AICTE - Scheme For Promoting Interests, Creativity And Ethics Among Students
AICTE's SPICES scheme gives a one-time grant of ₹1 lakh to AICTE-approved colleges to develop and strengthen their best student club, turning it into a model for promoting creativity, personal interests, and professional ethics. The scheme is open once per institution and applications are invited annually in July/August through aicte-india.org.
About This Scheme
AICTE's SPICES scheme gives a one-time grant of ₹1 lakh to AICTE-approved colleges to develop and strengthen their best student club, turning it into a model for promoting creativity, personal interests, and professional ethics. The scheme is open once per institution and applications are invited annually in July/August through aicte-india.org.
Full official description
The scheme "AICTE - Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students (SPICES)" is a scheme for the institutions by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Department of Higher Education (DoHE). This scheme provides financial support to institutions for developing students' clubs for the well-rounded development of students by promoting their interests, creativity, and ethics. This club should serve as a model for other clubs in the institution and also those in other institutions.
Objective To energize and position students club/ Chapters/ Societies as facilitating entities for the pursuit of individual interests, creative work, showcasing talent, networking and teamwork opportunities, social experience; organization and management skills, exposure to professional ethics, etc.
Benefits
- One-time grant of ₹1,00,000 disbursed upfront as an advance
- Funds can be used for club activities and events, including travel to outstation competitions (travel costs capped at 40% of the total grant)
- Duration of the grant: one academic year
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- AICTE-approved institution with at least 5 years of existence
- Only one proposal per institution; the nominated club must have at least 50 student members
- Institution must commit a minimum contribution of ₹1,00,000 to the club (higher contributions get preference)
- Club coordinator must be a full-time regular faculty with at least 10 years of teaching or industry experience
- Co-coordinator must be a faculty with at least 5 years of teaching or industry experience
- An institution can only receive this grant once
Exclusions
Ex-students and ex-faculty members and other officials of the institute shall not be members of the club.
How to Apply
(a) Applications are invited every year at the beginning of the academic session (July/ August).
(b) Institute must apply through its login ID at aicte-india.org
AICTE Portal Login
Step 1: Visit the AICTE website https://www.aicte-india.org
Step 2: Click on the “Web Portal Login” button.
Step 3: Login to the AICTE portal with the credentials provided by the AICTE.
Step 4: After successful logging, the home page of the institute appears.
AQIS Application
Step 1: After login, navigate to the AQIS application screen please click on the “AICTE quality Improvement Schemes (Financial Funding Schemes)” icon.
Step 2: The AQIS application page of the institute is open.
Step 3: Click on the “AQIS Application- Institute details”
Step 4: Institute and Bank Details will auto-populate in “AQIS Application – Institute Details” Please check and update according to changes.
Note:
- Bank Account should be Saving Account.
- Account holder's name should not be a personal name.
Step 5: Check the declaration flag, then click on the “Save Bank Details” button.
Step 6: To confirm the bank details entered, kindly click on the “Confirm Bank Details” button.
Step 7: If the bank details are incorrect, click on the Cancel button to edit the bank details again otherwise click on OK to confirm the details.
Note: Once the ‘OK’ button is clicked. The Institute details and Bank details will become read-only mode.
Step 8: Click on the “All AQIS Application Information”
Step 9: Click on the “Download Mandate Form” and “Download Declaration Certificate”.
Step 10: Click on the “AQIS Document Attachment”
Step 11: Click on the new record ( ) button.
Step 12: After attaching the Mandate form, click on the save ( ) button.
Note: Please attach the Verified Bank Mandate Form in scanned PDF format (Maximum Size10 MB).
Application for ‘SPICES’
Initiating New application
Step 1: After uploading the attachment of the mandate form, Click on “All AQIS Application Information”
Step 2: Click on the new record ( )button.
Step 3: Select the “SPICES- Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students” in AQIS Schemes dropdown.
Step 4: After selecting the scheme, click on the ( ) Save button.
Step 5: Click on AQIS Application ID
Step 6: AQIS Detail Application for SPICES.
Section A: Coordinator/PI/Applicant Details
Step 1: Click on the Coordinator/PI/Applicant Details
Step 2: Click on the selection menu icon( ) in the Faculty ID field to add details of the scheme coordinator. Select the faculty ID from the Faculty ID list and click on the OK button.
Step 3: Fill in all the fields of the Details of the Coordinator section.
Step 4: Click on the selection menu icon( ) in the Co-coordinator Faculty ID field to add details of the scheme Co-coordinator. Select the faculty ID from the Faculty ID list and click on the OK button.
Step 5: Fill in all the fields of Details of the Co-coordinator section.
Step 6: Fill in all the fields of the “Details of the Club” section.
Step 7: Confirm the declaration
Section B: Academic Credentials of Coordinator /PI/Applicant
Step 1: Click on the Academic Credentials of Coordinator/ PI/Applicant
Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.
Step 3: Select “YES/NO” according to the parameter, fill in the Count/Number, and fill in the Area of Specialisation. Click on the save ( ) button.
Note: Further repeat the above Steps 2 and 3 for the following Parameters/Criteria
- Whether the Coordinator has Ph.D.
- Whether Coordinator has PG
- Teaching/Industry Experience in years
- Relevant experience in conducting/coordinating students activities/programs in the last three years
- Any achievement received at the state level
- Any achievement received at the national level
- Any achievement received at the international level
Step 4: After filling in all the required details in the fields, click on the Save ( ) button.
Section C: Credentials of Institution / Department
Step 1: Click on the Credentials of Institution / Department
Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.
Step 3: Select “YES/NO” according to the parameter, fill in the Count/Number, and fill in the Details. Click on the save ( ) button.
Note: Further repeat the above Steps 2 and 3 for the following Parameters/Criteria
- No. of Awards and recognitions received in Department /institute in the last 3 years
- No. of functional students clubs/students societies/students chapters
- Number of courses Accredited in the institute
- Skill/Social Development initiatives taken by institute/department in last 3 years
- Student, Faculty Ratio
Step 4: After filling in all the required details in the fields, click on the Save ( ) button.
Section D: Justification of proposal Step 1: Click on the Justification of proposal Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria. Step 3: Select the parameter/criteria and fill in the Details. Click on the save ( ) button. Note: Further repeat the above Steps 2 and 3 for the following Parameters/Criteria
- Action Plan of the Club for one year
- Collaboration/ Interfacing of Club with industry/ Association/ Professional Body
- Details of regional/state-level events organized by the Club in the last 3 years
- Expected outcomes and benefits to students/institute
- Details of international-level events organized by the Club in the last 3 years
- Details of national-level events organized by the Club in the last 3 years
- Fund Raising Strategies
- No. of Awards/ Prize won by Club at the International level and their details
- No. of Awards/Prize won by Club at the National level and their details
- Vision of the Club Step 4: After filling in all the required details in the fields, click on the Save ( ) button.
Section E: Credentials of the Club
Step 1: Click on the Credentials of the Club
Step 2: Click on the new record ( ) button to add the Record and select the parameter Criteria.
Step 3: Select “YES/NO” according to the parameter, fill in the Count/Number, and fill the Details. Click on the save ( ) button.
Note: Further repeat the above Steps 2 and 3 for the following Parameters/Criteria
- Commitment of contribution by the institute to the club
- No. of Awards/ Prize won by Club at the state level
- Whether club have a bank account?
- Whether the club is having its Bye-laws
- No. of Students associated with the Club
- No. of years of establishment of the club
Step 4: After filling in all the required details in the fields, click on the Save ( ) button.
Validate and Submit the Application Step 1: Click on the Coordinator/PI/Applicant Details Step 2: Click on the Validate application button. Step 3: After clicking on the Validation button the message will be populated and stated as “Validation for Scheme: SPICES Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students ' is completed Successfully” Click on the OK button. Step 4: Click on the Submit button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 What Is AICTE Expecting From The Institution?
A. AICTE expects institutions to fund its other clubs in a similar fashion and intensify their activities. Vibrant clubs will attract the attention of other institutions and inspire the latter to emulate. Thus there will be an intensification of club activities across the country.
Q.2 What Are The Strong Points Which Enhance The Possibility Of Support From AICTE?
A. Past achievements of the club, its interface with industry/professional body, achievements of the Faculty Coordinator, and Credentials of the institute.
Q.3 Are Student Chapters/Societies Also Eligible To Apply?
A. Yes.
Q.4 How Many Proposals Can Be Submitted By The Institute?
A. Institute can seek support for one club only, for which it must be willing to support financially also.
Q.5 Will My Institute Be Eligible To Apply Again If The Project Is Granted Once?
A. No. Institute will be eligible to receive the grant under the SPICES scheme only once. AICTE expects the institute to support other clubs in a similar fashion.
Q.6 Can Non-Technical/ Non-Engineering Clubs Apply Under This Scheme?
A. Yes, the club from any discipline/ theme/ stream in an AICTE-approved institution can be proposed under this Scheme, provided it fulfills other eligibility conditions.
Q.7 What Is The Total Duration To Complete The SPICES Project?
A. It's a one-year project which starts from the date of the Offer Letter/Sanction Letter.
Q.8 When Does The One-Year Project Duration Start?
A. For the 2020-2021 batch, the date of receipt of funds is reckoned as the date of start of the project which must be intimated to AICTE. However, for those sanctioned in 2021- 2022, the date of the Offer Letter is the date of the start of the project.
Q.9 If Both Coordinator & Co-Coordinator Are Transferred/ Changed, Then How To Update The Details Of Another Coordinator?
A. The institute must appoint another faculty as a coordinator whose qualifications and experience must be matching with the previous one and take approval from AICTE. One needs to go to "Request for Change of Coordinator/Co-coordinator" on the SPICES Review Portal, attach the requisite documents on the SPICES review portal, duly signed by the Head of Institution, and Coordinator, and submit.
Q.10 Do We Need To Submit Any Report To AICTE After The Completion Of The Project?
A. Yes, at the end of the project duration, the institute must submit a soft copy and hard copy of the project report and original bills for the closure of the project.
Q.11 Is There Any Requirement On The Minimum Number Of Activities To Be Conducted Under This Scheme? Can We Conduct One Single Event/Activity?
A. Club must conduct as many activities as possible, spread throughout the year. Club members may be encouraged to raise funds from other sponsors.
Q.12 Can We Conduct The Event/Activities In The Club Online Mode Or Hybrid Mode?
A. AICTE recommends club activities to be held offline to enhance student interaction between peers and experts invited.
Q.13 Can We Collaborate With Other Councils/Clubs In Our College To Conduct An Activity?
A. We encourage collaborative activities with not just clubs in your institutions but also with those focussed in your area, in nearby institutions (for example if your club is on Robotics, try collaborating with the Robotics club in a nearby institution). We expect these clubs with whom you shake hands also to reciprocate your gesture. This is equally important. By supporting and focussing on one club under the Scheme, our larger intention is to see other clubs also get energized, that's why your club has been selected to be transformed as a model club. Please document and share the success stories emerging out of such collaborations, with all the beneficiaries under SPICES.
Q.14 Can We Upload The Details Of The Events/Activity Which Were Conducted Before Receiving The Offer Letter From The Institute?
A. Any activity which was conducted before receiving the Offer Letter will not be acceptable.
Q.15 Can We Consider Taking Our Students For A One-Day Outdoor Experiential Learning Activity
A. Yes, but the expenditures on account of travel cannot exceed 40%. Additional expenditures, (if any) should be borne by the institute.
Q.16 We Have Been Sanctioned Project In 2021-2022. When Will The Fund Of Rs. 1 Lakh Will Be Released?
A. Your institute will be reimbursed Rs. 1 lakh once the project is completed, but not before one year. Subject to all other conditions being fulfilled.
Q.17 What Is The Proportion Of Contribution From The Institute And Support From AICTE Over 100% Of Expenses Incurred On The Student's Club Activities?
A. The total project cost is a minimum of Rs. 2 Lakh with Rs. 1 Lakh from AICTE and the rest coming from the institute (minimum Rs. 1 Lakh). If the expenditure within the project duration is less than Rs. 2 Lakh then a grant from AICTE will be reduced to 50% of actual expenses accrued for the club activities.
Q.18 Can I Get The Payment In Favor Of The Coordinator’s Account Name?
A. No. The grant can only be released in favor of the Director/ Principal/ Registrar of the institution. Applicant must provide duly-filled mandate form having the seal and signature of the bank authority.
Q.19 Can The Grant Be Utilized By The Institute On The Expenditures Pertaining To The Faculty Coordinator/ Co-Coordinator Or Any Other Faculty Member?
A. No. The grant can be utilized only for expenditures pertaining to student members of the club.
Q.20 Can We Buy Hardware/Software From AICTE's Contribution To The Club's Activities
A. No. The funds cannot be used for Hardware/Software. If required, the same must be bought from institute funds.
Q.21 Can We Allow Registration Fees To Be Collected From Students For The Event(S)/ Activities?
A. It is up to the institute to decide whether to collect the registration fee or not.
Q.22 Can We Use The Grant For Publishing Books?
A. The grant can be utilized for the publication/printing of promotional material for events/activities organized by the club.
Q.23 Visiting Industrial/Technical Hubs Can Be Taken As An Event And Submit The Bills For Consideration.
A. No. The industrial/technical hubs visit is part of academic/departmental activities, and the grant cannot be utilized for this purpose.
Q.24 Are We Allowed To Spend Institute-Committed Funds On Hospitality To Experts, And Participants From Outside Apart From Expenses On Remuneration To Experts, And Prizes To Participants?
A. The funds pooled (AICTE and college) can be used for events and activities organized by the student club to which the project is offered but not for any other club. Not more than 40% of the pooled amount can be used on travel. It can be used to meet the expenses related to experts/ resource persons invited to the events organized by the club.
Q.25 Our Club Is Selected For The Grant Of Rs. 1 Lakh, And In The Letter, It Is Mentioned That We Can Utilize Its 40% For The Event Registration And Organizing Event, How We Can Utilize 60% Part Of The Grant?
A. Club can utilize 60% amount in event organization expenses viz. publicity, prize money, club merchandise (such as T-Shirts, Cups, etc.)
Q.26 Can The Institute Use The Fund Amount For Two More Clubs?
A. Funds under the project granted to your institute (contributed by your institute and AICTE) have to be spent on the Club mentioned in the Offer Letter; and NOT on the other clubs. The funded club will serve as a model to other clubs in the institute, the experience gained and good practices of which can be applied to at least two more student clubs that are to be proposed to us.
Q.27 What Is The Process Of Refunding The Unspent AICTE Grant? (Valid For 2020-2021 Project Batch)
A. Any unspent amount with the institute must be immediately returned through NEFT/ crossed Demand Draft drawn in favor of "Member Secretary, AICTE" payable at New Delhi, within 30 days of approved project completion date.
Q.28 If We Purchased Some Products Related To The Events Activity Online, Will Online Bills Be Acceptable?
A. Yes, but the product should not be Hardware/Software & bills should bear a GST number.
Q.29 Is There Any Format Given For Bills Of The Events Conducted, For Uploading On The SPICES Review Portal?
A. No format is prescribed. Institute needs to upload the bills as received.
Q.30 Is It Mandatory To Submit The GST Bills?
A. Yes, it is mandatory to submit bills with GST numbers.
Q.31 Can We Promote Activities/Events Being Conducted Under The Club On Social Media?
A. Yes, we recommended promoting activities/events being conducted under the funded club on social media using the #aictespices and #aicte.
Q.32 Can We Use The AICTE Logo?
A. All publicity materials/ advertisements/ brochures/ invitation cards/ any other collaterals/ event backdrop etc. related to the event(s), must carry the AICTE logo and the name SPICES. Likewise, the venue/the stage backdrop/ podium must prominently display the AICTE logo and the name SPICES.
Q.33 Is It Mandatory To Upload The Acceptance Letter (Available On The SPICES Review Portal) Within 7 Days And Also Need To Send A Hard Copy Of The Acceptance Letter To The AICTE?
A. Yes, you need to upload the Acceptance Letter on the SPICES review portal within 7 days after releasing the Offer Letter to your Institute and also need to send a hard copy of the same.
Q.34 Do We Need To Click On The Review Submit Button Every Time After Uploading The Single Event Detail On The SPICES Review Portal?
A. No. You do not need to click on the Review Submit button every time after uploading the single event detail on the SPICES Review portal because once you click on the button, you will not be able to upload anything on your SPICES Review portal. You need to click on that button once you complete your SPICES project.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Documents to be uploaded on the AICTE portal after the completion of one year:
- Institute has to fill up and update information on the AICTE portal and upload the following documents:
- (a) Photographs showing various activities during club events.
- (b) Feedback from members of the club.
- (c) A video of 2-minute duration having:
- (i) Introduction by the Coordinator mentioning the name and state of the institute.
- (ii) Activities details and achievements attained through Students Club
- (iii) How the club was beneficial to students/carriers and institutes.
- (iv) Acknowledgement of AICTE support.
- (d) Performance Report (including Feedback).
- Documents to be submitted after completion of one year:
- (a) Utilization certificate and statement of accounts in prescribed proforma duly audited by the Finance
- Officer/ Account Officer as per prescribed format.
- (b) Supporting bills/ documents on account of expenses incurred for the purpose duly attested by the Head of the Institute.
- (c) The amount made available by the institution approved by the Council/ University/ State Government and other sources.
- (d) Soft copy of the final report submitted on the portal as mentioned above (in section 11).