In another step towards encouraging innovative ideas and projects, the India Council for Integral Education (ICIE), a unit of Sri Aurobindo Society, has received a $1 million grant called Education Innovation Fund for India (EIFI). The grant is sponsored by Hewlett Packard through its office of global social innovation and is managed by ICIE. The fund was formally launched in the presence of eminent people including the US Consul General for Chennai, Jennifer A. McIntyre.

ICIE is seeking proposals from educational institutes and nonprofit organizations for the grant. The grant will seek out students, NGOs, and education experts who can come up with innovative educational projects in any part of the education system right from kindergarten and school upto college-level education. Projects on adult education and distance learning will be especially encouraged. The aim of the grant is to focus on changing the technical or social processes used in Indian education.

Proposals for grants are invited for laboratory, pilot, and model projects. The requests for proposal will have to be submitted on or before October 30. The EIFI grants will be available under two categories of main grants. The Rs 1 crore grant will be for large-scale projects ready to scale for mass delivery and will be given to a single applicant. The major project grant worth Rs 15 lakh (to be given to 15 people) will be for pilots or models. There are also micro grants for young learners and innovators, including Rs. 11,000 for children in the 11–14-years age group and Rs 1 lakh for those in the 15–18-years age group.