Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The Anjani Mashelkar Prize supports innovators developing affordable, high-impact solutions for India’s excluded and resource-poor communities. It focuses on scalable innovations in health-tech, med-tech, and inclusive development that combine affordability with high quality. Winners receive funding support up to INR 2 crore, mentorship, and market access opportunities.
What is the Anjani Mashelkar Prize?
The Anjani Mashelkar Prize is an innovation funding initiative designed to support solutions that improve access, affordability, and quality for underserved communities in India.
It is named in honour of the late mother of R. A. Mashelkar, reflecting her resilience and aspiration to uplift disadvantaged communities.
Core purpose:
- Promote innovation for resource-poor and excluded populations
- Bridge affordability with high-quality solutions
- Encourage inclusive development through technology
- Support scalable real-world impact innovations
Key Focus Areas
Inclusive and affordable innovation:
- Low-cost solutions for underserved groups
- High usability in resource-constrained settings
Health-tech and med-tech:
- Digital-first healthcare solutions
- Point-of-care diagnostics
- Medical devices and assistive technologies
- Health software platforms
Technology-driven social impact:
- Scalable software solutions
- Data-driven public good tools
- Frugal innovation models
Why the Prize Matters
The Anjani Mashelkar Prize challenges the idea that affordability and excellence cannot coexist.
Key goals:
- Reduce inequality in access to essential services
- Enable scalable innovations for developing contexts
- Strengthen inclusive innovation ecosystems
- Support early-stage to commercialization-ready solutions
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants:
- Individuals and organisations
- Any age, nationality, or origin
Eligible innovations:
- Must be designed for use in India
- Must have a clear scaling plan
- Must target a defined user or market
Development stage:
- Proof of concept
- Prototype stage
- Early commercialization
Not eligible:
- Raw ideas without development
- Concepts without business or scaling model
How the Prize Works
Selection process:
- Multi-stage expert evaluation
- Jury-based assessment
- Focus on impact, scalability, feasibility
Winner benefits:
- Up to INR 2 crore investment support
- Market access and scaling support
- Expert mentorship
- Ecosystem connections
- INR 1 lakh prize from R. A. Mashelkar
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Identify a real problem in underserved communities
- Build a prototype or proof of concept
- Define scalability and impact plan
- Develop a business model
- Prepare documentation (innovation, impact, prototype)
- Submit application through official process
- Undergo jury evaluation
Common Mistakes
- Submitting only ideas without prototypes
- Weak or missing scalability plan
- No clear target user group
- Technology-focused but weak social impact
- Lack of affordability strategy
Tips for Strong Applications
- Focus on real-world Indian contexts
- Demonstrate measurable social impact
- Show affordability clearly
- Include pilot or validation evidence
- Highlight scalability beyond one region
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this prize about?
- It supports inclusive, affordable innovation for underserved communities in India
- Focus is on scalable, high-impact solutions
- Who can apply?
- Individuals and organisations
- Applicants can be from any age, nationality, or origin
- Condition: Innovation must be designed for use in India
- What kind of projects are eligible?
- Do I need a prototype?
- Yes, a minimum of proof of concept is required
- Acceptable stages include:
- Proof of concept
- Prototype stage
- Early commercialization stage
- Raw ideas without development are not accepted
- How much funding is provided?
- Up to INR 2 crore investment support
- Additional INR 1 lakh prize awarded by R. A. Mashelkar
- What stage should my project be in?
- Must be beyond the idea stage
- Eligible stages include:
- Proof of concept
- Prototype development
- Early commercialization with defined market and model
- Who evaluates applications?
- A panel of eminent experts
- Multi-stage jury-based evaluation process
- Selection based on impact, scalability, and feasibility
Conclusion
The Anjani Mashelkar Prize enables innovators to build scalable, affordable, and high-impact solutions for underserved communities. It strengthens inclusive innovation by supporting ideas that combine social impact with technological excellence.
For more information, visit Anjani Mashelkar Foundation.