The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched the AICTE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme (AIEDFP) to encourage PhD research focused on practical applications, innovation and entrepreneurship. The programme has a projected financial outlay of ₹245 crore over five years and will support 150 PhD fellowships.
The initiative, launched by AICTE Chairman Prof Yogesh Singh and Member Secretary Prof Shyama Rath, aims to strengthen the connection between doctoral research, industry and real-world challenges. Unlike research focused primarily on academic outcomes, the programme will encourage scholars to develop solutions that can potentially lead to products, services, technology transfer, commercialisation and social impact.
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship 2026: Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | AIEDFP |
| Full Form | AICTE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme |
| Total Outlay | ₹245 crore |
| Duration | 5 years |
| PhD Fellowships | 150 |
| First 3 Years | ₹60,000/month + applicable HRA |
| Next 2 Years | ₹70,000/month + applicable HRA |
| Innovation Grant | Up to ₹10 lakh per scholar |
AICTE PhD Fellowship: Stipend and Innovation Grant
Selected scholars will be eligible for financial support for a maximum period of five years, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions and satisfactory academic and research progress. Fellows will receive ₹60,000 per month plus applicable HRA during the first three years. The fellowship will increase to ₹70,000 per month plus applicable HRA for the following two years.
In addition to the monthly fellowship, each scholar may receive an Innovation Grant of up to ₹10 lakh. The grant can support activities such as prototype development, testing and validation, field trials, data collection, travel and other eligible research activities required to convert research outcomes into deployable solutions.
Focus on Innovation, Startups and Industry Collaboration
The AIEDFP will support both technological and non-technological innovation. AICTE also plans to encourage multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research addressing national and global priorities. The programme is intended to help move promising research beyond laboratories and academic publications towards practical applications.
The programme will also encourage collaboration between researchers and industry, startups, research organisations and incubators. Scholars may receive opportunities for optional industrial exposure of six to 12 months, allowing them to participate in activities such as research and development, prototype development, testing and field trials.
AICTE has also indicated that the programme will recognise innovation beyond conventional technology and engineering research. Social science research can demonstrate impact through areas such as policy outcomes, community-level interventions, qualitative research and social innovation.
What Is the Aim of AIEDFP?
The broader objective of the AICTE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme is to create a stronger pathway from doctoral research to patents, prototypes, technology transfer, commercialisation and entrepreneurial ventures. The initiative is expected to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem by encouraging researchers to focus on solutions with measurable industry and societal impact.
FAQs
What is the AICTE doctoral fellowship 2026?
It is the AICTE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Doctoral Fellowship Programme (AIEDFP), designed to support application-oriented PhD research.
How many PhD fellowships will AICTE provide?
The programme will support 150 PhD fellowships over five years.
What is the AICTE PhD fellowship amount?
The fellowship is ₹60,000 per month plus applicable HRA for the first three years and ₹70,000 per month plus applicable HRA for the next two years.
