AICTE Unveils Rs 245 Crore Doctoral Fellowship for Innovation-Led Research
AICTE launches a Rs 245 crore fellowship to fund 150 PhDs focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-world impact.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched a new doctoral fellowship scheme designed to steer research towards practical innovation and entrepreneurship. The AICTE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme (AIEDFP) was introduced by AICTE Chairman Professor Yogesh Singh and Member Secretary Professor Shyama Rath.
The programme carries a proposed financial outlay of Rs 245 crore spread over five years, with plans to support 150 PhD fellowships. Its core objective is to encourage doctoral research that tackles real-world challenges, moving beyond purely academic outcomes. The initiative places a strong emphasis on innovation, technology transfer, commercialisation, and measurable societal impact.
Selected scholars will receive financial assistance for up to five years, subject to eligibility criteria and satisfactory academic progress. The monthly fellowship is set at Rs 60,000 for the first three years, along with applicable House Rent Allowance (HRA). This amount rises to Rs 70,000 per month, plus HRA, for the fourth and fifth years.
In addition to the stipend, each fellow can access an Innovation Grant of up to Rs 10 lakh. These funds are intended for research-related activities such as prototype development, testing, validation, field trials, and travel.
Through AIEDFP, AICTE aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world application. The scheme is designed to strengthen the link between doctoral studies, innovation, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on developing solutions to pressing societal challenges. By supporting application-oriented research, the initiative is expected to contribute to India's shift towards a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy.