Welcoming Quad Fellows in Japan opens new opportunities for innovation and collaboration in STEM across the Indo-Pacific region
Since its 2023 launch, the Quad Fellowship by IIE has grown into a dynamic network of scholars advancing STEM innovation and fostering collaboration across the United States and Indo-Pacific. Initially conceived as a cooperative effort among the Quad nations—Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—the Fellowship has evolved into a strategic platform for cultivating global talent, driving scientific and technological progress, and strengthening partnerships that advance shared economic and security interests.
Strategic Expansion to Japanese Universities
In 2025, the Fellowship achieved a significant milestone by expanding to include graduate students based in Japan, made possible through a partnership with the Government of Japan. This expansion reflects a shared commitment among Quad nations to invest in education as a cornerstone to support the Indo-Pacific region. The Fellowship’s 2025 expansion to Japan marks a significant step in deepening strategic relationships among Quad nations. By supporting students at Japanese universities, the Quad Fellowship is expanding its reach and opening new pathways for interdisciplinary partnerships. Fellows in this expanded cohort will contribute their expertise in diverse STEM fields, build connections with peers from multiple countries and institutions, and drive collaborative research endeavors that address shared challenges.
The third cohort includes Fellows enrolled at leading universities in Japan and the United States, representing 11 countries and 29 STEM disciplines, including astrophysics, engineering, biotechnology, machine learning, environmental sciences, and quantum theory. As part of the expansion, the 2025 Quad Fellowship cohort also features 12 Fellows enrolled at prestigious universities in Japan alongside 25 Fellows studying at leading U.S. universities. This multidisciplinary group exemplifies the Fellowship’s dedication to building a future-ready workforce equipped to address critical challenges and accelerate innovation for the benefit of all participating countries.
Our Services
IIE partners with governments, universities, and private sector organizations to develop the next generation of global STEM leaders and advance STEM education worldwide through the administration of scholarship and fellowship programs. We build talent pipelines through comprehensive scholarship management services, including outreach and recruitment, selection, academic placement, student advising, and monitoring and evaluation, among other capabilities.
Cornerstone Event: The Quad Fellowship Summit
The annual Quad Fellowship Summit convened virtually in October under the theme, “Amplifying Collaboration for Innovation Across the Indo-Pacific.” This three-day event brought together Fellows from Japan and the U.S. for dialogues with Quad country leaders from government, academia, and industry. Participants noted the closing keynote delivered by Glen S. Fukushima, Visiting Fellow, Stanford University, reporting that his insights set an inspiring tone for their continued engagement and deeper collaborations across the Indo-Pacific. Summit discussions focused on shared priorities and the broader goals of the Quad Diplomatic Network—including maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity, and emerging technologies—underscoring the Fellowship’s role in shaping solutions for the most pressing challenges in the region.
Looking Ahead: Expanding to Other Quad Nations
By supporting emerging STEM leaders, the Fellowship strengthens the knowledge economy of the Quad nations, fosters breakthroughs in STEM, and creates pathways for collaboration that reinforce stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The recent expansion to Japanese universities marks a pivotal step toward building a fully interconnected Quad network. In the coming years, the Fellowship aims to broaden its reach by hosting Fellows in Australia and India, further strengthening its mandate to serve as a bridge between academia, industry, and governments within the Quad framework.
IIE extends its gratitude to the Government of Japan and corporate partners, Google, the Pratt Foundation, and Western Digital, for their invaluable support and contributions to helping expand opportunities for emerging STEM leaders across the Indo-Pacific.
To learn more about the Quad Fellowship and meet the Fellows, please visit our website and follow on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.