India has introduced a new program offering 50 Quad scholarships, valued at $500,000, for Indo-Pacific students to study engineering at a government-funded technical institution in India. This announcement was part of the Wilmington Declaration Joint Statement by leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

The statement emphasized the Quad’s dedication to enhancing connections between their people and partners. It highlighted the Quad Fellowship’s role in developing future leaders in science, technology, and policy. The Institute of International Education (IIE) is implementing the fellowship with support from private sector partners including Google, the Pratt Foundation, and Western Digital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Quad Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, alongside leaders from the U.S., Australia, and Japan when this announcement was made.

About Quad Fellowship

Beginning in 2024, the fellowship will include master’s and doctoral STEM students studying in the United States. Administered by the IIE, the program aims to promote collaboration and innovation across various sectors in Quad nations.

The fellowship’s goal is to create a network of experts committed to advancing innovation and cooperation in private, public, and academic sectors within and among Quad countries.

Eligibility Criteria and Application for Quad

Candidates from Quad nations and ten Southeast Asian countries are eligible. Fellows receive a $40,000 grant for academic expenses. Specific criteria for the undergraduate engineering scholarships are yet to be announced.

General eligibility requirements include:

• Minimum age of 18
• Citizenship or legal residency in Quad or specified Southeast Asian countries
• Bachelor’s degree in STEM by August 2024
• Strong academic record
• Application to or enrollment in an eligible U.S. STEM graduate program for 2024-2025

Clinical healthcare degree programs such as doctorates of medicine or Masters of nursing are ineligible.

While applications for the current year are closed, prospective candidates can stay updated through the official Quad Fellowship website: https://www.quadfellowship.org/apply.