Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Rice University have identified each other as strategic partners to build deep collaborations in research and education. The IIT Madras & Rice University Strategic Partnership Collaboration Awards have been established to facilitate and support joint initiatives that will strengthen the two universities’ strategic priorities as well as develop multi-disciplinary cutting-edge research to create academic and societal impact.

Proposals should plan for long-term engagement that includes leveraging external funding and publication outputs. Proposals must include a team of participants from both institutions and are encouraged to include PhD or masters by research students, postdocs, Early- and Mid-Career Researchers (EMCR), and researchers on sabbatical leave. Projects that are multidisciplinary in nature are encouraged.

In this round, up to three proposals will be funded (each with two Investigators; one from IIT Madras and one from Rice University). Each successful proposal from Rice University may receive up to USD 25,000.

Full-time and research faculty members at Rice are eligible to apply. Each grant requires at least one PI from IITM and one PI from Rice. Additional collaborators are welcome but not required. Proposals are invited from academic staff from all disciplines at IIT Madras and Rice University, as well as their affiliated Research Centers and Institutes. Please inform your department chair that you have applied.

• Proposals are due on or before January 15, 2026
• Awards announced by February 20, 2026
• Funds available March 15, 2026
• Projects should be concluded by February 28, 2027
• Final reports due May 31, 2027

Award selection will be made by a joint committee formed by members of both universities, which reserves final authority over the selection of projects, taking into account university and faculty strategic priorities, as well as the availability of funds.

For additional information, including selection criteria, eligible costs, and submission instructions, please download the guidelines document below.

• RICE-IITM SCA GUIDELINES
• PROJECT TIMELINE AND BUDGET FORM

RICE UNIVERSITY ONLINE APPLICATION LINK

For any questions about the SCA or proposal submission process, please email global@rice.edu.