The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has started accepting applications for its Industry Fellowship Programme 2026-27. The programme aims to give faculty members an opportunity to gain practical experience by working full-time in industries for a minimum period of one year.Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official website, ifp.aicte.gov.in. The last date to apply is December 15, 2026.Under the programme, AICTE will offer fellowships to 350 faculty members in the current phase. The council plans to increase the number of participants to 1,500 every year by 2029-30.Selected candidates will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1 lakh during the fellowship period. Of this amount, Rs 75,000 will be contributed by AICTE, while the industry partner will provide the remaining Rs 25,000.The programme will allow faculty members to work with industry experts, learn about advanced technologies and gain experience in research projects related to current industry requirements.
Eligibility criteria
Faculty members interested in applying for the programme must meet the eligibility conditions set by AICTE.The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Candidates must have at least five years of full-time teaching experience at an AICTE-approved institution.
- Applicants must be regular faculty members of AICTE-approved institutions or universities.
- Candidates must have qualified in at least one of the following examinations or meet one of the listed achievements:
- Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Common Admission Test (CAT), Management Aptitude Test (MAT), Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), State Eligibility Test (SET) or National Eligibility Test (NET).
- Authored at least five articles in Scopus or Web of Science (WoS) journals.
- Successfully completed projects funded by Central or State Government agencies worth at least Rs 15 lakh.
- Received young scientist or other proficiency awards from State or Central Government bodies, universities or agencies.
- Graduated from a top-ranked university or institute with a first, second or third rank, or completed a doctoral programme with honours or a Best Thesis Award.
- Candidates must submit a nomination and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their parent institution.
- The maximum age limit is 50 years.
Stipend and benefits
Selected faculty members will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1 lakh throughout the fellowship.The stipend will be divided as follows:
| Funding source | Monthly contribution |
|---|---|
| AICTE | Rs 75,000 |
| Industry partner | Rs 25,000 |
| Total stipend | Rs 1,00,000 |
Apart from financial support, the programme will give participants an opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience and work with advanced technologies.Fellows will also be able to connect with industry experts and build professional networks. The programme aims to improve their research exposure, employability and leadership skills while supporting their academic and professional growth.
How to apply
Eligible faculty members can submit their applications through the official website, ifp.aicte.gov.in. The application process must be completed by December 15, 2026.Candidates should check the eligibility conditions and keep the required nomination and No Objection Certificate from their parent institution ready before applying.
