In a landmark collaboration aimed at transforming cancer care in the country, IndiaAI and the National Cancer Grid (NCG) have announced the launch of the Cancer Technology and AI for Comprehensive Healthcare (CATCH) Grant Program. The initiative seeks to harness the power of artificial intelligence to improve cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes across India.
The CATCH Grant Program will offer pilot funding of up to ₹50 lakh for selected proposals, along with the possibility of scale-up grants reaching ₹1 crore for the most promising projects. In total, up to 10 projects will be selected in the first phase. The call for applications is open to a broad range of participants—including startups, health tech companies, research institutions, academic bodies, and hospitals—who are innovating in the field of AI-driven oncology solutions.
Applications must be submitted by September 2, 2025, marking a tight window for innovators to present their concepts and secure this prestigious funding.
Focusing on Responsible and Effective AI in Healthcare
Both IndiaAI and NCG have emphasized that the program is not merely about developing AI tools, but ensuring they meet responsible AI standards and are backed by robust clinical validation. Selected projects will be evaluated not only for technological novelty but also for their readiness to be deployed within real-world healthcare settings.
By leveraging the extensive NCG network—which connects over 300 cancer centres, research institutions, and hospitals across the country—the CATCH program aims to bridge the gap between AI research and practical clinical application. This approach ensures that new technologies will be tested, refined, and implemented in environments where they can have an immediate and measurable impact.
Transforming Cancer Care in India
Cancer remains a significant public health challenge in India, with millions of new cases diagnosed each year. Delays in detection and lack of access to advanced diagnostic tools often contribute to poor survival rates. AI has the potential to revolutionize the process by enabling faster, more accurate screenings, aiding pathologists and radiologists in diagnosis, and optimizing treatment pathways based on patient-specific data.
With the CATCH Grant Program, IndiaAI and NCG are making a strategic investment in AI-powered decision support systems, predictive analytics, and image analysis platforms. Such technologies could help doctors identify cancer earlier, tailor treatment plans more precisely, and monitor patients more effectively—particularly in underserved regions.
A National Push for AI in Healthcare
The partnership between IndiaAI and NCG reflects a broader national vision to integrate advanced AI solutions into India’s healthcare ecosystem. By promoting collaboration between technology innovators and clinical experts, the initiative seeks to create scalable models for cancer care that can be replicated across the country.
As the deadline approaches, the CATCH Grant Program is expected to draw strong interest from innovators eager to make a tangible difference in cancer care. If successful, it could set a precedent for how public health initiatives and cutting-edge technology can work hand-in-hand to address some of India’s most pressing medical challenges.
