CATCH Grant Program

The Cancer AI & Technology Challenge (CATCH) Grant Program has been launched by IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD) in collaboration with the National Cancer Grid (NCG) to drive the development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions in cancer care across India.

Objective of the CATCH Grant Program

The primary goal of the CATCH Grant Program is to support innovative AI-based solutions that can enhance various aspects of cancer care, including:

• Screening and diagnostics: Leveraging AI to identify and diagnose cancer more efficiently.

• Clinical decision support: AI tools to assist healthcare professionals in making informed treatment decisions.

• Patient engagement: Developing AI solutions to improve communication and engagement between healthcare providers and patients.

• Operational efficiency: Improving the overall functioning of healthcare systems through AI solutions.

• Research and data curation: Enhancing research and data handling in cancer treatment and care.

The program will fund projects aimed at strengthening cancer screening, diagnostics, and treatment support, making a significant impact on cancer care delivery in India.

Grant Details

• Funding: Successful applicants will receive up to ?50 lakh per project to develop their AI solutions.

• Co-funding: The grant will be co-funded by IndiaAI and National Cancer Grid (NCG).

• Scale-Up Opportunities: Projects that demonstrate clinical impact and operational readiness may be eligible for an additional scale-up grant of up to ?1 crore for broader deployment across the NCG network or through national healthcare pathways.

• Pilot Deployment: The program encourages piloted deployment of AI solutions within the NCG hospital network, providing an opportunity for solutions to be tested in real-world healthcare environments.

Focus Areas of the Challenge

The CATCH Grant Program will focus on several high-impact areas, including:

• AI-enabled cancer screening.

• Diagnostic tools using AI.

• Clinical decision support systems.

• Patient engagement platforms.

• Enhancing healthcare operational efficiency.

• AI applications for research.

• Data curation and management.

Key Facts about IndiaAI

• IndiaAI is an Independent Business Division under the Digital India Corporation (DIC), part of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).

• Mission: IndiaAI's mission is to democratize AI's benefits across various sectors, promote India's global leadership in AI, encourage technological self-reliance, and ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI.

• IndiaAI Mission: The mission focuses on fostering the development of AI technologies that benefit all sections of society, especially in critical sectors like healthcare.

Conclusion

The CATCH Grant Program represents a unique opportunity to foster AI innovation in the healthcare sector, particularly in cancer care. By supporting startups, technology companies, and healthcare institutions, the program aims to revolutionize how cancer is detected, treated, and managed in India, ultimately improving outcomes for patients nationwide.