Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) Grant Program

IndiaAI, a division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has partnered with the National Cancer Grid (NCG) to launch the Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) Grant Program. This initiative aims to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative AI solutions to revolutionize cancer care in India.

CATCH Grant Program Details

• Objective: To fast-track the validation and deployment of AI-based solutions across the entire cancer care continuum, from screening and diagnostics to treatment support and hospital operations.
• Grant Structure:
  • Pilot Grant: Up to ₹50 lakh per project will be awarded to selected teams for piloting their AI solutions within the NCG hospital network.
  • Scale-up Grant: Successful pilot projects that demonstrate clinical impact and operational readiness may be eligible for an additional grant of up to ₹1 crore to enable wider deployment.
• Focus Areas: The challenge targets high-impact categories where AI can make a significant difference, including:
  • AI-enabled screening and diagnostics (e.g., analyzing medical images for early detection).
  • Clinical decision support systems for personalized treatment planning.
  • Patient engagement and remote monitoring platforms.
  • Operational efficiency for hospitals (e.g., smart scheduling and documentation).
  • Research and data curation for clinical trials.
• Participants: The program is a collaboration between technology innovators and clinical institutions. It invites applications from startups, health tech firms, academic institutions, and hospitals. Up to 10 proposals will be selected for the initial piloting phase.