Call for Expression of Interest to Strengthen School Innovation Councils (India)

Deadline: 10-May-2026

The UNICEF has invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) to strengthen India’s school innovation ecosystem in line with the National Education Policy 2020. The initiative focuses on scaling School Innovation Councils (SICs), building educator capacity, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship skills among students. It aims to create a structured, inclusive, and sustainable national framework for innovation-driven learning.

UNICEF is seeking partners to support a nationwide initiative that enhances innovation, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving skills among school students.

The programme builds on existing efforts led by the Ministry of Education India and its Innovation Cell Ministry of Education, aiming to scale impact and improve quality across states.

What are School Innovation Councils (SICs)?

School Innovation Councils (SICs) are institutional platforms within schools designed to:

• Promote innovation and creativity among students
• Encourage entrepreneurial thinking
• Support idea development and problem-solving
• Facilitate mentorship and project-based learning

They play a key role in embedding innovation into school education systems.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

1. Strengthening SICs Across States

• Improve operational effectiveness of existing SICs
• Expand reach to more schools nationwide

2. Building Student Innovation Skills

• Promote entrepreneurship and design thinking
• Enable structured innovation pathways

3. Educator Capacity Building

• Train teachers as innovation ambassadors
• Provide mentoring, masterclasses, and continuous development

4. National Innovation Skills Framework

• Develop standardized competencies and benchmarks
• Align innovation education across grades

5. Multilingual Learning Modules

• Create accessible content in multiple languages
• Ensure inclusivity across diverse regions

6. Institutional Strengthening

• Improve implementation quality at school, district, and state levels
• Provide operational toolkits and handbooks

7. Equity and Inclusion Focus

• Target rural and underserved communities
• Support girls and first-generation learners

8. School–Industry–HEI Linkages

• Connect schools with industry and higher education institutions
• Enable real-world exposure and mentorship

9. Outcome-Based Monitoring Systems

• Track progress through measurable indicators
• Improve quality of student innovation outputs

Key Challenges the Programme Addresses

• Limited reach of SICs relative to India’s school system
• Inconsistent quality of student innovation projects
• Lack of structured mentoring and pedagogy
• Gaps in rural and gender inclusion
• Absence of standardized frameworks and assessment systems

Programme Approach

1. Framework Development

• Create a national Innovation Skills and Culture Framework
• Define competencies, assessments, and quality benchmarks

2. Structured Learning Ecosystem

• Develop grade-wise modules and toolkits
• Standardize innovation education delivery

3. Educator Enablement

• Conduct:
  • Orientation sessions
  • Masterclasses
  • Continuous professional development

4. Strengthening Governance Systems

• Train state and district-level stakeholders
• Introduce operational guidelines and manuals

5. Student Innovation Pathways

• Enable idea validation and incubation
• Link students to competitions and platforms

Who is Eligible?

While specific eligibility may vary, typical applicants include:

• Non-profit organisations and NGOs
• Educational institutions and networks
• EdTech and innovation-focused organisations
• Consortiums with experience in education and skilling

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Experience in education or innovation ecosystems
• Capacity to work across multiple states
• Strong implementation and partnership capabilities

Why This Initiative Matters

• Aligns with India’s shift toward innovation-driven education
• Strengthens foundational skills like creativity and problem-solving
• Promotes entrepreneurship at school level
• Bridges rural–urban and gender gaps
• Builds a future-ready workforce

How to Apply (EOI Process)

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Review EOI Requirements
   • Understand programme scope and expectations
2. Prepare Expression of Interest
   • Highlight organisational expertise
   • Outline proposed approach and methodology
3. Demonstrate Capacity
   • Showcase past experience in:
     • Education programmes
     • Training and capacity building
     • Innovation ecosystems
4. Submit Proposal
   • Follow UNICEF submission guidelines
5. Evaluation and Shortlisting
   • Based on relevance, experience, and scalability

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Vague implementation strategy
• Lack of scalability across states
• Weak focus on educator training
• Ignoring inclusion (rural, gender, underserved groups)
• No clear monitoring or evaluation plan

Tips for a Strong EOI

• Align clearly with NEP 2020 goals
• Emphasize measurable outcomes and impact
• Demonstrate partnerships with government and institutions
• Include scalable and sustainable models
• Highlight innovation in pedagogy and delivery

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main goal of this EOI?

To strengthen India’s school innovation ecosystem by improving SICs and building innovation capacity.

2. What are SICs?

School Innovation Councils are school-level bodies that promote innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

3. Who can apply?

Organisations with experience in education, innovation, or capacity building.

4. What is the role of educators in this programme?

Teachers are trained as innovation ambassadors to guide and mentor students.

5. Does the programme focus on rural areas?

Yes, it prioritises underserved regions, including rural and aspirational districts.

6. How does the programme ensure sustainability?

By transferring frameworks and tools to institutions like AICTE, Ministry of Education Innovation Cell, and SCERT.

7. What outcomes are expected?

Improved student innovation skills, better educator capacity, and a scalable national innovation framework.

Conclusion

This UNICEF-led initiative represents a major step toward embedding innovation and entrepreneurship into India’s school education system. By strengthening School Innovation Councils, building educator capacity, and creating standardized frameworks, the programme aims to transform how students learn and innovate.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.