MICA Fellow Programme in Management
MICA’s distinctive strength lies in integrating marketing, communication, media, culture, consumer behaviour, and technology into a unified research ecosystem, enabling scholars to address complex marketplace and societal challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective.
MICA FPM is a research-focused, four-year full-time doctoral programme (non-residential) designed to develop scholars who shape industry practice, influence policy, and contribute to academic discourse globally. Set on MICA’s 19-acre campus in Shela, Ahmedabad, the programme is fully funded for the selected scholars – covering tuition, a monthly stipend, and research grants – and has produced scholars who now hold positions at leading academic and research institutions worldwide.
Fully Funded
4-Year Doctoral Track
Global Research Immersion
42 Fellows Since Inception in 2010
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What is MICA FPM ? A Doctoral Programme in Strategic Marketing and Communication
MICA FPM (Fellow Programme in Management) is a four-year, full-time doctoral programme (non-residential) offered by MICA, Ahmedabad, structured around scholarly research in strategic marketing and communication. Since founding in 2010, 42 scholars have completed the programme, going on to influence academic institutions, policy development, and industry practice as MICA Fellows. The programme is delivered on MICA’s 19-acre campus in Shela, Ahmedabad.
MICA is positioned as Asia-Pacific’s only residential institute for Strategic Marketing and Communication, and the FPM is built to develop scholars who address global challenges through rigorous, evidence-based research. The programme combines coursework in research methodology, theory building, and consumer culture with a structured scholarly development pathway – including national and international conference presentations, publication requirements, a three-month international immersion programme, and a final thesis with external review and defence.
FPM scholars move into faculty positions at leading academic institutions, research roles at multinational corporations, policy advisory positions, and entrepreneurial ventures that combine research insight with business applications.
MICA runs FPM alongside its postgraduate programmes – MICA PGDM – data, analytics, and AI specialisation and MICA PGDM-C – brand strategy and marketing communications specialisation – making it the only Indian institute offering a research-led doctoral track in this specific intersection of marketing, communication, and culture.
MICA FPM Research Areas: Where Scholars Build Their Expertise
MICA FPM scholars work across the institute’s core areas of research focus – the same domains where MICA’s faculty actively publish, advise, and lead industry conversations.
Strategic Marketing
Consumer behaviour, brand strategy, marketing analytics, customer experience, and marketing in emerging markets. Research here engages with how brands build long-term equity in shifting consumer landscapes.
Communication Studies
Integrated marketing communication, advertising research, media studies, communication
theory, and the role of storytelling in shaping markets, movements, and meaning.
Consumer Culture and Cultural Studies
Consumer culture theory, semiotics, cultural intelligence, and how consumption practices
shape – and are shaped by – society, identity, and meaning.
Digital Platforms, AI, and Emerging Technologies
The impact of digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies on marketing, communication, and consumer behaviour, including ethical and societal dimensions.
Media and Entertainment
The economics, production, and consumption of media; OTT, sports business, and the wider
entertainment ecosystem as objects of scholarly study.
Sustainability, Society, and Public Communication
Research on responsible marketing, sustainability communication, social and developmental
marketing, and the role of communication in public policy and behaviour change.
How MICA FPM Builds Scholarly and Research Capabilities
The MICA FPM curriculum is structured to take scholars from coursework foundation to original published research, across four years of full-time engagemen
Coursework Foundation
The MICA FPM curriculum is structured to take scholars from coursework foundation to original published research, across four years of full-time engagement.
Scholars complete 53 credits in the coursework foundational phase, spanning research methodology, theory building, and consumer culture theory – the conceptual and methodological grounding required for rigorous work at a global scholarly standard. Coursework includes diverse research designs and contemporary methodological training, alongside critical thinking and ethical research frameworks that consider social, cultural, and environmental impact.
Building Scholarly Visibility
The middle phase of the programme builds scholarly visibility. Scholars present at national and international conferences, work toward publication in peer-reviewed journals, and spend three months on a global research immersion through a partnership with an international university – exposing them to research cultures, faculty networks, and methodologies beyond the Indian academic ecosystem.
MICA’s own research infrastructure supports this development, including the Journal of Creative Communications (a Scopus Q2-ranked peer-reviewed journal), the International Communication Management Conference (ICMC), the Centre for Development Management and Communication (CDMC), and the Centre for Human-Inspired AI.
Research, Thesis and Dissemination
The final phase is the doctoral thesis itself – independent original research that undergoes external review, formal defence, and structured knowledge dissemination. MICA’s faculty serve as advisors and committee members through this process, with several MICA professors holding editorial roles at leading international journals in marketing, consumer behaviour, and communication.
This prepares scholars for academic careers, research-led industry roles, policy advisory positions, and independent scholarly work that shapes how strategic marketing and communication are understood and practised.
Eligibility Criteria
As mandated by the UGC Guidelines, a candidate can gain admission into the Fellowship Programme in Management (FPM) through three primary pathways:
|
Candidates with relevant academic, professional, or research experience in Marketing, Media, Public Relations, Advertising, Journalism, Communications, or related fields will be given due consideration.
Admission and Selection Process
The FPM selection process comprises of four steps: Step 1: A valid score in CAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE, UGC-NET/JRF, or GATE. Scores from any of the above examinations. This will carry 10% weightage in the final selection process.
Step 2:Online Application and performance in MICAT Step 3:Online Screening Interview. Step 4: On campus FPM Written Test (FWT), Individual Presentation (IP), and Personal Interview (PI). Final selection is based on performance across all the steps mentioned above and relevant professional/research experience in marketing, media, and communication. |
Faculty Mentorship, Thesis Advisory Committee, and Teaching Experience
One of the defining features of MICA FPM is its personalised mentorship model. Each scholar is guided by a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) comprising a TAC Chair, faculty members from MICA, and an international academic associated with the scholar’s global immersion. The TAC provides sustained academic guidance—from refining research questions and developing methodological capabilities to monitoring annual progress, publication planning, and successful completion of the doctoral thesis. The programme’s intentionally small cohort size (typically comprising 5-8 members) enables close interaction with faculty, regular research discussions, and individualised scholarly development throughout the four-year journey.
Scholars also gain valuable experience through research assistantships and opportunities to contribute to JoCC, Rural Immersion, ICMC, CDMC, and other research-intensive academic services, helping them develop holistically.
Developing Scholars with Global Research Visibility
The programme is designed around the expectation that doctoral research should contribute meaningfully to the global scholarly community. Accordingly, scholars are encouraged to present their work at national and international conferences, engage with leading researchers, and publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals. These experiences, together with the international research immersion, strengthen scholarly networks, enhance research visibility, and prepare graduates to participate confidently in international academic conversations. Throughout the programme, emphasis is placed on conducting research that is rigorous, relevant, ethically grounded, and capable of creating impact for academia, industry, policy, and society.
MICA FPM Funding and Financial Support
MICA FPM is fully funded for selected scholars. The programme is structured so that admitted candidates can focus entirely on research without financial barriers.
| Funding Component | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Full waiver | Covered for the duration of the programme for selected scholars |
| Monthly stipend | ₹45,500 – ₹48,500 | Paid through the foundational coursework and research phases |
| Research contingency grant | ₹25,000 – ₹30,000 annually | For research expenses including data collection, software, and academic materials |
| International immersion | Supported | Funding for the three-month international university partnership |
| Conference and publication support | Supported | Travel and registration support for national and international conference presentations |
What this means in practice: Selected MICA FPM scholars do not pay tuition. They receive a monthly stipend through their coursework and active research years, an annual research grant to fund their own studies, and institutional support for international immersion and conferences. The funding structure is built around the assumption that doctoral scholars should be focused on producing world-class research, not on financing their own training.
MICA FPM Eligibility and Admission Process 2027
Admission to the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) (4-year) – (PhD Equivalent) is based on the following eligibility criteria. As mandated by the UGC Guidelines, a candidate can gain admission into the Fellowship Programme in Management (FPM) through three primary pathways:
Educational qualification
Three primary pathways:
|
Entrance qualification
A valid score in MICAT-I or MICAT-II is required. MICAT is typically conducted in December and February. If a candidate appears for both examinations, the better of the two scores will be considered for the admission process.Specific requirements vary by year and area of research.
Research proposal
Shortlisted candidates are asked to submit a research proposal
articulating their intended area of inquiry, the research questions, and a preliminary
methodological approach.
Personal interview
Based on their MICAT performance, shortlisted candidates will be invited for an Online Screening Interview.
Following the screening process, selected candidates will be invited for a final interview with MICA’s FPM Admissions Committee, where their research proposal will be discussed and their academic and research fit for the programme will be assessed.
Final selection
Based on a composite of CAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE, UGC-NET/JRF, or GATE (10% weightage), MICAT, academic record, research proposal strength, interview performance, and alignment with MICA’s research areas and faculty expertise. |
For complete details, current entrance requirements, and to apply, see the MICA FPM admissions page.
Faculty Mentorship, Thesis Advisory Committee, and Teaching Experience
One of the defining features of MICA FPM is its personalised mentorship model. Each scholar is guided by a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) comprising a TAC Chair, faculty members from MICA, and an international academic associated with the scholar’s global immersion. The TAC provides sustained academic guidance—from refining research questions and developing methodological capabilities to monitoring annual progress, publication planning, and successful completion of the doctoral thesis. The programme’s intentionally small cohort size (typically comprising 5-8 members) enables close interaction with faculty, regular research discussions, and individualised scholarly development throughout the four-year journey.
Scholars also gain valuable experience through research assistantships and opportunities to contribute to JoCC, Rural Immersion, ICMC, CDMC, and other research-intensive academic services, helping them develop holistically.
Developing Scholars with Global Research Visibility
The programme is designed around the expectation that doctoral research should contribute meaningfully to the global scholarly community. Accordingly, scholars are encouraged to present their work at national and international conferences, engage with leading researchers, and publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals. These experiences, together with the international research immersion, strengthen scholarly networks, enhance research visibility, and prepare graduates to participate confidently in international academic conversations. Throughout the programme, emphasis is placed on conducting research that is rigorous, relevant, ethically grounded, and capable of creating impact for academia, industry, policy, and society.
MICA FPM Funding and Financial Support
MICA FPM is fully funded for selected scholars. The programme is structured so that admitted candidates can focus entirely on research without financial barriers.
Tuition
Full waiver. Covered for the duration of the programme for selected scholars
Monthly stipend
₹45,500 – ₹48,500. Paid through the foundational coursework and research phases
Research contingency grant
₹25,000 – ₹30,000 annually. For research expenses including data
collection, software, and academic materials
International immersion
Supported. Funding for the three-month international
university partnership
Conference and publication support
Supported. Travel and registration support for national and
international conference presentations
What this means in practice: Selected MICA FPM scholars do not pay tuition. They receive a monthly stipend through their coursework and active research years, an annual research grant to fund their own studies, and institutional support for international immersion and conferences. The funding structure is built around the assumption that doctoral scholars should be focused on producing world-class research, not on financing their own training.
MICA FPM Funding and Financial Support
MICA FPM is fully funded for selected scholars. The programme is structured so that admitted
candidates can focus entirely on research without financial barriers.
What this means in practice: Selected MICA FPM scholars do not pay tuition. They receive a
monthly stipend through their coursework and active research years, an annual research grant
to fund their own studies, and institutional support for international immersion and
conferences. The funding structure is built around the assumption that doctoral scholars
should be focused on producing world-class research, not on financing their own training.
FPM Faculty and Research Supervision at MICA
Plus: Visiting faculty from leading agencies and production houses, bringing current industry practices directly to your classroom.
Where MICA FPM Scholars Go: Career Outcomes
MICA FPM is not a placement-driven programme – but its graduates have built careers across institutions and roles where doctoral training matters most.
Academic careers
MICA FPM alumni hold faculty positions at leading academic institutions in India and abroad, teaching and researching across marketing, communication, consumer behaviour, and allied disciplines.
Industry research roles
Scholars have moved into research and insight leadership roles at multinational corporations, market research firms, and consulting organisations – bringing doctoral-level rigour to applied business problems.
Policy and advisory work
Some graduates work in policy advisory positions with government bodies, development organisations, and think tanks, contributing research-grounded perspectives to public decision-making.
Entrepreneurial ventures
A subset of alumni has built their own ventures – research consultancies, knowledge firms, and creative-research hybrid practices that combine scholarly insight with commercial application.
The common thread across these paths is the ability to do original, defensible, publishable work – and to make that work matter to the world outside the academy.
MICA FPM in Context: How a Specialist Doctoral Programme Differs
MICA FPM occupies a distinctive position among Indian doctoral programmes in management. Unlike general management PhD or FPM programmes that span the full spectrum of business disciplines, MICA’s FPM is deliberately focused on strategic marketing and communication – the institute’s core area of academic depth. This focus shapes everything: the coursework, the research areas, the faculty expertise scholars work with, and the academic communities they enter.
For aspirants whose research interests sit at the intersection of marketing, consumer behaviour, communication, culture, or media, MICA FPM offers depth and faculty mentorship in those specific domains that broader management doctoral programmes typically cannot match. For aspirants whose intended research is in finance, operations, strategy, or other general management areas, a broader management PhD programme would be a stronger fit.
For a more applied management track, MICA offers PGDM – data, analytics, and AI specialisation and PGDM-C – brand strategy and marketing communications specialisation – both two-year postgraduate programmes that build management practitioners rather than research scholars.
Life at MICA - Campus, Cohort, and Learning Culture
MICA sits on a 19-acre fully residential campus in Shela, Ahmedabad, where students, faculty, and scholars work alongside each other. For doctoral scholars, this matters: the proximity to faculty, the access to the 24×7 library, the ongoing seminars and research conversations across MICA’s centres and journals all shape the experience of building a research career.
The FPM cohort is small and intentional. Since founding in 2010, MICA has admitted scholars in carefully selected numbers and 42 of them have completed their Fellowship till date. This enables every scholar to receive close faculty mentoring and individual academic attention—an important advantage over much larger doctoral programmes. The wider MICAn community across the PGDM and PGDM-C cohorts adds breadth: FPM scholars often collaborate on research and teach in postgraduate courses, building both intellectual range and pedagogical experience.
Campus life is anchored by signature events that are MICA-specific: Micanvas, the institute’s annual cultural and creative festival, and Mic-Drop, alongside the steady rhythm of guest lectures, research seminars, and academic conferences that define life at a research institute.
Notable MICA Scholars and Alumni
MICA’s curriculum directly translated to my success in securing a summer placement and a PPO at Google. What truly sets MICA apart is its community. The unwavering support from faculty, PlaceComm, and my peers was incredible, and experiencing the strength of the MICA network firsthand through the mentorship of MICA seniors already at Google was an invaluable part of my journey.
Maheshwari Rawat
Product Support Consultant, Google India
Securing a PPO from HSBC has been a defining milestone in my professional journey, and I owe much of this success to the rigorous ecosystem at MICA. The college’s focus on strategic marketing and consumer insights provided me with the unique toolkit needed to excel during my internship.
Aditya Singh
Management Trainee, International Wealth and Premier Banking - HSBC
Frequently Asked Questions About MICA FPM
What is MICA FPM?
MICA FPM (Fellow Programme in Management) is a four-year, full-time residential doctoral programme in strategic marketing and communication, offered by MICA, Ahmedabad. The programme is research-focused, fully funded for selected scholars, and has produced 42 Fellows since inception in 2010 who now work across academia, industry research, and policy.
Is MICA FPM equivalent to a PhD?
MICA FPM is a Fellow Programme in Management – a research-focused doctoral programme of the kind offered by leading management institutes in India. It produces original research and confers a doctoral-level qualification designed for careers in academia, research and policy.
It is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as equivalent to a PhD programme.
How long is MICA FPM?
MICA FPM is a four-year full-time residential programme. The first phase consists of coursework (53 credits in research methodology, theory building, and consumer culture theory), followed by phases focused on scholarly development, international immersion, and the doctoral thesis.
Is MICA FPM funded?
Yes. MICA FPM is fully funded for selected scholars. Funding includes a full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend of ₹45,500 to ₹48,500, an annual research contingency grant of ₹25,000 to₹30,000, and institutional support for international research immersion and conference participation.
What are the eligibility requirements for MICA FPM?
What are the eligibility requirements for MICA FPM?
Admission to the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) (4-year) – (PhD Equivalent) is based on the following eligibility criteria. As mandated by the UGC Guidelines, a candidate can gain admission into the Fellowship Programme in Management (FPM) through three primary pathways:
- 2-Year Master’s: Completion of a 2-year (4-semester) Master’s degree after a standard 3-year Bachelor’s degree.
- 1-Year Master’s: Completion of a 1-year (2-semester) Master’s degree after a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with Honours or Research.
- Direct Entry from 4-Year Bachelor’s: A 4-year Bachelor’s degree (Honours with Research) with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 7.5 out of 10 (or equivalent 75% marks).
- Foreign nationals and NRIs with non-Indian degrees that are considered equivalent (by UGC/AIU/AICTE) to the qualifications listed with GRE are also eligible to apply for the programme. Foreign nationals and NRIs with non-Indian degrees that are considered equivalent (by UGC/AIU/AICTE) to the qualifications listed with GRE are also eligible to apply for the programme.
Candidates with relevant academic, professional, or research experience in Marketing, Media, Public Relations, Advertising, Journalism, Communications, or related fields will be given due consideration.
What research areas does MICA FPM offer?
MICA FPM scholars work across strategic marketing, communication studies, consumer culture and cultural studies, digital and AI research, media and entertainment, and sustainability and public communication – aligned with MICA faculty expertise and the institute’s research centres.
Where do MICA FPM graduates work?
Alumni hold faculty positions at leading academic institutions, research and insight roles at multinational corporations, policy advisory positions with government and development organisations, and entrepreneurial roles in research-led ventures.
What is the international immersion in MICA FPM?
FPM scholars spend three months on a research immersion through a partnership with at an international university. The immersion exposes scholars to global research practices, faculty networks, and methodological approaches, and is funded as part of the programme.
Does MICA FPM require MICAT?
Yes, FPM Candidates need to appear for MICAT Exam which are usually conducted twice a year (December and February).
How is MICA FPM different from a general management PhD?
MICA FPM is specifically focused on strategic marketing and communication – the institute’s core area of academic depth. General management PhD programmes typically span finance, operations, strategy, and other disciplines alongside marketing. For research at the intersection of marketing, communication, culture, and media, MICA FPM offers focus and faculty depth that broader programmes typically cannot match.
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