U.S.-India TRUST Fellowship

The U.S.-India TRUST Fellowship advances U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to advancing strategic technology cooperation through a public–private partnership that brings outstanding Post- Doctoral researchers and early career faculty from leading U.S. institutions to conduct innovative research for 12 months at premier universities in India.

The initiative is a collaboration among the U.S. Consulate General Chennai, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), and founding sponsors Pratiksha Trust and Mazumdar Shaw Philanthropy (MSP).

Program Objectives
• Foster academic exchange between the United States and India and strengthen long-term international partnerships
• Enable impactful research outcomes – publications, patents, and commercialization.

Research Focus Areas
• Artificial Intelligence
• Semiconductors
• Energy
• Quantum Computing
• Biotechnology
• Space
• Defense

Fellowship Support and Benefits
• Monthly stipend for (Post-Doctoral Position): 1,650 USD
• Faculty Career Track Opportunity: Exceptional candidates who meet eligibility for early career faculty may be considered by IIT Madras for a Visiting Faculty position equivalent to an Assistant Professor role, offering an enhanced consolidated stipend of 3,650 USD per month.
• Accommodation
• Health/medical insurance
• One round-trip economy airfare between U.S. residence city and Chennai
• Contingency research grant: up to $2000
• Visa and on-ground logistical support

Eligibility
• PhD or Post-Doctoral researchers or early career faculty from leading U.S. institutions
• Proposed research must directly align with TRUST strategic technology fields
• Preference for U.S. citizens with no prior experience in India

Application Deadline : June 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM (U.S. Eastern Time). Applications will be reviewed and processed on a rolling basis upon receipt. The fellowship is scheduled to commence in August 2026.

Required documents :
• Academic CV (including publication details)
• Research and Teaching Plan (2–3 pages)
• Host faculty consent letter (optional but encouraged)

Contact Person
Rupa Suhas Pandit
Designation: Senior Project Officer
Email: projects@ge.iitm.ac.in

APPLICATION DEADLINE : June 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)