US launches TRUST Fellowship in Bengaluru to boost tech ties with India

US Ambassador Sergio Gor has formally launched the TRUST Fellowship, a public-private research initiative designed to deepen technology collaboration between the United States and India. The announcement was made during a National Day reception in Bengaluru, which also marked the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The fellowship will support 12-month collaborative research projects pairing US postdoctoral researchers and early-career faculty with their counterparts at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The focus areas include Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, and biotechnology.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Gor said the initiative would help attract more researchers and accelerate the translation of research breakthroughs into commercial applications. He also announced an expansion of the US Commercial Service presence in Bengaluru, which will offer American companies export counselling, market intelligence, and connections with local partners seeking to expand in South India.

Highlighting the broader strategic relationship, Mr. Gor pointed to ongoing cooperation in space, including joint missions and discussions on lunar exploration, as evidence of the growing scope of bilateral ties.

To mark the occasion, several Bengaluru landmarks, including Vidhana Soudha and the IISc main building, were illuminated in red, white, and blue.