AICTE launches AURA 2024 scheme to promote utilisation of I-STEM

NEW DELHI: The All India Council for Technical Education has launched the AICTE AURA (Augmenting Utilisation of Research Assets 2024 Scheme) in order to promote the use of I-STEM (India Science Technology Engineering Facilities Map) by providing financial assistance to teachers and students in AICTE-approved colleges for using I-STEM facilities and boosting research.

AICTE Chairman TG Sitharam launched the scheme at the AICTE headquarters in New Delhi. During the event, he stated that investing in research and development opens up opportunities for collaboration with academic institutions and research organisations.

Sitharam said, "The aim of AURA scheme is to augment existing research by utilization of public funded hardware and software R and D facilities mapped by I-STEM, and thereby developing a culture of research in technical education Institutions."

AICTE AURA Scheme: Financial support

An amount of up to Rs 2 lakhs would be reimbursed to the researcher to take up a research after submitting the payment receipt for utilization of equipment and facilities registered on I-STEM portal. The maximum funding limit for each researcher is Rs 2 lakh.

AICTE AURA Scheme: Reimbursement of funds

Bills should be submitted on a half yearly basis for reimbursement during the financial year from April to September (before October 31) and October to March (before April 30). The reimbursement will be made maximum twice in a year. The payment will be made online through RTGS or NEFT directly to the researcher’s bank account.

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AICTE AURA Scheme: Eligibility

Candidates can have a look at the eligibility criteria for AICTE AURA scheme below.

• Full-time or regular faculty of AICTE approved institutions and students of
• PG Scholarship scheme, ADF scheme, QIP Scheme of AICTE can enroll for AICTE AURA.
• All PG students of AICTE approved Institutions who have not got PG
• scholarship scheme from AICTE, can also get the benefit of AICTE AURA
• scheme.
• This scheme can be availed maximum two times in a lifetime.
• There will be no age limit to avail the benefits of the scheme.