About EFPM

About EFPM

  • For: Senior working professionals
  • Duration: 3 Years
  • Location: Hyderabad

The Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) is hallmark of ISB’s Research.

The doctoral-level programme taught in an executive format, will provide a portfolio of skills for business professionals who want to increase their understanding of business theory, combine innovative business theory and practice, and learn to solve complex business problems through cutting-edge research methodologies. It has been specially crafted for senior executives who wish to deepen their understanding of research methods and apply them to address the modern challenges of today’s dynamic business environment.

The programme is premised on the belief that sound theoretical understanding can help executives address complex issues in the real world. EFPM is broad in scope, cutting across business disciplines to solve problems faced by senior executives.

It is a part-time, three-year programme designed to fit your schedule. You will learn to approach problems as an evidence-based manager, and as a thought leader in your field.



Rajendra Srivastava

Novartis Professor of Marketing Strategy and Innovation
Executive Director - Institute of Business Innovation, CBM & EFPM

Who is it for?

The Executive FPM attracts experienced business leaders and faculty without doctorate who have the passion, ability, and intellectual curiosity to pursue a terminal degree. The EFPM is for a select group of senior professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree and have extensive work experience but who do not want to leave their careers to pursue a full-time PhD or FPM. Individuals who are attracted to the executive DBA equivalent programme often seek to deepen their understanding of latest business theory and apply it to address modern challenges of today’s dynamic business environment. Others pursue it as a means of moving into a career in higher education or to increase their expertise for a career in business research and consulting.

Why Executive EFPM?

There are  very few options for business executive education beyond the master's degree level. This is especially true for professionals who want to seek advanced education while still fully employed. Senior managers who participate in executive education often want to further their education beyond the MBA or specialised business master’s degree.

The growing complexity of managing a business in a rapidly changing business environment requires skill-sets that exceed the MBA or executive MBA level.

The executive DBA equivalent programme is suited senior managers who want to advanced their career in industry or consulting. It is also aimed at professionals who want at some stage of their career to move into higher education.

There is extreme shortage of doctoral level faculty in business schools as identified by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) which is the world premier accrediting body of business schools. Offering doctoral level programme for senior managers helps in addressing the faculty needs of business schools and to enhance their teaching capacity in such institutions. 

EFPM Overview

The Executive Fellow Programme in Management is broad in scope, cutting across disciplines to solve challenges facing senior professionals in the business world. The Executive FPM focuses on providing its students with knowledge, skills, best practices, and resources to solve complex business problems in today’s business environment.

Admissions

ISB EFPM aims to bring together senior executives who wish to deepen their understanding of research methods and apply them to address the modern day challenges existing in a dynamic business environment. The common denominators are superior academic credentials and a consistent display of intellectual prowess. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Applicants must have a strong interest in pursuing pracademic research and an insatiable thirst to approach problems as an evidence-based manager, and as a thought leader in their field. 

Fees and Financing

Programme fee for the academic year commencing in September 2025 is ₹47,00,000 plus taxes. The fee includes admission fee, tuition fee, boarding and lodging expenses for the residencies. Admitted students are required to pay a non-refundable admission fee in order to secure a seat in the class.

EFPM Cohort

The Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) at ISB attracts a distinguished group of senior executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from diverse industries, including IT, consulting, financial services, and manufacturing. Each cohort represents a blend of academic excellence, professional achievements, and a shared passion for impactful research.

EFPM Alumni

The EFPM alumni represent a distinguished network of accomplished professionals who seamlessly blend research excellence with real-world application. From serving as professors at esteemed institutions to leading global corporations and driving innovation as entrepreneurs, their journeys exemplify a commitment to creating meaningful impact.

Cohort Profile

Campus

The residencies of the EFPM will be held at either Hyderabad or Mohali campus. The campus where the residencies are to be held will be communicated to the students 2-3 months in advance.

The ISB Hyderabad campus spread over 260 acres, is internet enabled with state-of-the-art air-conditioned lecture theatres, an excellent library, video conferencing and other world-class facilities.

The ISB Mohali campus spread across 70 acres in the Knowledge City is equipped with state-of-the-art learning infrastructure - lecture theatres, a 500-seater auditorium, high definition video conferencing facilities to enable collaboration across locations.

FAQ

What is the difference between the EFPM and the FPM ?

The EFPM and FPM both are doctoral level programmes aimed at different kinds of audience.
The Executive FPM is for business professionals who want to enhance their knowledge and make a significant contribution to their specific area of business while continuing to work full-time. It focuses on developing a practical solution for current business or economic problems and aims at contributing to the knowledge of management.
The FPM is a full-time research-oriented program designed to prepare graduates for a career in academic teaching and research. While FPM also contributes to the knowledge of management, it is more theoretical in nature.

Executive Fellow Programme in Management

Working Hours

Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM IST to 05:00 PM IST