IndiaAI NCG CATCH Grant Program launched to boost AI innovation in cancer care across India, offering up to ₹1 crore funding, clinical validation, and mentorship for healthcare innovators.
IndiaAI & NCG Launch CATCH Grant to Fuel AI Innovation in Cancer Care
Overview of the Initiative
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, through IndiaAI’s Independent Business Division and in partnership with the National Cancer Grid (NCG), has unveiled the Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) Grant Program. This initiative aims to fast-track the real-world deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions across the cancer care spectrum—from screening and diagnostics to treatment support and patient engagement
Purpose and Scope
CATCH seeks to bridge the gap between AI research and clinical application by supporting innovations that are contextually grounded and clinically validated. The program targets solutions tailored to Indian healthcare settings, promoting scalable, equitable cancer care
Funding and Support
Selected teams will receive milestone-based grants up to ₹50 lakh, co-funded by IndiaAI and NCG. Successful pilots may become eligible for additional scale-up grants of up to ₹1 crore Beneficiaries also gain access to NCG hospitals for clinical validation, receive mentorship, and enjoy national visibility through IndiaAI and NCG platforms
Innovation Tracks
The program welcomes applications across seven high-impact domains:
- Screening
- Diagnostics
- Clinical Treatment
- Patient Engagement
- Research Enablement
- Operational Efficiency
- Data Curation
Eligibility and Selection
Applicants—from startups, academia, hospitals, and health-tech firms—must form joint teams that include both a Clinical Lead and a Technology Lead. Proposals need to demonstrate technical readiness (TRL 5 or above), feasibility, and alignment with healthcare delivery needs. Up to 10 proposals will be selected for piloting
Key Dates
- Program Launch: 2 August 2025
- Webinar/Q&A: 21 August 2025
- Application Deadline: 2 September 2025
Why This News Matters
Strengthening AI-Enabled Cancer Care
Cancer remains a pressing public health challenge in India, marked by late diagnoses and uneven access to oncological services. The CATCH initiative can catalyze early detection technologies, decision-support systems, and AI-driven patient engagement tools—potentially transforming outcomes across the cancer care continuum
Bridging Lab to Clinic
India has seen a surge in AI oncology innovations, but real-world validation has lagged. By pairing innovators with clinical experts and pilot sites, CATCH directly addresses this gap—promoting responsible AI deployment in healthcare
Boosting Ecosystem and Equity
With grants, mentorship, infrastructure, and national visibility, this programme supports inclusive innovation. It encourages responsible practices while potentially extending quality cancer care to underserved regions via scalable AI tools
Historical Context
The government launched the IndiaAI Mission in March 2024 to democratize AI innovation nationwide Simultaneously, the National Cancer Grid has been instrumental in standardizing oncology care and pooling resources across more than 300 centres—promoting quality, training, and collaborative research The CATCH initiative merges these two forces, applying AI to longstanding challenges in oncology.
Key Takeaways from the CATCH Grant Program
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Funding: Grants up to ₹50 lakh per project; potential scale-up up to ₹1 crore. |
| 2 | Focus Areas: Seven innovation tracks—including screening, diagnostics, patient engagement, and more. |
| 3 | Eligibility: Joint clinical-technical team (Clinical Lead + Technology Lead); startups, academia, and hospitals can apply. |
| 4 | Support Provided: Funding, clinical validation in NCG hospitals, mentorship, and national visibility. |
| 5 | Timeline: Launched on 2 August 2025; applications due by 2 September 2025. |
FAQs
Q1. What is the full form of CATCH in the context of the IndiaAI–NCG program?
A1. CATCH stands for Cancer AI & Technology Challenge.
Q2. Which organizations have jointly launched the CATCH Grant Program?
A2. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s IndiaAI Independent Business Division and the National Cancer Grid (NCG).
Q3. What is the maximum funding available under the CATCH Grant Program?
A3. Up to ₹50 lakh per project, with potential scale-up grants of up to ₹1 crore.
Q4. How many innovation tracks are included in the program?
A4. Seven tracks—Screening, Diagnostics, Clinical Treatment, Patient Engagement, Research Enablement, Operational Efficiency, and Data Curation.
Q5. What is the eligibility requirement for teams applying for the CATCH program?
A5. Teams must include a Clinical Lead and a Technology Lead, and projects must be at least Technology Readiness Level 5.
Q6. Which date marks the launch of the CATCH program?
A6. 2 August 2025.
Q7. What is the last date to apply for the CATCH Grant Program?
A7. 2 September 2025.
Q8. What kind of support will selected projects receive apart from funding?
A8. Clinical validation in NCG hospitals, mentorship, and national visibility.
Q9. Why is the CATCH program important for Indian healthcare?
A9. It bridges the gap between AI research and real-world clinical application, making cancer care more accessible and effective.
Q10. Which body is responsible for the national coordination of cancer care in this initiative?
A10. The National Cancer Grid.
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