AICTE-Quality Improvement (Foreign University) Programme

AICTE-Quality Improvement (Foreign University) Programme is a Central Government scheme run by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the Ministry of Education. The scheme supports full-time regular or permanent faculty members of AICTE-recognized colleges with a monthly scholarship of ₹ 25,000 to pursue a PhD at one of the top 500 world-ranked universities. Faculty members can still get this support in the 2026-27 academic year by joining the doctoral programs being admitted under the Quality Improvement Programme.

AICTE announced full-time PhD admissions for the 2026-27 session under the Quality Improvement Programme and also launched the dedicated QIP online portal for applications. QIP-FU is the foreign university wing of this same programme, approved in the 55th Council Meeting held on 14 August 2018. The scheme helps Indian faculty earn doctoral degrees from globally ranked institutions and come back with modern research skills that improve technical education in India.

AICTE-Quality Improvement (Foreign University) Programme - Introduction

QIP-FU is an extension of the Quality Improvement Programme that the Government of India launched in 1970. Through this wing, AICTE provides a scholarship of ₹ 25,000 per month to eligible faculty members admitted to PhD programs in any of the top 500 universities or institutes based on QS, Times and Shanghai rankings. The scholarship is given only for the first year of the doctoral program, and the faculty member continues to get the normal salary and allowances from the parent institute for the full period.

The scheme was created to close the gap between Indian faculty and teachers in developed countries. By supporting a PhD from a foreign university, the programme exposes faculty members to international research standards, modern laboratory facilities and global scholarly networks.

The total intake under QIP-FU is 1,000 seats in a financial year, and Government of India reservation rules apply to these seats. The parent institute in India relieves the faculty member for the PhD for three years, extendable by six months and by another six months in special cases, after taking an undertaking to serve the parent institute for a minimum of five years after completing the PhD. AICTE also enters MOUs with foreign universities and links the scheme with other ongoing Government of India programmes.

AICTE has kept the QIP admission cycle open for the 2026-27 session through the official QIP portal at qip.aicte.gov.in. Faculty members who secure admission in a listed foreign university can apply for the scholarship as per the scheme rules.

Key Information

Benefits

Eligible faculty members get a monthly scholarship of ₹ 25,000 for the first year of their doctoral program at a top 500 foreign university. This money helps meet study and living expenses during the initial phase of the PhD.

Beyond the scholarship amount, the faculty member keeps receiving the normal salary and allowances from the parent institute in India for the whole PhD period. The foreign host university or other international agencies can also provide fellowships, scholarships or grants as per their rules, and the faculty member may take up work inside the campus with university permission.

Eligibility

These are the main conditions to apply for this scheme:

• Full-time faculty member: Only full-time regular or permanent faculty members of AICTE-recognized Degree Level Colleges can apply for the scheme.
• Teaching experience: The candidate must have at least three years of teaching experience at the graduate level.
• Master's degree: The candidate must hold a Master's degree in an appropriate branch, and the chosen subject for the PhD must be an AICTE-approved subject.
• Admission offer: A confirmed admission offer for a PhD program from any of the top 500 foreign universities based on QS, Times or Shanghai rankings, obtained within the previous five years, is required.
• Age limit: Age must be below 40 years for general category candidates and below 45 years for reserved category candidates.

Application Process

Faculty members can now use the dedicated QIP portal for the 2026-27 admission cycle. The process has both online and offline parts.

STEP 1 - Go to the official QIP portal at qip.aicte.gov.in, create an account or login, and register as a new applicant for the PhD program. Keep the AICTE faculty ID and Aadhaar details ready for registration.

STEP 2 - Secure a confirmed admission offer from one of the top 500 foreign universities based on QS, Times or Shanghai rankings. Manage the visa, airfare, boarding and lodging arrangements on your own because AICTE does not pay for these items. Look for additional fellowships or grants offered by the host university.

STEP 3 - Prepare the complete application package with the admission documents, passport and visa copies, the Mandate Form signed by the head of the parent institute, the undertaking to serve the parent institute for five years after the PhD, and the travel schedule. Submit the documents through the portal and to the AICTE office at Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070, phone 011-2958 1050.

Documents

Along with the online registration, these documents must be submitted with the application:

• Fully completed application form including a recent photograph.
• Formal documentation from the foreign university confirming admission, with the start and end dates of the PhD program.
• Copy of the passport and valid visa showing the travel dates.
• Attested copy of the Mandate Form signed by the head of the college or institute.
• Copy of the formal undertaking given to the parent institute in India.
• Confirmed travel schedule for joining the foreign university.
• Official authentication and recommendations from the parent institute confirming eligibility and approval for leave.

References

Guidelines Document | Frequently Asked Questions | Procedure for Scholarship | QIP Application Form | QIP PhD Admission Notice 2026-27

FAQ's

When was AICTE-Quality Improvement (Foreign University) Programme approved?

The program was officially approved during the 55th Meeting of the Council held on 14 August 2018.

What is the short form of the programme?

The program is commonly referred to as QIP-FU or QIP (FU).

Are there specific subjects I must choose for my PhD?

Yes, the subject for the Doctoral degree must align with the list of core subjects approved by AICTE in or after 2017.

Is there an age limit to apply?

Yes, the candidate must be below 40 years for the general category and below 45 years for the reserved category.

Can the eligibility criteria be relaxed for candidates?

No, all eligibility criteria must be satisfied as per the official scheme document by the cut-off date provided by the foreign institution.

Can I apply if I already possess a PhD degree?

No, the scheme is strictly for faculty members who do not yet hold a PhD.

Can I apply if I am already receiving a scholarship for a PhD in India?

No, faculty members already receiving financial support under any other AICTE or Government of India scholarship scheme for their PhD are not eligible for QIP-FU.

What kind of financial assistance does AICTE provide?

After verifying admission and receiving all required mandates from the parent institution, AICTE provides a monthly scholarship of ₹ 25,000 for the first year of the doctoral program.

Why is the scholarship limited to the first 12 months?

The funding is meant for the initial phase. The remaining cost is expected to be covered through fellowships, assistantships or grants from the foreign host university or other international funding agencies.

Who is eligible to apply for this scholarship?

Only full-time regular or permanent faculty members working at AICTE-recognized Degree Level Colleges are eligible.