The India and United States have committed to advancing technology for social good by announcing joint research grants totaling over $2 million. These grants will focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies, supporting projects that tackle societal challenges, including cancer detection and breakthroughs in quantum computing.
Collaborative Tech Initiatives for Social Impact
This announcement was made during an event hosted by US Ambassador Eric Garcetti and Seth Center, Acting Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technologies. Indian Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, along with other officials, also attended the event. According to a statement from the US Embassy, the grants will support 17 research projects—11 centered on AI and 6 on quantum technologies. Each project will receive close to $120,000.
These initiatives are part of the broader US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), aiming to harness technology to address key societal concerns such as AI-assisted cancer detection.
Additional Support for Advanced Materials Research
In addition to the AI and quantum technology grants, a new $1 million US-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF) grant was also announced. This grant will back research on advanced materials and critical minerals, further deepening cooperation between researchers in the US and India across various sectors, including universities and national labs.
Focus on Technology for a Brighter Future
US Ambassador Eric Garcetti took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his enthusiasm, writing, “I was honored to join Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Dr Seth Center, Acting Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, to celebrate US and Indian innovators working at the cutting edge of AI and quantum technology!” He emphasized that this collaboration is key to developing and commercializing emerging technologies, which will contribute to a better future.
I was honored to join Minister @DrJitendraSingh and Dr. Seth Center, Acting Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, to celebrate U.S. and Indian innovators working at the cutting edge of #AI and #quantum technology! The #USIndia Science & Technology Endowment Fund is… pic.twitter.com/bbdJMy8qbm
— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) October 11, 2024
Garcetti added, “India and the US share a vision of technology that can connect and protect people, serving as a force for good. The endowment fund is uniting innovators from both nations.”
Promoting Ethical Development of Emerging Technologies
Seth Center praised the collaboration, noting, “Partnership between the United States and India is crucial to shaping the future of these emerging technologies.” He highlighted the need for innovation that respects human rights, supports fundamental freedoms, and contributes to global sustainable development.
The announcement marks another step in the broader cooperation between the two nations under the iCET framework, with recent milestones such as the second Quantum Coordination Mechanism meeting in Washington and ongoing research under the US National Science Foundation.
