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India Health Fund (IHF), in collaboration with ACT Grants, IPE Global, and IKP Knowledge Park, is calling for proposals for innovative solutions, including digital health technologies, medical devices, screening and diagnostic tools, to address critical gaps in primary healthcare and tuberculosis (TB) care, particularly in underserved communities in India. Despite increased investments and expanded treatment coverage, TB remains a major public health challenge, with India accounting for 2.7 million cases and over 300,000 deaths in 2023. Diagnosis, treatment adherence, and prevention continue to face significant barriers, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Traditional diagnostic tools often lack sensitivity and specificity, leading to missed cases, while treatment adherence is hindered by stigma, socioeconomic constraints, and complex regimens. Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) further complicates disease management, necessitating more effective solutions. Emerging concerns, such as subclinical and incipient TB, contribute to continued transmission, highlighting the need for advanced technologies in screening and diagnosis. Climate change further threatens TB care by disrupting healthcare access through extreme weather, displacement, and environmental stressors. Heat stress, for instance, can degrade diagnostic reagents and reduce the efficacy of heat-sensitive drugs, affecting treatment outcomes. Strengthening health systems with climate-resilient diagnostic tools and delivery mechanisms is crucial.
IHF seeks solutions that integrate health innovations and climate resilience into TB care. Proposals that enhance early detection, improve disease management, and ensure long-term health system resilience will be prioritized. By supporting transformative innovations, IHF aims to bridge existing gaps while future-proofing India’s health systems against emerging threats, ensuring equitable access to high-quality healthcare.
Despite global efforts to control tuberculosis (TB), significant gaps persist in the timely detection of the disease, particularly among high-risk and vulnerable populations. Traditional TB diagnostic methods, such as smear microscopy, suffer from low sensitivity, especially in individuals with low bacterial loads (e.g., children, people living with HIV, and those with comorbidities). Additionally, the reliance on sputum-based diagnostics presents challenges in populations where sample collection is difficult, such as pediatrics and individuals with weakened immune systems. Additionally, access to rapid molecular diagnostics remains limited in many peripheral health centers, further delaying diagnosis and treatment initiation.
To address these gaps, there is a critical need for screening and diagnostic solutions that are rapid, accurate, affordable, scalable and relevant to the contextual needs of the population. These decentralized solutions should be accessible in resource-limited settings, including migrant communities, tribal populations, and difficult to reach populations. Innovations in non-sputum-based diagnostics or screening technologies, such as blood-based, urine-based, or breath-based tests, AI-assisted radiology imaging (including chest X-ray interpretation, ultrasound-based screening, and clinical decision support systems etc.), molecular and biosensor-based testing, and integrated drug resistance detection hold the potential to significantly enhance TB case detection, improve treatment outcomes, and reduce transmission.
Need # 1: Cost-effective innovations for easy sample collection, handling, and storage, which can minimize the risk of exposure.
Scope of Innovations:
Need #2: Accurate, rapid, affordable, and decentralized TB screening and diagnostic solutions—including non-sputum-based, point-of-care, minimally/noninvasive tools—to improve screening and detection of all forms of TB (pulmonary, extrapulmonary, drug-resistant) suited to address the needs in high-risk (migrant workers, tribals, persons with co-morbidities etc.) and vulnerable populations (pediatrics, immuno-compromised, other vulnerable populations etc).
Scope of Innovations:
Need # 3: Scalable and Replicable ready to deploy models for integrated TB screening and diagnostics.
Scope of Innovations:
Additionally, applicants may also consider designing a program incorporating a combination of the above-mentioned approaches.
Problem Statement 2: Bridging the Gaps in TB Detection Across the Disease Spectrum to address TB’s silent and emerging forms.
Traditional TB classification, which categorizes the disease as either latent TB infection (LTBI) or active TB, no longer fully captures the complexity of TB progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that TB exists on a dynamic spectrum, ranging from latent, incipient to subclinical TB, where individuals harbor Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) but remain asymptomatic while still capable of transmitting the infection. Research indicates that TB transmission occurs from individuals with subclinical TB before they progress to symptomatic active disease. Furthermore, a significant proportion of individuals with LTBI—estimated at 5-10%—will progress to active TB in their lifetime, with higher risks among immunocompromised individuals and household contacts of active TB patients.
To effectively reduce TB incidence and improve case detection, diagnostic strategies must evolve beyond conventional methods to detect TB across this spectrum. Advancements in non-invasive biomarker-based assays (e.g., host RNA signatures, TB antigen-based skin tests etc.), AI-powered CXR and CAD algorithms, and next-generation molecular diagnostics (e.g., CRISPR-based, multi-target NAATs etc.) offer the potential to detect TB in its earliest forms. Additionally, innovative LTBI diagnostics that may also differentiate incipient TB from persistent LTBI and predict progression to active TB are critical for targeting preventive therapy to individuals at the highest risk, including healthcare workers and close contacts of active TB patients. Integrating these advanced diagnostic tools into routine TB programs can bridge detection gaps, reduce transmission, and accelerate TB elimination efforts.
Need #4: Tools for detecting subclinical/incipient in individuals with sporadic/no symptoms, particularly in high-burden regions.
Need #5: Rapid diagnostics for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in high-risk populations.
Scope of Innovations:
Traditional TB diagnostic methods often face challenges related to accessibility, turnaround time, and reliance on specialized skillset. These limitations hinder timely diagnosis and treatment initiation, particularly in low-resource and high-burden settings. Leveraging AI, machine learning, and integrated digital platforms that not only address TB but also other lung health conditions, hold the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline patient tracking, enhance treatment adherence, and provide lung health assessment. Digital platforms could also integrate diagnostic results with patient management systems while reducing errors and inefficiencies arising because of dependency on manual processes. While innovations such as AI-driven diagnostics, Digital Adherence Technologies (DATs), and automated reporting tools (e.g., QR-code-based sample tracking) demonstrate promise, their isolated application fails to address systemic inefficiencies in TB care pathways. This highlights the need for multi-component, context-sensitive designs that have the potential to strengthen the existing system.
Need #6: Digital health tools to improve efficiency, monitoring, and reporting of TB diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up and other associated lung health conditions.
Scope of Innovations:
The project duration along with clear project outcomes defined by the applicant will be subject to detailed evaluation and approval by the funding committee. Promising proposals
will be supported with funding by IHF, ACT Grants, IPE Global and IKP Knowledge Park
contingent on milestones achieved at different stages.
EVALUATION & SELECTION CRITERIA
The following falls outside the scope of the Call and will not be supported by partners:
Process step | Date(s) | |
Announcement for Applications | 24th March 2025 | |
| ||
Application submission deadline | 30th April 2025 (5 weeks) | |
| 12th May 2025 | |
| 19th May 2025 | |
| Before 31st May 2025 (Subject to experts’ availability) | |
Internal due diligence, including site visits and approval process | June- Mid July | |
Due diligence at operational and technical levels and third-party financial audit of the awardee will be conducted by organizers of the call. Satisfactory completion of the same is mandatory for the issuance of award letter. | ||
Decision on awardees and intimation of the same (based on only those applications received by the 5th of May 2025 | Sept 1st week 2025 (Subject to the satisfactory completion of due diligence & approval process) | |
* Note: Any changes in timelines will be intimated to relevant applicants at every stage.
For applications and queries, please reach out at contact@indiahealthfund.org
India Health Fund (IHF), incorporated as Confluence for Health Action and Transformation Foundation (under Section 8 of Companies Act, 2013), was seeded in 2017 by Tata Trusts and with strategic support from The Global Fund. (IHF) was conceived to accelerate India’s progress towards the elimination of infectious diseases. IHF does this by addressing the gaps in funding for product development, in mentorship and in market access that are often faced by small and mid-size entities with powerful ideas that have the potential to significantly improve outcomes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases. IHF also works to develop effective business models, implementation partnerships and financing mechanisms which help to significantly scale up these solutions – enabling impact at scale.
IPE Global is an Indian organization with global reach providing development sector implementation services focused on achieving three interlinked development outcomes of inclusive growth and resilience: human development and good governance. IPE Global aligns its solutions and offerings with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on impact and transforming the world for the better. IPE Global’s service offerings include sectors like: Health, Nutrition & WASH; Education & Skills Development; Economic Development; Sustainable Cities; Community Development; and Environment and Climate Change. It exclusively works in the development sector with partners like: (i) National and State Governments: MoHFW, MWCD, MoRD, MoF, MoHUA, NITI Aayog, etc; (ii) Multilateral and Bilateral Donors: FCDO, World Bank, USG, ADB, UNICEF, WHO, etc.; and (iii) Philanthropic Organizations: CIFF, Gates Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, etc. Over the last 25 years, IPE Global has successfully implemented over 1100 projects in more than 100 countries. Public health is one of the core areas of work for IPE Global and it works extensively in this space at national, state and community level. IPE Global’s work in this area ranges from providing policy level support, innovative financing solutions, program management to community level interventions focused on sustained behavioral change around health, nutrition, and WASH practices.
IHF, ACT Grants, IPE Global and IKP Knowledge Park are strong believers in collaborative funding models to bring about greater impact, multiplier effect, and demonstrate innovative models of financing in the infectious disease ecosystem. This RFP will be co-funded by IHF, ACT Grants, IPE Global and IKP Knowledge Park. While IHF and ACT Grants and IKP Knowledge Park largely derisk through non-dilutive funding (non-returnable grants models), IPE Global also enables others forms of capital like returnable grants, debt , guarantees etc. The aim of the collaboration is to develop a larger pool of funds to support more innovations, enable suitable forms of capital depending on the stage of innovation (mid to late stage, deployment project etc.) with an endeavor to develop sustainable models. The scope of this call for proposals involves assessing the mid-to-late stage ready to deploy innovations for funding and other forms of support as listed in the programs offering section.
As an important part of the evaluation process, we request all applicants to keep IHF, ACT Grants, IPE Global and IKP Knowledge Park teams updated on any co-funding and partnership efforts with reference to the application to be submitted in this call. We value transparency in the funding process.
Disclaimer: The call is a voluntaryand discretionary measure in addressing the public health problem of infectious diseases in India. Therefore, IHF, ACT Grants, IPE Global and IKP Knowledge Park reserve the right to the following:
Yes, you can submit multiple applications if they fall within the above focus areas and evaluation criteria. Please note that each application is associated with one email address. Therefore, please use different email addresses if you are making more than one application.
We do not have any limit on the number of awardees per problem statement. The final funding decision on proposals will be purely assessed on merit.
India Health Fund and partners do not suggest any funding (grant and/or equity) size for the proposals submitted through the RFP. The financial ask should be realistic and in alignment with the proposed work. The decision to approve the funding request, periodicity, and the conditions of disbursements lie solely with IHF and partners.
IHF and partners are strong believers of collaborative funding models to bring about bigger impact and a multiplier effect in the infectious disease ecosystem. The proportion of co-funding and support sought from IHF, and partners will be assessed and may vary on a case-to-case basis. As an important part of the evaluation process, we request all applicants to keep IHF and partners updated on any existing co-funding and partnership efforts regarding the application. We value transparency in the funding process.
This request for proposal is meant for innovations at or above TRL-4. Therefore, funding can be utilized for product/technology development, clinical testing and validation, commercial validation, and associated expenses for the same (e.g. labour and talent, consumables, equipment, project-related travel, etc.). The funding should solely be used for restricted work within the focus areas mentioned.
Due diligence includes a holistic evaluation of your organization and application. It will cover aspects including, but not limited to, technical and operational feasibility and rationality, the progress of clinical study, financial assessment, and refinement of the business model. It will also include reflecting on the long-term vision, goal, and intermediary outcomes envisaged in the proposal, project implementation plan, and competence of the applicant. Due diligence may require multiple iterations between IHF & partners, technical experts, external independent auditors, who may be hired to assist in the process, and applicants. Awards will be announced purely on merit basis and after completion of a rigorous due diligence process. Mere satisfactory completion of due diligence does not entitle an applicant to funding and support.
No. Once shortlisted, applicant organizations will have to produce relevant supporting documents to support their registration status, without which the application will not move through the selection process.
Yes, an applicant will be eligible for funding upon final selection but the final decision on funding will be taken after due diligence as described above.
Applicant organizations will have to produce relevant supporting documents if they are shortlisted, without which the shortlist process cannot proceed. Therefore, the applicant should apply with the registration document.
The call will be accepting applications only in English. However, if applicable, you can submit supporting documents in a vernacular language while giving us a translated copy in English of the same.
IHF and partners work towards saving human lives as their highest priority and this will be the guiding philosophy for promoting solutions towards achieving the goal. Therefore, IHF encourages applicants to share knowledge, processes and solutions that emerge from the project for benefit of society and accelerate the same in times of crisis.
IHF and partners emphasize that the project outcomes be published in open access peer reviewed journals. It is urged that the successful applicant disseminates information about the development of the solutions with a wider audience and stakeholders.
The various levels of Technology readiness level are briefly described as follows:
TRL 9 – Technology has been applied in its final form and is operational.
TRL 8 – Technology is proven and developed but not yet operational or applied anywhere.
TRL 7 – Actual system prototype is near completion or ready and has been demonstrated in an operational environment or is at pilot level.
TRL 6 – The prototype is being tested in a simulated operational environment or a high-fidelity laboratory environment.
TRL 5 – Technology has been put together and can be tested in a simulated environment.
TRL 4 – Basic technological components have been integrated to establish that they work together.
TRL 3 – Proof-of-Concept stage / Active R&D/ Advanced prototype has been initiated. This includes analytical studies and laboratory studies to physically validate the analytical predictions of separate elements of technology.
TRL 2 – Technology concept/application has been formulated.
TRL 1 – There are research studies to support the technology’s basic properties.
For additional information please refer to the following links:
India Health Fund is registered as Confluence for Health Action and Transformation Foundation (CHATF), a Section 8
charitable company incorporated in India, supported by the Tata Trusts.