On Tuesday, Quad STEM fellows gathered at the White House for an event to welcome a successful first year of the fellowship and mark the launch of applications for the second class of Quad Fellows. The first-of-its-kind fellowship was launched by Quad Leaders to bring together exceptional masters and doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to study in the United States.

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer gave keynote remarks, and other senior administration officials addressed the group of fellows, in addition to senior representatives from the embassies of Quad countries and supporters of the program. During the event, they discussed the Quad and geopolitical landscape; the Administration’s tech agenda for the Indo-Pacific; and the importance of public service.

The International Institute for Education (IIE), a global non-profit with decades-long experience managing international fellowship programs including the U.S. Department of State Fulbright program, is serving as the new implementing partner of the Quad Fellowship program. Today, IIE announced an expansion of eligibility for the Fellowship to include students from ASEAN countries, further demonstrating the Quad’s commitment to deliver concrete benefits for the Indo-Pacific region.

Launched at the Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2021, the Quad Fellowship provides a scholarship to STEM graduate students from Quad countries studying in the U.S. and remains a priority for the Quad leaders as we grow our ties among our next generation of innovators.