Startup India Seed Fund Scheme- For Incubators 2026

The AICTE-Professional Development Scheme supports bright faculty members by helping them present their research at international conferences, Read More... both in India and abroad. Read less

Details

Are you a faculty member or an AICTE officer looking to present your research on a global stage? The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has a scheme to help you do just that!

What Is This Scheme?

The AICTE-Professional Development Scheme is designed to give financial support to regular faculty members from AICTE-approved institutes, as well as AICTE officers. This support helps them to present their research papers at international conferences, whether they are held abroad or within India. The main goal is to allow talented faculty and officers to engage with international peers, stay updated with global advancements in their fields, and enhance their professional knowledge.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is for full-time regular faculty members working in AICTE-approved institutes or AICTE-approved university departments that have been around for at least 5 years. It also extends to AICTE officers who are at the Assistant Director level or higher, working on a regular or deputation basis.

Why This Scheme Is Important

In today's fast-paced world, staying connected with international research and developments is crucial for professional growth. This scheme provides a fantastic opportunity for Indian faculty and officers to gain global exposure, share their work, and bring back valuable insights that can benefit their institutions and contribute to the advancement of technical education in India.

Objective

The AICTE-Professional Development Scheme supports bright faculty members by helping them present their research at international conferences, both in India and abroad.

Benefits

A Grant of up to ₹5 (five) crore would be provided to a selected incubator in milestone-based three (or) more installments.
A component of Management Fee @ 5% of the Seed Fund grant to the incubator will be provisioned (i.e. if an incubator is granted ₹1 crore of Seed Fund, then by including management fee @ 5%, the total assistance would be ₹1.050 crore).

Note 01:The exact quantum of grant and installments for each incubator will be decided by the Experts Advisory Committee (EAC) based on its evaluation.

Note 02:Incubators shall use the grant only for disbursal to eligible startups and shall not use the grant for facility creation or any other expenses.

Note 03:The Management Fee provisioned for incubators shall not be used by the incubator for facility creation or any other administrative expenses. The Management Fee will be utilized for administrative expenditure, selection and due diligence of startups, and monitoring of the progress of beneficiary startups.

Note 04:Installments shall be released to incubators upon submission of proofs of achievement of milestones as decided by EAC. A Proportionate Management fee shall also be released with each installment.

Note 05:The quantum of the first installment may be up to 40% of the total approved commitment. When the cash-in-hand of the incubator goes below 10% of the total commitment by EAC, the Incubator may request for the next installment, which shall be released to the incubator within 30 days of submission of proof of achievement of milestones.

Note 06:The grant should be utilized fully by the incubator within a period of three years from the date of receipt of the first installment of funds.

Note 07:If the Incubator has not utilized at least 50% of the total commitment within the first 2 years, then the Incubator will not be eligible for any further drawdowns. It will return all unutilized funds along with interest.

Note 08:Interest earned on all unutilized funds available with incubators shall be taken into account and adjusted at the time of the next release.

Note 09:The financing of beneficiaries will be done with efficiency and care. Selected incubators would be responsible for proper management and disbursement of the Seed Fund.

Note 10:The selected incubator shall maintain a transparent process of selection, monitoring, and disbursement mechanism for the fund. Seed Fund would be disbursed to selected startups after due diligence by the incubator.

Note 11:The incubators shall be responsible for providing physical infrastructure to the selected startups for regular functioning, support for testing and validating ideas, mentoring for prototype or product development or commercialization, and developing capacities in finance, human resources, legal compliances, and other functions. They are also expected to provide networking with investors and opportunities for showcasing at various national and international events. If the selected startup does not want to utilize the physical infrastructure of the incubator, the incubator shall offer all other resources and services to the startup.

Note 12:A startup selected by an incubator for assistance under this scheme shall not be charged any fees.

Sources and references

Startup India Website

Eligibility Criteria

You must be a full-time, regular faculty member at an AICTE-approved institute or an AICTE-approved university department that has been established for at least 5 years.
AICTE officers holding the position of Assistant Director or above, who are working on a regular or deputation basis, are also eligible.
You should not have received any grant under this specific scheme in the last three years.
You must have received an official acceptance letter from the conference organizers to present your paper, whether the conference is abroad or within India.

How To Apply

To apply for this scheme, you need to submit your proposal three months before the conference date. The process involves:

Paper Acceptance: First, ensure you have received acceptance of your paper from the conference organizer.
Proposal Submission: Submit your application proposal to AICTE at least three months in advance of the conference.
Claim Submission (Post-Conference): After attending the conference, you must submit your reimbursement claim to AICTE through your Head of Institution. This claim, along with all supporting documents, must be sent within two months of completing your visit.

Official Address for Claims:

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi - 110070

Application Link: Applications are typically submitted through institutional channels. Please refer to the official AICTE website or contact your institution's administration for the latest application portal or specific instructions.

Documents Required

After your conference, you need to submit a claim for reimbursement with the following documents:

An attested copy of your passport showing visa and immigration stamps as proof of travel.
A self-attested certificate confirming the journey undertaken.
A detailed statement of the expenses incurred against the travel grant, broken down by category.
Original and legible air tickets of Air-India or Indian Airlines, along with the original boarding pass.
If you did not travel by Air-India, you need an official certificate from Air-India stating that no flight was available on that route.
The letter of acceptance for your paper from the conference organizer.
The original receipt for the registration fee paid.
A copy of the paper you presented at the conference.
Vouchers showing the exchange rate for any foreign currency purchased.
Travel documents or a participation certificate from the concerned agency.
A progress report on the international conference, detailing its outcome and benefits, and scientific/technical activities. This should be countersigned by your Director/Registrar/Principal.
A certificate from your Head of Institution confirming that you have not received a grant under AICTE's travel grant scheme in the last two years.
Details and proof of any financial assistance or facilities received from other organizations for the conference.
Information on any assistance or facilities provided by the conference organizers or similar Indian/foreign agencies.
A certified copy of the AICTE Extension of Approval for the current year for your institution.
E-payment details in the prescribed format.
Photographs taken during the conference.

Official Sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official AICTE website or contact the relevant department.

FAQ’s

What is the main aim of the AICTE-Professional Development Scheme?

The primary goal of this scheme is to help talented faculty members and AICTE officers participate in international conferences, both within India and abroad. This allows them to share their research, connect with global experts, and stay updated with the latest developments in their fields.

Can I apply for this scheme if my institution is not approved by AICTE?

No, you can only apply if you are a full-time regular faculty member from an AICTE-approved institute or an AICTE-approved university department that has been operating for at least 5 years.

How much financial help can I get from this scheme?

The maximum financial assistance you can receive is up to ₹ 1,50,000/-. The exact amount will be based on the country group of the conference and the actual expenses incurred, whichever is less.

What kind of expenses are covered under this scheme?

The scheme covers the conference registration fee, a daily allowance for the duration of the conference and travel, and round-trip airfare from your international airport to the destination and back.

How long do I have to wait before applying for this scheme again if I have used it before?

You cannot avail of a grant under this scheme if you have already received one in the last three years.

What is the deadline for submitting my application for the conference?

You must submit your application proposal for the scheme at least three months before the date of the conference.

What should I do if I attended an online conference?

If the conference or workshop was held online, AICTE will only reimburse the registration fee you paid.

Who is responsible for managing this development scheme?

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is responsible for managing and overseeing this Professional Development Scheme.

What if my travel plans change and I can't use Air India?

You must travel by Air India unless you have an official certificate from them stating that there are no flights available on your chosen route. If you travel by another airline without this certificate, the approved airfare will not be released.