Faculty members offered industry fellowship grants
Faculty members can now apply for the second round of the AICTE’s Industry Fellowship Programme (IFP) for 2026–27, enabling them to work in industry settings without losing their salaries. The initiative, launched by the All India Council for Technical Education, aims to connect academic teaching with real-world industrial demands.
Interested candidates can submit their applications through the official website, ifp.aicte.gov.in, until December 15, 2026. The fellowship will bridge the gap between academic teaching and industry requirements by allowing faculty members from technical institutions to work directly with companies on real-world projects.
This initiative helps educators grasp new technologies and gain job-ready skills, while integrating practical insights into lectures. Recipients get a monthly stipend of at least Rs 1 lakh, with AICTE providing Rs 75,000 and the host company contributing a minimum of Rs 25,000.
While on the fellowship, teachers retain their standard salaries from their home institutions. The role involves a one-year stint in an industrial setting, offering direct insight into professional operations, technological shifts and research uses.
The scheme covers emerging and strategically important sectors like artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, healthcare technology, sustainability, space and defence, smart mobility and critical minerals. To qualify for the fellowship, applicants need to be Indian citizens and regular faculty members employed at AICTE-approved institutions or universities.
They need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited body and at least five years of full-time teaching experience. Candidates cannot be over 50 years old as of November 13, 2026. Doctoral or postdoctoral research time and deputation do not count towards the teaching requirement.
Faculty members working on contractual, temporary, part-time, ad hoc or visiting appointments are not eligible. Applicants must also meet at least one additional academic or professional requirement, such as qualifying examinations like GATE, GRE, CAT, MAT, NET, JRF or SRF.
During the period, participants will interact with industry experts, assist in current projects, and learn the technical abilities employers expect from graduates. This experience will enable teachers to improve research focus and acquire practical knowledge for classroom instruction.
