Inaugural Maitri Scholars Program,

Applications are open for the inaugural Maitri Scholars Program, to support India's best and brightest students to complete post-graduate STEM degrees at Australian universities.

The program will deepen scientific and research collaboration between Australia and India, in emerging sectors of advanced manufacturing, critical technology, critical minerals, and clean energy solutions.

The Maitri Scholars Program will provide scholarships to around 45 students over the next four years in these fields, with an Australian Government investment of $11.2 million to support the program.

Scholarships will be administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, and be open to all Australian universities, who can nominate PhD and masters' students.

The Maitri Scholars Program is a recommendation of an update to the India Economic Strategy to 2035, aimed at creating life-long connections and goodwill between our countries. Australia's education ties with India are one of the bedrocks of our bilateral relationship.

Further details on the Maitri Scholars Program can be found at australiaindiacentre.org.au. Australian universities can submit grant applications until 1 January 2024.

Quote attributable to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong:

“The Maitri program will deepen scientific and research collaboration between Australia and India.

“In supporting India's brightest minds in STEM research, the Maitri Scholarships set the foundations for life-long connections for Australian and Indian leaders in new and emerging technology.”

Quote attributable to the Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“The launch of the Maitri scholarships is a key outcome of today's meeting of the Australia India Education and Skills Council which was hosted by my Indian counterpart the Hon Dharmendra Pradhan in Gandhinagar.

“The program will strengthen our education partnership with India by giving some of its brightest young researchers the opportunity to study at our world class universities.”

Quote attributable to Centre for Australia-India Relations CEO, Tim Thomas:

“The Maitri Scholars program reinforces Australia's credentials as a provider of quality education and will help to catalyse professional development, links with industry and research commercialisation.”