Background
As India advances toward the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” the role of
deep, structured collaboration between industry and academia becomes more
critical than ever. Accelerated partnerships between technology institutions, research
organizations, and industry are essential to transform India into a global hub for
innovation, advanced manufacturing, and knowledge-driven growth.
Such collaboration enables the translation of research into real-world applications,
strengthens India’s innovation ecosystem, and ensures that education and research
remain aligned with evolving industry and societal needs. It fosters:
- Development of market-ready skills among youth
- Strengthening of applied and translational research capabilities
- Creation of sustainable, high-value employment opportunities within the country
- Faster commercialization of research and technology solutions
- Enhanced global competitiveness of Indian industry
The industry–Academia partnership model is therefore a cornerstone for building a
resilient, innovation-led economy and for positioning India as a leader in emerging
technologies.
About the Award
The CII Industry–Academia Partnership Awards 2026 aim to recognize and
celebrate exemplary leaderships and institutions from industry, academia, and
research who are building high-impact, sustainable partnerships in research,
development, and innovation.
The awards seek to:
- Highlight successful collaboration models that demonstrate measurable outcomes in
R&D, innovation, and technology deployment.
- Encourage market-relevant research that addresses real industry challenges and
national priorities.
- Promote industry-aligned skill development and experiential learning opportunities
for students and researchers.
- Foster a strong culture of innovation and problem-solving
- Showcase how industry leverages academic and research partnerships as a strategic advantage
for competitiveness and growth
- Inspire wider replication of effective partnership frameworks across sectors.
Through these awards, CII aims to strengthen the bridge between knowledge creation and industrial
application, accelerating India's journey toward an innovation-driven economy.
Scope
The Awards recognize high-impact, outcome-driven partnerships between Industry and
Academia/Research Institutions that advance innovation, research excellence, and workforce
development. The scope covers collaborations that demonstrate measurable value creation for
industry, academia, and the broader economy through sustained engagement and knowledge exchange.
Eligible initiatives include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
-
Research, Innovation & Technology Development
- Industry-sponsored research projects leading to commercially viable technologies, patents,
prototypes, or process innovations.
- Joint research laboratories established to drive long-term collaborative R&D.
- Industry-supported Centers of Excellence focused on advanced, emerging, or strategic
technology domains.
-
Knowledge Exchange & Problem Solving
- Faculty-led consulting initiatives addressing real-world industry challenges.
- Chair Professorships sponsored by industry to strengthen domain expertise, research
leadership, and academic excellence.
-
Skill Development & Human Capital Enhancement
- Technology training programs delivered by academic institutions for workforce upskilling and
reskilling.
- Continuing education and executive learning programs supported by industry.
- Management Development Programs (MDPs) designed to strengthen leadership, innovation
management, and organizational capability.
-
Talent Development & Academic Support
- Industry-supported student scholarships (non-Ph.D.) that enable access to quality education.
- Industry-supported Ph.D. fellowships, including initiatives such as the Prime Minister's
Fellowship Scheme.
- Structured industry engagement in mentoring, internships, and research guidance.
-
Social Impact through Education & Research
- Industry-driven CSR initiatives that strengthen educational infrastructure, research
capability, or access to learning opportunities.
Through recognition of such diverse and impactful collaborations, the Awards aim to encourage deeper,
long-term industry–academia engagement and inspire scalable partnership models that strengthen
India's innovation ecosystem and global competitiveness.
Why to Apply
The CII Industry–Academia Partnership Awards 2026 celebrate organizations
that are shaping the future of India through collaboration, innovation, and
knowledge creation. By applying, you become part of a national movement
working toward a stronger, self-reliant, and innovation-driven India.
Participation offers you the opportunity to:
- Build a Legacy of Innovation: Be recognized as an organization that invests in
ideas, research, and talent to address real-world challenges and create long-term impact.
- Lead India's Knowledge Economy: Demonstrate how your partnerships are aligning
education, research, and industry to fuel national progress and technological advancement.
- Gain Prestigious National Recognition: Earn visibility on a respected platform that
brings together leaders from academia, industry, research, and policy.
- Inspire Through Your Success Story: Showcase collaboration models that encourage
others to pursue meaningful industry–academia engagement for collective growth.
- Empower Talent and Future Leaders: Highlight your role in nurturing students,
researchers, and professionals through skill development, mentorship, and research opportunities.
- Catalyze New Collaborations: Open doors to partnerships with like-minded
institutions and industry leaders committed to innovation and societal advancement.
- Contribute to Viksit Bharat 2047: Be acknowledged for strengthening India's
innovation capacity, global competitiveness, and knowledge ecosystem.
- Foster a Culture of Excellence: Motivate teams and partners by being part of a
platform that celebrates purpose-driven progress, collaboration, and impact.
Important Dates
| Important Dates |
| Application Form opens |
February 2025 |
| Last date of application submission |
31 July 2025 |
| Period for Assessors' Interaction |
July 2025 |
| Grand Jury Meeting |
August 2025 |
| Announcement of Awards |
Nov-Dec 2025 |
* The awards ceremony date is subject to change and will be informed one month prior
to the ceremony
Application Fee
| Category |
Application Fee |
| Large Industries |
INR 1,00,000 + 18% GST |
| MSME / Academia / Research Institute / CoE |
INR 45,000 + 18% GST |
* Application fee includes the cost of online facilitation and management by CII,
delegate fees for the Award Ceremony, citations, trophy, etc.
Mode of Payment & bank details
| Particulars |
Details |
| Name |
Confederation of Indian Industry |
| Address |
23, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003 |
| PAN No. |
AAATC0188R |
| TAN No. |
DELC07910A |
| Service Tax No. |
AAATC0188RST004 |
| VAT No. |
07850377383 |
| Account Number |
52205053775 |
| Bank Name |
Standard Chartered Bank |
| Bank Address |
23 Barakhamba Road, Narain Manzil, New Delhi - 110001 |
| IFSC Code |
SCBL0036020 |
| MICR Code |
110036002 |
| Account Number |
52205053775 |
| Bank Name |
Standard Chartered Bank |
| Bank Address |
23 Barakhamba Road, Narain Manzil, New Delhi - 110001 |
| SWIFT Code |
SCBLINBB DEL |
| IBAN (GBP) |
GB42SCBL6094015197017 |
| IBAN (EUR) |
DE8150130500001850203 |
| ABA Number (USD) |
026002561 |
| Sort Code (SCB London) |
609104 |
Terms and Conditions
I.The CII Industry-Academia Partnership
Awards reserve the right to refuse or reject any entry that fails to meet the eligibility
criteria at any stage of the awards process.
II.The fee is non-refundable,
non-adjustable, non-transferable, and applicable as a one-time payment. Upon payment, the
receipt must be submitted along with the duly filled application form. No separate evaluation
fee will be charged for different stages of the assessment.
III.Application fees at any level are
strictly non-refundable under any circumstances.
IV.All decisions are at the sole
discretion of the CII Industry-Academia Partnership Awards. No correspondence or appeals
regarding the decisions will be entertained.
V.Applicants may withdraw their
application at any point during the award process; however, participation fees will not be
refunded.
VI.All personal or sensitive information
provided will be treated as confidential.
VII.Claims made by applicants such as
"unique," "world first," "one of a kind," or "owned by" must be substantiated. The CII
Industry-Academia Partnership Awards reserve the right to request additional evidence.
VIII.Titles conferred by the CII
Industry-Academia Partnership Awards may be revoked if the information supplied is later found
to be incorrect.
IX.The decision of the Jury is final and
binding, and no correspondence will be entertained.
X.Inputs submitted in the initial or main
application forms may be used for the CII Industry-Academia Compendium and other promotional
materials.
XI.All submission materials and
accompanying documentation must be written in English.
XII.By applying, the applicant agrees to
abide by all the terms and conditions mentioned above.
Post Awards Activities
CII Industry–Academia Partnership Compendium
A curated knowledge publication featuring award-winning and high-impact partnership models, best
practices, and success stories. The Compendium serves as a reference for industry, academia, and
policymakers, enabling wider replication of effective collaboration frameworks and strengthening
India's innovation ecosystem.
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