INAE Innovative Student Projects Award 2026 – Nominations Open for Engineering Students and Research Scholars
Overview
About the Award
The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) instituted the Innovative Student Projects Award in 1998 to recognise innovative and creative engineering projects undertaken by Bachelor's and Master's students and theses of Doctoral research scholars.
The award aims to identify engineering merit, innovation and talent at an early stage and encourage students and research scholars working on potentially innovative projects and theses.
Eligibility
Nominations are accepted from students of institutions or universities registered under UGC, AICTE, Ministry of Education or another competent Government authority in India.
Eligible categories include:
- Final Year / 4th Year B.E., B.Tech or B.Sc. (Engineering) projects.
- BTech and MTech Dual Degree projects at Bachelor's completion level.
- M.E., M.Tech, M.Sc. (Engineering) and MS by Research theses.
- MTech and PhD Dual Degree theses at Master's completion level.
- Ph.D. theses examined and accepted or recommended for award.
For the 2026 award, eligible projects or theses may have been completed in academic years 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25 or 2025–26.
Nomination Procedure
Only one nomination in each INAE Engineering Section at each level—Doctoral, Master's and Bachelor's—is accepted from an Engineering College.
Nominations must be forwarded by the Principal, Dean, Head of Department, Registrar or Director of the Engineering College or institution where the candidate completed the project or thesis.
The completed nomination form, duly signed and supported by the required documents or appendices, should be sent by email to:
There is no requirement to send a hard copy of the nomination form.
Official Advertisement and Nomination Details
Full award guidelines, eligibility criteria and nomination information are available on the official INAE award page:
INAE Innovative Student Projects Award 2026
Award Amount
A maximum of 10 awardees at each level may receive the award.
- Doctoral Level: ₹15,000 cash award and certificate.
- Master's Level: ₹10,000 cash award and certificate.
- Bachelor's Level: ₹10,000 per team, with a ceiling of ₹5,000 per team member, along with a certificate.
Selection Procedure
The selection process will be conducted in two stages. Initial shortlisting will be carried out by the Selection Committee.
Shortlisted nominees will be invited to make an online presentation before the Selection Committee. Final recommendations will be submitted to the INAE Governing Council, whose decision will be final.
Presentation of Award
The awards may be presented during the INAE Annual Convention in December. Awardees may also be inducted as Student-Members of INAE for five years from the date of the award.
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Thematic Tracks
Submission Guidelines
Submit to: projects.p1@inae.in
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