Archive · 4 Sep 2026
AICTE Launches ₹245-Crore Fellowship to Drive Innovation-Focused PhD Research
AICTE has started a new programme for students doing PhD research.
It is called the AICTE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme.
The programme will support 150 scholars for up to five years.
Scholars will receive monthly financial support, with a higher amount during the final two years.
They may also receive up to ₹10 lakh to develop and test their ideas.
The research should solve real-world problems instead of remaining only theoretical.
Students may work with companies, startups, research organisations and incubators.
The goal is to help useful research become prototypes, patents, businesses or solutions for society.
AICTE launched the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme on September 3, 2026.
The programme has a projected outlay of ₹245 crore over five years and will support 150 PhD fellowships.
Selected scholars will receive ₹60,000 monthly for the first three years and ₹70,000 monthly for the next two years, plus applicable HRA.
Each scholar may receive an Innovation Grant of up to ₹10 lakh for prototypes, testing, validation, field trials and related research activities.
The initiative aims to connect doctoral research with industry, startups and societal needs while supporting commercialisation and entrepreneurship.
- Who
- The All India Council for Technical Education launched the programme through Chairman Prof. Yogesh Singh and Member Secretary Prof. Shyama Rath.
- What
- The AICTE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme was launched to support practical, application-oriented doctoral research.
- When
- It was launched on September 3, 2026, and is planned to support fellowships for up to five years.
- Where
- The articles do not specify a launch location.
- Why
- The programme aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, commercialisation and research with societal impact.
- Programme
- AICTE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme (AIEDFP)
- Projected outlay
- ₹245 crore over five years
- Fellowships
- 150 PhD fellowships
- Fellowship duration
- Up to five years, subject to eligibility and satisfactory research progress
- Monthly support
- ₹60,000 plus applicable HRA for the first three years; ₹70,000 plus HRA for the next two years
- Innovation Grant
- Up to ₹10 lakh per scholar
- Industry exposure
- Optional placements or exposure lasting six to 12 months
