Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS)
Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS)
The Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS) has been established by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to foster innovative research initiatives among various educational institutions. This scheme promotes collaboration between faculty members from TEQIP, regular faculty from project institutions, and prestigious universities across India.
Overview of the Scheme
Initiated by AICTE, the CRS is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of research grants aimed at young faculty members recruited under the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP). The primary goal is to encourage collaborative research and cultivate a robust research community.
Project Duration
The duration of each project is set for one year, commencing from the date the funds are credited to the respective institution’s account.
Assessment Methodology
Proposals submitted under this scheme will undergo evaluation by a committee of experts, which will consist of:
- Three members, all of whom must hold a rank of Associate Professor or higher.
- A fourth member will be appointed to evaluate if any of the initial three members are unavailable.
- At least two committee members will be selected from the relevant discipline.
Terms and Conditions
The following terms and conditions apply to the implementation of the project:
- The Principal Investigator (PI) bears the primary responsibility for project execution.
- If the PI departs the institution without transferring the project or takes extended leave, the Co-Principal Investigator-1 (Co-PI-1) may continue with the project, subject to the PI’s consent and AICTE’s approval.
- In the event that the PI leaves and no other Co-Investigator is available, the project will be terminated, and the PI along with Co-PI-1 must submit a Utilization Certificate.
- Funds must be strictly utilized as indicated in the sanction letter; reallocating funds between different categories is not allowed.
- Recurring expenses can comprise 40%, while non-recurring expenses can account for 60% of the total grant, unless stated otherwise by TEQIP experts.
- Once a project receives approval, AICTE will not entertain requests for additional funding.
- No separate overhead costs will be provided for project execution.
- Funds cannot be allocated for international travel to attend conferences or seminars, but domestic travel expenses for presenting papers may be covered from the recurring component.
Funding and Benefits
The maximum funding limit for each project under the CRS is capped at ₹25,00,000/-.
It is crucial to note the following:
- The funding will be divided into recurring (40%) and non-recurring (60%) sections.
- Institutes are required to open a designated bank account in a nationalized bank for managing CRS grants.
- Additional funds will only be allocated under exceptional circumstances.
Fund Disbursement
Funding will be disbursed as follows:
- Initially, 25% of the total sanctioned non-recurring grant and 25% of the total sanctioned recurring grant will be released as the first installment.
- The remaining balance for both recurring and non-recurring grants will be disbursed only after submission of the Utilization Certificate and all necessary documents, along with a review by the expert committee.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this scheme, the proposal must be submitted by a collaborative group of faculty members, meeting the following requirements:
- The group must contain at least three faculty members, with one designated as the Principal Investigator (PI) from a TEQIP institution.
- Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) can be from either TEQIP or non-TEQIP institutions, with a maximum of four and a minimum of two Co-PIs allowed.
- One Co-PI should preferably be a regular faculty member from the same department as the PI at the host TEQIP institution.
- Each PI is allowed to submit a maximum of two proposals, and only one proposal will be sanctioned at any time during the project’s duration.
Note: The primary focus for institutional collaboration should be with TEQIP mentor institutes, or NIT/IIT/Central Universities within the same state or region. Additional Co-PIs from any TEQIP or non-TEQIP institution, including international institutions or industries, may also be included.
Exclusions
Specific exclusions apply, which will be outlined in the detailed guidelines provided by AICTE.
Application Process
The application process for the Collaborative Research Scheme is conducted online and includes the following steps:
Registration of a New Institute
- Visit AICTE Portal and click on the ‘New Institute’ button.
- You will be redirected to a different website. Hover over ‘Login’ and select ‘Investor Login’.
- New users should click on ‘Sign Up Now’ to begin the registration process.
- Fill in the required details and click ‘Verify’ to receive an OTP via Email and Mobile.
- After successful verification, click on ‘Sign Up Now’ to complete the registration.
Post-Registration Process
- Log in to the AICTE Portal using the credentials provided.
- Access the CRS Application Screen by clicking on the ‘CRS Application’ tab.
- Institute details will auto-populate in the application form.
- Complete the demographic and bank details, check the declaration box, and click on “Save Bank Details.”
- Only after confirming the bank details will the ‘New’ button become active to add the CRS Application. Click on ‘New’ to initiate the application.
Eligibility Criteria
The proposal should be submitted by a group of faculties, one is Principal Investigator (PI) from different TEQIP institutions and other are Co- Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) from TEQIP or Non TEQIP Institution.
The group shall consist of atleast 3 faculty.
One TEQIP-faculty should be from Host Institute who will be a Principal Investigator (PI). Along with Principal Investigator, there will be maximum four or minimum two Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) from TEQIP or Non TEQIP Institution.
One preferably a regular faculty of Host TEQIP institute to which the PI belongs shall be Co-PI-1. Such Co-PI-1 may or may not be working in same research area (though it is preferred) but should belong to the same Department to that of PI.
Maximum Two proposal can be submitted by one PI(Principal Investigator)
One proposal from one PI (Principal Investigator) only will be sanctioned at any point of time within the duration of project.
Note:
For institute collaboration, first priority should be given to collaborate with TEQIP mentor institute or NIT/ IIT /Central University of the same state or region and that is nearer to host institute and the faculty concerned shall be Co-PIs.
The group may have as additional Co-PIs as necessary from any institution (TEQIP or Non-TEQIP institute from India or Abroad) and also from an industrials sectors.
Benefits
Limit of Funding:
Maximum funding of ₹ 25,00,000/-.
Note:
Recurring 40% and Non-Recurring 60% of the total grant sectioned.
Institute have to open separate bank account in nationalised bank for the grant in Collaborative Research Scheme.
Extra funds provided only in special cases.
Disbursement of the funds:
25% amount of total sanctioned Non-recurring Grant and 25% amount of the total sanctioned Recurring Grant in a first installment.
Remaining of total sanctioned Recurring and Non-Recurring grant only after the submission of Utilization Certificate, all requisite documents and review of the project by expert committee.
Application Process
Apply OnlineRegistration of New Institute:
Step 01: Visit http://portal.aicte-india.org/partnerportal_enu/start.swe
and click on 'New Institute' button.
Step 02: Users will be redirected to another website. Hover the cursor on Login and select ‘Investor Login’.
Step 03: New users need to click on ‘Sign Up Now’ to register.
Step 04: Enter the details and click on ‘Verify’ to receive OTP on your Email Id and Mobile Number.
Step 05: After successful verification Click on ‘Sign Up Now’ to register.
Post-Registration Process:
Step 01: Visit http://portal.aicte-india.org/partnerportal_enu/start.swe
and log in with the credentials provided by AICTE.
Step 02: Navigate to CRS Application Screen by clicking on ‘CRS Application’ screen tab..
Step 03: Institute details will auto populate in the CRS Application.
Step 04: Fill demographic and Bank details. Check the Declaration flag and then click on “Save Bank Details” button.
Step 05: Only after confirming the Bank Details, the 'New' button will be enabled for adding the CRS Application. Click on 'New' button to create CRS Application.
Step 06: A unique AQIS Application ID will get created. Select the "Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS)" as Scheme from the drop down List.
Step 07: Click on the selection menu icon in TEQIP Faculty Id field to add details of TEQIP Faculty Id. A pop up window will open with Faculty details present in Institute for current. Select the Faculty from the list.
Step 08: Navigate to CRS Application. Further Navigate to CRS Faculty Details.
Step 09: Create the database of all the CO-PIs (Co-PI 1,2,3,4) by clicking on “NEW” icon. Then Enter the faculty details:.
Step 10: Further Navigate to CRS Institute Attachments. Upload the institutes mandate form for the same bank details which are entered initially.
Step 10: Navigate to CRS Application details. Click on the system generated CRS application ID an enter the details.
Step 11: After clicking on CRS application ID, user will be navigated to new page. Enter the details. Once all the details are filled click on ‘Save’ button.
Step 12: Scroll Down you will see the Proforma’s of the Documents which needs to be downloaded for the attachments.
Step 13: Navigate to PI Details tab for CRS Scheme. Enter the details. Click on ‘Save’ button.
Step 14:Navigate to CRS CO-PI 1 PI Details tab for CRS Scheme. Enter the details. Click on ‘Save’ button.
Step 15: Navigate to CRS CO-PI 2,3,4 PI Details tab for CRS Scheme. Enter the details. Click on ‘Save’ button.
Step 16: Navigate to Academic Credentials of Coordinator/ PI/ Applicant tab for CRS Scheme.
Step 17: All the parameters are required for the ‘Academic Credentials of Coordinator/ PI/Applicant’ tab and if any of the parameter is missing then following error message is displayed on click of ‘Validate Application’ button.
Step 18: Navigate to CRS Project Justification tab for CRS Scheme.
Step 19: All the parameters are required for the ‘Justification’ tab and if any of the parameter is missing then following error message is displayed on click of ‘Validate Application’ button.
Step 20: Navigate to ‘Credential of Institute / Department’ tab for CRS Scheme.
Step 21: All the parameters are required for the ‘Credential of Institute / Department’ tab and if any of the parameter is missing then following error message is displayed on click of ‘Validate Application’ button.
Step 22: Navigate to CRS Budget Non-Recurring tab for CRS Scheme. Click on “New” button to add Budget Non-Recurring Details.
Step 23: Navigate to Equipments in lab tab for CRS Scheme. Click on “New” button to add Equipments Details.
Step 24: Navigate to CRS Budget Recurring tab for CRS Scheme. Click on “New” button to add Budget Recurring Details.
Step 25: Download the Proforma and attach the filled scanned copy in the CRS Attachment tab, attachment should be in Pdf or image.
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | Collaborative Research Scheme (CRS) |
| Short Title | CRS |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Infra |
| Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Categories | Education & Learning |
| States | All India |
| Gender | All |
| Area | Both |
| Source | www.myscheme.gov.in ↗ |
Deepika Raikwar · 📅 26 Jun 2026
Deepika Raikwar is an Education Analyst and scholarship researcher who focuses on public welfare and merit-based scholarships. She simplifies complex eligibility rules, deadlines, and application processes to help common people access reliable funding opportunities worldwide.
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