AICTE-Research Promotion Scheme is the research initiative undertaken by All India Council for Technical Education, a Department of Higher Education initiative. The research scheme has the intention of supporting financial research work on thrust areas in technical education at the PG level, under an approved institution having qualified faculty members.
Objective
- To encourage technical institutions and university departments to engage in innovative research.
- To provide financial support to full-time regular faculty for pursuing research projects in identified thrust areas.
- To strengthen the research infrastructure in institutions for advanced learning and problem-solving.
Benefits
- Duration of the Project:
- The project duration is three years from the date of fund receipt in the institute’s account.
- Funding Limit:
- The maximum grant available under the scheme is ₹25,00,000.
- The fund allocation is divided as:
- 75% for Non-Recurring expenses (equipment, infrastructure).
- 25% for Recurring expenses (materials, travel for national conferences).
- Disbursement of Funds:
- 100% Non-recurring and 50% Recurring of the total sanctioned grant will be released initially.
- The remaining 50% of the Recurring grant will be disbursed after submission of the Audited Utilization Certificate (AUC) and other required documents.
Important Notes on Fund Utilization
- Re-appropriation of funds from Recurring to Non-Recurring is allowed, but not vice versa.
- Non-Recurring funds can only be used for equipment as specified in the sanction letter.
- Recurring grants:
- Cannot be used for international travel.
- Can be used for national conferences, hiring contract staff (if recommended), and purchasing consumables.
- Cannot be used for hiring permanent staff.
Eligibility Criteria
- Institutional Requirements:
- AICTE-approved Technical Institutions or University Departments with relevant PG programs.
- Institutes must have preliminary research facilities available.
- Faculty Requirements:
- Full-time regular faculty with research experience and publications.
- Proposal Submission:
- Only one proposal per Principal Investigator (PI) can be active at any given time.
- Maximum Proposals per Institute:
- Government Institutes: Up to 5 proposals (but only 2 approved at a time).
- Private Institutes: Up to 3 proposals (but only 2 approved at a time).
Exclusions
- Ongoing Project Restrictions:
PIs with ongoing RPS projects will not be considered for new proposals until the existing project is completed.
Application Process Online
- Log In AICTE Official Website Portal
- Visit the AICTE website and click on “Web Portal Login.”
- Log in with your institute’s credentials.
- Bank Details Setup:
- Navigate to “AQIS Application – Institute Details.”
- Ensure that:
- The bank account is a Savings Account.
- The account holder’s name is the institution’s name, not a personal name.
- Attach Mandatory Documents:
- Upload the Verified Bank Mandate Form and Declaration Certificate in the AQIS Document Attachment section.
- Initiate New Application:
- Select “RPS – Research Promotion Scheme” under the AQIS schemes dropdown.
- Fill in Coordinator and PI details, including academic credentials.
- Validate and submit the application.
- Submit Proposal:
- Once all sections are completed, click “Validate” and “Submit” to finalize the application.
Documents Required
- Annual Progress Report (APR)
- Audited Utilization Certificate (AUC)
- Receipts & Payments Statement (R&P)
- Statement of Expenditure (SoE)
- Purchase Bills & Vouchers
- Stock Entry Register
- Project Completion Report (PCR)
- Feedback Form
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the duration of the project?
The project duration is three years from the date of fund receipt.
Q2: What is the maximum funding limit?
The maximum limit is ₹25,00,000.
Q3: How is the grant distributed?
- 75% for Non-Recurring and 25% for Recurring expenses.
Q4: Can the recurring grant be used for international travel?
No, the recurring grant cannot be used for travel abroad.
Q5: How many proposals can an institute submit?
- Government Institutes: Up to 5 proposals (with only 2 active at a time).
- Private Institutes: Up to 3 proposals (with only 2 active at a time).
Q6: Can equipment be purchased under this scheme?
Yes, equipment purchases are allowed under the Non-Recurring grant, as per AICTE specifications.
Q7: Does the submission of an application guarantee funding?
No, funding is subject to AICTE approval based on merit and availability of funds.
Sources and References
- AICTE Official Website
- Guidelines
- Format of Mandatory Documents
- Email: [email protected], [email protected]
- Contact Number: 011-29581524