The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) sponsors a prestigious one-year innovation programme known as TETFund Academic Innovation and Research (TETFAIR). This initiative is designed to help researchers and academic staff in Nigerian universities transform innovative ideas into commercially viable products, including the development of working prototypes.
TETFAIR provides a rare opportunity for Nigerian academics to move beyond research papers and turn their ideas into real-world solutions that can attract industry partners, investors, and commercialization opportunities.
What Is TETFAIR?
TETFAIR is a 12-month innovation and venture development programme supported by TETFund. It combines research commercialization, product development, and entrepreneurship training, helping participants convert research ideas into scalable products and startups.
Selected teams of researchers are guided through a structured journey that blends:
- Technology and prototype development
- Business and venture creation
- Intellectual property and patent awareness
- Market validation and investor engagement
The programme targets novel solutions within approved areas of focus and supports ideas at the concept or early development stage.
Who Can Apply for TETFAIR?
TETFAIR is open to academic staff and researchers from TETFund-listed beneficiary institutions in Nigeria.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the programme, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must apply as a team of 2 to 4 researchers or academic staff
- Team members must be from a Nigerian university that is a TETFund beneficiary institution
- The proposed idea must fall within TETFAIR’s approved focus areas
- The Vice Chancellor’s office must endorse the application by signing an official endorsement form
- The idea should be at the idea stage or early development stage
- The innovation should ideally include a hardware or physical component (not purely digital)
Recommended Team Composition
TETFAIR strongly encourages multidisciplinary teams with complementary skills capable of taking an idea from concept to market.
An ideal team should include:
- A member with an original innovative idea and relevant technical or academic expertise
- A member with complementary technical skills (engineering, medical, scientific, mechanical, or related fields depending on the focus area)
- A member with business, financial, or entrepreneurial skills or strong commercial orientation
This balanced structure increases the chances of successfully developing a prototype and positioning the innovation for commercialization.
Benefits of the TETFAIR Programme
The TETFAIR journey runs for 12 months and combines physical and virtual participation. Key benefits include:
Training & Mentorship
- Practical innovation and entrepreneurship training
- Tailored mentorship from local and international experts
- Business model development and venture creation support
- Product and technology development methodologies
- Exposure to intellectual property, patents, and commercialization strategies
Prototype Development Support
- Full access to the INNOV8 HUB in Abuja, an ultra-modern fabrication and innovation centre
- Hands-on support from professional technical experts
- Advanced design and fabrication resources for prototype development
Fully Sponsored Participation
- All-expense-paid training in Abuja
- Coverage for flights, accommodation, feeding, and daily stipends
Exposure & Networking
- Opportunity to showcase innovations to:
- Industry partners
- Strategic collaborators
- Local and international investors
International Collaboration
The programme is designed and delivered in collaboration with:
- International experts from the Zell Entrepreneurship Program
- Technology development partners such as Makelab
- Academic collaboration with the globally renowned Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
How to Apply for TETFAIR
Applications for TETFAIR are submitted online through TETFund’s official platform.
Visit TETFund website to apply when the application window is open.
TETFAIR Application Requirements
The application is completed by one team member on behalf of the team. Before starting, ensure you have the following ready:
Required Documents and Information
- Personal and contact details of all team members:
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Phone number
- Academic degree
- Role within the team
- A PowerPoint presentation (maximum of 3 slides) saved as a PDF
- The presentation must strictly follow the official guidelines and format
- A video link (optional) showcasing your idea or any existing prototype
- A completed and signed Endorsement Form from your Vice Chancellor’s office
- The form must be downloaded, filled, signed, scanned, and uploaded
- A device with a working camera, as the application platform requires recording a short video during the submission process
Important Notes for Applicants
- Only applications from TETFund beneficiary institutions are accepted
- Incomplete or improperly documented applications may be disqualified
- VC endorsement is mandatory
- Selection is competitive and merit-based
Final Thoughts
The TETFund TETFAIR Programme is a powerful opportunity for Nigerian academics to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact. If you have an innovative idea with commercial potential and a strong multidisciplinary team, TETFAIR can provide the funding, mentorship, facilities, and exposure needed to bring your idea to life.
