NCERT Offers ₹10,000 Grant For Innovative Teaching Projects

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has invited teachers and educators from Maharashtra to submit innovative project proposals aimed at improving classroom teaching, school management, and teacher education.

The initiative is part of NCERT's flagship programme, Promoting Innovative Practices and Experiments in Education for Schools and Teacher Education Institutions. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Maharashtra, has issued directions to widely publicise the initiative among schools and teacher education institutions for the 2026-27 academic year.

Under the programme, teachers, teacher educators, and trainee teachers can submit proposals showcasing innovative approaches to teaching, learning, assessment, classroom management, or institutional development. Selected projects will receive a seed grant of ₹10,000 from NCERT to support implementation.

Project proposals must reach the Principal of the Regional Institute of Education (RIE), NCERT, Bhopal, by July 31, 2026. Proposals may be submitted in Marathi, Hindi, or English. The initiative is part of NCERT's nationwide effort to encourage educators to develop practical, locally relevant solutions that improve learning outcomes and strengthen teacher education.

NCERT has identified several priority themes aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, including foundational literacy and numeracy, experiential learning, multilingual education, integration of technology, competency-based assessment, inclusive education, Indian Knowledge Systems, environmental education, and teacher professional development.

However, teachers are free to propose innovations on any aspect of school or teacher education that addresses day-to-day challenges in classrooms or institutions. Teachers from recognised State Board, CBSE, and other recognised schools, including special education institutions, are eligible to participate.

Faculty members from DIETs, colleges of teacher education, universities, SCERTs, and State Institutes of Education can also submit proposals. NCERT plans to promote 60 innovations nationally, including 40 in school education and 20 in teacher education.

Project proposals will undergo a two-stage evaluation process. Shortlisted proposals from the Regional Institutes of Education will be assessed by NCERT at the national level. Selected participants will implement their projects, after which they will submit a detailed report and present their work.

This initiative is significant for Maharashtra's education sector, as it encourages innovation and experimentation in teaching and learning. By providing a platform for teachers to share their innovative practices, NCERT aims to create a culture of innovation in education and improve learning outcomes for students.

The programme's focus on priority themes aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 ensures that the innovations are relevant and effective in addressing the challenges faced by the education sector. The seed grant of ₹10,000 will provide the necessary support for selected projects to be implemented and scaled up.

Overall, the initiative has the potential to make a positive impact on the education sector in Maharashtra and contribute to the larger goal of improving the quality of education in India.

The deadline for submitting project proposals is July 31, 2026, and teachers and educators from Maharashtra are encouraged to participate and submit their innovative ideas.