Rice Global India
Our mission statement
Fostering global collaboration and advancing its contributions to India’s rapidly growing education and technology sectors, Rice Global India’s mission is to accelerate and develop research, innovation and entrepreneurial programs with a dynamic range of Indian partners.
Rice Global India is the university’s incubator for developing research and innovation partnerships as well as advanced educational exchange with diverse industries and academic communities throughout India. Based in Bengaluru, Rice Global India builds upon partnerships begun in 2020 with IIT Kanpur and the founding of a joint Energy Materials Institute and further developed in 2023 with two strategic partnership agreements, one with IISc and one with IIT Kanpur. In 2025, the most recent strategic partnership was forged with IIT Madras.
Why India?
India’s growing influence in areas such as energy, climate change, artificial intelligence and biotechnology aligns with Rice’s own research priorities outlined in the university’s recently unveiled strategic plan, Momentous: Personalized Scale for Global Impact. The strategic expansion highlights Rice’s intention to contribute to India’s innovation ecosystem by engaging in joint research initiatives, faculty collaborations and student exchanges with leading institutions.
India’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing education and technology markets makes it a crucial partner for Rice’s global vision. The U.S.-India relationship, underscored by initiatives like the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, provides fertile ground for educational, technological and research exchanges.
Strategic Partnerships in India
Our partnerships will foster advanced research initiatives, student and faculty exchanges and collaborations in key areas of mutual interest such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and sustainable energy.
Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Launched in 2024, the Rice-IISc partnership focuses on advancing research through collaborative projects and funding opportunities, aiming to foster innovation and academic growth.
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK)
Launched in 2020, the Rice-IITK Collaborative Center in Kanpur fosters a thriving research environment for the development of long-term, cutting-edge research in global energy solutions.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM)
Launched in 2025, the Rice-IITM partnership advances research, education, and global mobility through collaborative projects, fellowships, and institutional exchange.
Faculty Research Funding
To support our commitment to developing research and education opportunities with Indian partners, Rice Global India hosts a range of programs to support strategic faculty activities.
Learn more here
Rice Excellence Scholarship
At the Rice Global India launch on November 18, 2025, President Reggie DesRoches introduced the Rice Excellence Scholarship. This multi-million dollar scholarship will support outstanding international students, including those from India, and covers both tuition and living expenses for eligible students. The Rice Excellence Scholarship is merit-based with no separate scholarship application required.
The scholarship is available to engineering and science students applying for professional master’s programs in electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, applied chemical sciences, bioscience and health policy, energy geosciences, environmental analysis, energy transition and sustainability and space studies.
The scholarship reflects Rice’s commitment to investing in exceptional talent and providing educational opportunities that drive academic excellence and global impact. For more information, contact riceglobalindia@rice.edu.
Contact Us
For any questions or to learn more, please email us at
riceglobalindia@rice.edu
New director expands partnerships in India
Sreya Ghose to lead Rice Global India
Sreya Ghose has been appointed the first in-country director of Rice Global India, advancing research, innovation and education partnerships across India.