The Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS), launched by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), is designed to provide financial support in the form of research grants to young faculty members working in Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) institutes. This scheme promotes collaborative research among faculty members across different institutions, aiming to build a robust research community in technical education. The research collaboration is intended to enhance the quality of research and foster knowledge exchange among participating institutions.
Objective
Duration of the Project : The duration of the project will be one year from the date of receipt of the funds in the institute’s account.
Processing Methodology
- Expert Committee: The proposal will be assessed by a three-member expert committee, each member not below the rank of Associate Professor. If any of the three members are unavailable, a fourth member will evaluate the proposal.
- Stream Representation: At least two of the experts should be from the concerned research stream.
Terms and Conditions
- Principal Investigator (PI): The PI will have primary responsibility for the implementation of the project.
- Co-PI: If the PI leaves the institution or goes on leave, the Co-PI-1 can continue with the project, subject to consent from the PI and approval from AICTE.
- Project Termination: If the PI leaves and there is no other Co-Investigator, the project will be terminated, and the Utilization Certificate will be submitted.
- Fund Utilization: The funds will be used strictly for the purposes specified in the sanction letter. Re-appropriation of funds is not allowed. The budget is divided into Recurring (40%) and Non-Recurring (60%) categories.
- No Additional Grant: After the project is sanctioned, no additional grants will be considered.
- No Overseas Travel: Funds cannot be used for travel abroad for conferences. However, travel expenses for conferences/seminars within India may be covered under the recurring grant component.
Benefits
- Maximum Funding: ₹25,00,000 per project
- Recurring (40%) and Non-Recurring (60%) components for the total grant.
- Bank Account: Institutions must open a separate account in a nationalized bank for managing the grant.
Disbursement of Funds
- First Installment: 25% of the total sanctioned Non-recurring and Recurring Grant will be released in the first installment.
- Subsequent Installments: Remaining funds will be disbursed after the submission of the Utilization Certificate, required documents, and expert committee review.
Eligibility
- Faculty Group: A proposal must be submitted by a group of at least three faculty members.
- TEQIP Institute: One faculty member from the TEQIP Host Institute will serve as the Principal Investigator (PI).
- Co-PIs: The group must have a maximum of four or minimum of two Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs), with one Co-PI-1 from the Host Institute.
- Proposal Limit: A Principal Investigator can submit a maximum of two proposals, but only one proposal will be sanctioned at any given time.
Application Process
Online Application:
- Step 1: Visit AICTE Partner Portal and click on the “New Institute” button to register.
- Step 2: Sign up and verify through OTP, then click on “Sign Up Now” to complete the registration.
- Step 3: After registration, log in and go to CRS Application Screen.
- Step 4: Enter all necessary details (Institute, Bank, Co-PI Information).
- Step 5: Create CRS Application by selecting the Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS).
- Step 6: Enter project details, attach relevant documents, and submit the application.
Documents Required
- Mandate form: Signed by the Head of the Institution and Bank authority.
- Collaboration Certificate: Signed by PI, Co-PIs, and Head of the Institution.
- Bio-data of PI & Co-PIs.
- Research Proposal: Brief summary of the project, including activities, timelines, and expected outcomes (max 500 words).
- Equipment List.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS)?
AICTE’s CRS is a financial award program meant to help TEQIP institution faculty members engage in joint research projects.
Q2: Oversaw this program?
The scheme is run under Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP) by AICTE.
Q3: Under this arrangement, who can submit proposals?
Proposals can be submitted by a group of at least three academic members, one of whom serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) from a TEQIP institution.
Q4: A PI can send what maximum number of proposals?
Though only one will be approved at a time, a PI can submit a maximum of two proposals.
Q5: The project spans what length?
One year from the date of fund receipt constitutes the project length.
Q6: The scheme’s financing maximum is what?
Projects get maximum investment of ₹25,00,000.
Q7: Recurring and non-recurring expenses have what ratio?
Forty percent of the grant goes for recurring expenses and sixty percent for non-recurring ones.
Q8: Is more financial help possible?
No, extra money would be given just in particular circumstances decided upon by AICTE.
Q9: The proposal will be evaluated by who?
An expert committee with at least three members—including professionals from the pertinent field of research—will assess the proposal.
Sources and References
- Guidelines: AICTE CRS Guidelines
- User Manual: AICTE CRS Manual