progress.

How to apply: Calls are announced on ANRF's site and the application portal. We could not find dates for the current call.

The MAHA Drones Program aims for demonstrators at technology readiness level 7 within three years. It asks academia, national laboratories, deep-tech startups, MSMEs and industry to form structured consortia. Output software, models and patents fall under ANRF's open licence framework, and the programme backs an open-source drone platform effort.

Who can apply

• Consortia of several principal investigators across academia, research organisations, industry and startups
• The lead investigator must hold a regular academic or research position at a recognised institution, national laboratory or DSIR-SIRO recognised body
• Every proposal needs at least one industry or startup partner that commits to the translation plan. Purely academic proposals are not considered
• One lead investigator can submit one proposal per call
• A person from industry or a startup can be named an honorary investigator

Money for startups: The programme page says funding may go to consortia that include registered startups and MSMEs. It also says ANRF gives no financial support to industry and startups in this mission. The two statements disagree, so confirm with ANRF before you plan around funding.

How selection works: Several teams may be supported at early readiness levels. Later support depends on milestones, technical performance and industry commitment.

How to apply: Proposals go through the ANRF application portal when a call opens. We could not find dates.

The MAHA Water Program supports solutions in water resource assessment, drinking water, water quality and health, and water use efficiency and reuse. It works with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and aims to connect science, entrepreneurship and grassroots action.

Who can apply

• The lead principal investigator must be an Indian citizen or OCI holder with a regular position in an Indian academic institution or national research laboratory, and a PhD or equivalent degree
• A lead investigator cannot apply alone. Proposals come from a team across institutions
• Startups, MSMEs and industry can join only as collaborators with an academic or research institution
• Those partners must contribute at least 10 percent of the project budget in cash and cannot receive direct funding. They can use the open-source results of the mission

How selection works: The call uses a pre-proposal followed by a full proposal.

How to apply: Proposals go through the ANRF application portal when a call is open. We could not find dates.

The Catalytic Partnership Program helps create new research and innovation institutions, including venture-builder institutions. ANRF's part is limited. It is meant to bring partners together, reduce early risk and unlock much larger non-government investment.

Who can apply

• Institutions only. Individuals cannot apply
• A recognised academic institution, national research laboratory or other recognised research organisation. Private institutions need valid UGC, AICTE or PCI approval, or DSIR-SIRO recognition
• One proposal per institution per call, sent by the head of the institution
• The initiative must be new. Expanding or renaming an existing centre does not qualify
• Strong public-private partnership is required, with a firm commitment for part of the non-ANRF funding

How selection works: An expert committee reviews the proposal on ANRF's catalytic role, national relevance, how new the initiative is, governance, financial sustainability and partnerships. The ANRF Executive Council gives final approval. Support can run for up to five years.

How to apply: The call is announced on ANRF's site and the application portal.

The RDI Fund is a special purpose fund within ANRF, approved by the Union Cabinet on 1 July 2025 for six years. It backs private-sector research, development and innovation in sunrise and strategic sectors such as energy and climate, quantum technologies, robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, health, space and the digital economy.

What it provides

• Long-term, low-interest loans, usually unsecured
• Equity financing, particularly for startups and early-stage deep-tech ventures
• Contributions to deep-tech funds of funds
• Financing of up to half of the assessed project cost, with the rest met by the project owner. Exceptions need approval
• It does not give grants or short-term loans

Who can apply

• ANRF's direct applicants are second-level fund managers: alternative investment funds, development finance institutions, non-banking finance companies and focused research organisations. The Technology Development Board and BIRAC are named managers
• Startups and companies get money from those managers, for projects at technology readiness level 4 or above
• Incubators and accelerators are generally not eligible

How to apply: The fund's own call for proposals page was empty when we checked. Fund-manager questions go to rdi-fund@anrf.gov.in. As a startup, approach the appointed fund managers.

ANRF's application portal lists many programmes for individual researchers, including the Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant, Ramanujan Fellowship, J. C. Bose Grant, National Science Chair, National Post Doctoral Fellowship, Advanced Research Grant, Inclusivity Research Grant and Prime Minister Professorship. They are listed here so a founder who lands on ANRF can tell they are not startup grants.

Who can apply

• Academics and scientists in recognised institutions and laboratories
• The Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant has an upper age limit of 42 years, relaxed by three years for SC, ST and OBC candidates, women and physically challenged applicants. It is a one-time, three-year grant
• Ramanujan Fellowship nominations for 2026 are received until 31 December 2026, as stated on ANRF's home page
• J. C. Bose Grant nominations for the latest call closed on 10 February 2026

How to apply: Each scheme has its own page and call on ANRF's site and portal. A company founder without a research post is not eligible for most of them.