NEWS – IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD) and the National Cancer Grid (NCG) have launched the Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) Grant Program to promote AI-driven innovations in cancer screening, diagnostics, treatment support, and healthcare operations across India.

HIGHLIGHTS

Funding & Scale-Up

• Pilot Grants: Up to ₹50 lakh per selected project.
• Scale-Up Funding: Additional ₹1 crore for projects demonstrating clinical impact and operational readiness.

Focus Areas

• AI-enabled screening and diagnostics.
• Clinical decision support systems.
• Patient engagement tools.
• Operational efficiency in healthcare delivery.
• Research and data curation.

Eligibility & Application

• Open to startups, health-tech companies, academic institutions, and hospitals (public/private).
• Joint applications encouraged between Clinical Leads (hospitals/clinicians) and Technical Leads (AI developers).
• Up to 10 projects will be selected based on technical maturity, feasibility, and healthcare alignment.
• Emphasis on responsible AI, clinical validation, and deployment readiness in Indian contexts.
• Deadline: September 2, 2025.