IICT and Netflix Announce 100 Scholarships to Support Next Generation of Indian Storytellers

The Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) and Netflix have announced a joint scholarship program for 100 students. The initiative provides up to 80 percent financial aid for six professional programs, including two one-year diplomas and four six-month certificate courses. This effort is designed to support the next generation of creative talent in India.

The scholarship covers subjects such as interactive comics, visual effects mastery, virtual art department content creation, media tech workflow, character animation, and e-sports and gaming management. The announcement follows a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos on August 5, 2026.

The Prime Minister had highlighted India's rich storytelling tradition and vast creative potential. Consequently, the 'Netflix India Storytelling Initiative' was launched to position India as a global hub for content creation and to strengthen the country's 'orange economy.'

IICT Board Chairman Chanchal Kumar stated that India's creative economy is at a pivotal point. He noted that IICT aims to bridge the gap between India's creative talent pool and the rapidly evolving global AVGC-XR industry. This partnership ensures that industry insights are integrated directly into the academic curriculum.

Dr. Vishwas Deveshkar, CEO of IICT, emphasized that the collaboration goes beyond basic skill training. By incorporating Netflix's professional standards and curriculum design, the institute aims to ensure students are fully prepared for industry demands. This systematic approach is intended to build a robust pipeline of talent.

Munjal Shroff, Chair of the FICCI AVGC-XR Forum, described the collaboration as a significant shift toward industry-aligned talent development. The scholarships are open to students and working professionals across India.

IICT is India's National Centre of Excellence for the AVGC-XR sector, established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. While currently operating from the NFDC Complex on Pedder Road in Mumbai, a permanent 10-acre campus is under development in Film City, Goregaon. Further details are available on the institute's website.