The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has opened applications for its prestigious Industry Fellowship Program 2025, aimed at fostering collaboration between academia and industry. The program will select 350 faculty members to serve as full-time industry fellows for a minimum of one year during the 2025–26 academic session. Interested candidates can apply through the official portal at ifp.aicte.gov.in until October 15.

Who can apply?

Applicants must be under 45 years of age and possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution. Additionally, they should have at least five years of regular teaching experience in AICTE-approved institutions. Periods spent on doctoral/post-doctoral research or deputation will not count toward the experience requirement.

Eligible candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

·        Qualification in national or state-level exams such as GATE, GRE, CAT, MAT, JRF, SRF, NET, or equivalent for postgraduate/doctoral admission.

·        Authorship of five or more research articles in Scopus or Web of Science (WoS)-indexed journals.

·        Completion of government or agency-funded projects with a cumulative grant of ₹15 lakh or more.

·        Recognition through young scientist awards or other academic accolades from central/state governments, universities, or recognized agencies.

·        Top academic distinctions, such as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rank in undergraduate/postgraduate programmes, honors, or a ‘Best Thesis Award’ at the doctoral level.

Industry participation requirements

Companies hosting fellows must have a registered office in India, at least five years of operational history, and demonstrate financial stability with a minimum annual turnover of ₹100 crore over the last three years. Eligible entities include proprietorships, partnerships, private or public limited companies, and PSUs. Preference will be given to listed firms or companies with an overseas presence.

Required documents

Candidates must submit:

·        Recent passport-sized photograph (JPEG, ≤100 KB)

·        Aadhaar and PAN cards

·        Academic certificates and mark sheets

·        Experience certificates

·        No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the parent institution

Financial support

Selected fellows will receive a monthly stipend of ₹75,000, with an additional ₹25,000 contribution from host industries, on top of their existing institutional salary.

Program timeline

·        Selection process: November 1–15, 2025

·        Fellowship commencement: December 1, 2025

Work domains

Participants will gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge sectors, including advanced materials, semiconductors, space and defence, AI, quantum technologies, smart cities, mobility, agritech, food processing, blue economy, sustainability, and climate change, among others.

Selection process

The fellowship follows a three-stage process:

1.     Application review and document verification

2.     Interviews conducted by industry partners

3.     Final verification by the host industry to confirm eligibility and readiness for placement

This program presents a unique opportunity for faculty members to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industrial practice, gain exposure to high-impact technologies, and contribute to India’s evolving innovation ecosystem.