AICTE-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME > Eligibility, Application Steps & Required Documents

The AICTE-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME is a scholarship scheme that provides financial support to full-time regular faculty of AICTE-approved institutions and eligible AICTE officers so they can present research papers at national and international conferences. Aimed at elevating research exposure and international collaboration, the scheme reimburses registration fees, travel and per diem within pre-defined limits depending on the destination group. The scheme is administered on a reimbursement basis and requires prior acceptance of the paper by the conference organizer and timely submission of claims after completion of travel. This article will provide us information about who can apply, how the funding is grouped, step-by-step application instructions, the documentation you must prepare for reimbursement, and a quick checklist of important timelines to help you apply confidently and in line with AICTE norms.

Who can apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

1. Full-time regular faculty from AICTE-approved institutes or AICTE-approved university departments (host unit should be in existence for at least 5 years).
2. AICTE officers at the level of Assistant Director and above (both regular and on deputation).
3. Applicant must not have availed this grant under the scheme during the last three years and must have a formal acceptance of the paper from the conference organizer.

Funding bands — How much can you get?

Reimbursement normally covers registration fee, per-diem (for conference days + actual journey period as per central government rules) and air travel (shortest route, economy class). For online conferences, AICTE typically reimburses only the registration fee.

What AICTE reimburses

Note: If you took a domestic (Group D) grant previously, you can still apply for international support within three years; reimbursement will deduct the earlier amount used for the domestic trip. (myScheme)

How to apply online

1. Visit the AICTE Partner Portal (portal.aicte-india.org/partnerportal_enu/start.swe) and click New Institute to begin institute registration.
2. Under Login → Investor Login, choose Sign Up Now to register a new user and verify via OTP on email and mobile.
3. After successful sign-up, log in and go to AQIS Application tab; institute details auto-populate. Fill demographic and bank details and confirm them.
4. Click New to create an AQIS Application. Select AICTE-PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (or Travel Grant Scheme) from the dropdown.
5. Fill program details, coordinator credentials, justification, budget estimate (enter amount under “Total Funds Requested”), and attach the Mandate Form as prompted. Validate the form, accept the declaration and Submit.

Selection & disbursement

1. Only one proposal per applicant at any time is accepted. If an application for a specific event (date + venue) is rejected, it will not be reconsidered for the same event.
2. The grant is released as reimbursement after submission of a detailed claim form and supporting documents within two months of trip completion. Funds are credited to the institute’s account through the authorized officer.

Documents required for reimbursement (short checklist)

1. Original, attested passport copy showing visa/immigration stamps.
2. Original Air India e-ticket/printed ticket and boarding pass (legible). If other airline used, provide Air India certificate of non-availability.
3. Acceptance letter from conference organiser and copy of the paper presented.
4. Original registration fee receipt.
5. Statement of actual expenditure (voucher proof), foreign exchange vouchers if applicable.
6. Travel participation/certificate from host institute, progress report mentioning outcomes (counter-signed by head of institute).
7. Certificate from Head of Institution stating the applicant has not availed the grant in the last two years and AICTE extension of approval copy for current year.
8. E-payment details in the prescribed proforma and photographs of participation.

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