TRUST Fellowship to Fund India-Linked Research in Bengaluru
The United States has announced the TRUST Fellowship, a new public-private programme that will fund India-linked research by US postdoctoral researchers and early-career faculty in collaboration with Indian institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced the fellowship at the US Mission’s National Day reception in Bengaluru on Sunday, according to an official statement. The announcement was made as the United States marked the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The fellowship is funded by Kris Gopalakrishnan’s Pratithi Investments and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s Mazumdar-Shaw Philanthropy, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, IISc and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. It will provide stipends for 12-month collaborative research projects involving US researchers and Indian institutions.
The programme will focus on critical technologies, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing and biotechnology. The first projects are scheduled to begin this month, although the statement did not specify the number of fellows, the total funding commitment or the individual institutions that will host each project.
The fellowship adds a new research component to the wider institutional and commercial relationship between the United States and Karnataka. IISc, one of the participating institutions, is based in Bengaluru, while IIT Madras and MAHE will also take part in the programme.
Gor also announced an expansion of the US Commercial Service’s presence in Bengaluru. The expanded operation is intended to support American companies seeking to compete and grow in south India through export counselling, market intelligence and connections with vetted local partners.
“American enterprises need stronger support, sharper market intelligence and wider doors in this market. That is precisely what this expansion delivers. It means more American exports. It means more American jobs. And it means American companies taking a direct stake in Bengaluru’s growth engine,” Gor said, according to the official statement.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said more than 1,000 American companies operate in the state, accounting for nearly half of the total American corporate presence in India. He also said that more than 80,000 American citizens live in Bengaluru. The figures were included in remarks delivered at the event and were not accompanied by further details in the statement.
The announcements were made against the backdrop of Bengaluru’s established links with US companies, research institutions and technology-sector organisations. The city’s Vidhana Soudha, the main building of IISc, ITC Gardenia, the State Central Library in Cubbon Park, Boeing and Collins Aerospace were illuminated in red, white and blue to mark the occasion.
The official announcement did not provide further details on the fellowship’s application process, selection criteria, participating researchers or the timeline for evaluating the collaborative projects.
