Netflix and IICT Offer Up to 80% Scholarships for AVGC Courses
Highlights
- Netflix and IICT will provide scholarships to 100 students and working professionals across India.
- The financial aid covers up to 80% of fees for six AVGC-XR programs.
- Applications are open from Aug. 24 to Sept. 30, 2026.
Netflix and the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) have launched a scholarship program for 100 students and working professionals seeking training in India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector. The initiative will cover up to 80% of course fees across six professional programs, with applications available until Sept. 30, 2026.
The scholarships are being funded through the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity and are part of the first phase of the company’s India Storytelling Initiative. The broader initiative followed Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos’ meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his India visit and is aimed at developing the country’s creative talent pipeline. Netflix said its India operations have contributed to more than 200 Originals and involved filming across more than 100 locations over the company’s decade-long presence in the country.
Six AVGC-XR Programs Included in Netflix Scholarship
The scholarship covers two one-year diploma programs: Interactive Comics & Sequential Arts and Visual Effects Mastery. It also applies to four six-month certificate courses focused on virtual art department content creation, character animation, media tech workflow, and esports and gaming management.
Netflix India Content Vice President Monika Shergill said the initiative is designed to provide emerging creators with practical exposure to areas including animation, VFX, gaming, and comics.
Netflix has also contributed to the development of the Visual Effects Mastery and Media Tech Workflow curricula, with both courses incorporating current production practices. By including working professionals alongside students, the program extends beyond conventional entry-level training.
Netflix-IICT Partnership Targets Industry Skills
The scholarship program expands on the October 2025 memorandum of understanding between Netflix, IICT, and FICCI. The agreement outlined collaboration on curriculum development, workshops, guest lectures, masterclasses, and scholarships. Netflix also became part of IICT’s research and development, academic and industry development councils.
IICT Board Chairman and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Secretary Chanchal Kumar said the partnership could help align India’s creative workforce with the evolving needs of the global AVGC-XR industry. IICT CEO Dr. Vishwas Deoskar said the collaboration brings together education, industry participation, and financial support, while FICCI AVGC-XR Forum Chairman Munjal Shroff emphasized the importance of developing industry-ready talent.
IICT was established as India’s national centre of excellence for AVGC-XR. It currently operates from the NFDC Complex in Mumbai, while a permanent 10-acre campus is being developed at Film City in Goregaon.
With financial assistance added to its industry-oriented programs, the initiative could make specialized AVGC-XR training more accessible to both new entrants and professionals looking to build skills for India’s expanding creative-technology workforce.