Network for Advanced Study of Technology Geopolitics (NAST) Fellowship
Programme Overview
The Network for Advanced Study of Technology Geopolitics (NAST) aims to build high-quality scholarship in India at the intersection of technology and geopolitics. Discussions around emerging and critical technologies often lack a prudent understanding of how emerging technologies, geoeconomics, and geopolitics interact and can play a pivotal role in shaping India’s national power. The aim is to create a cross-disciplinary community of scholars and a body of knowledge that will inform policy, strategy, economics, technology and society.
NAST Fellows for 2024-2025 Cohort
Focus Areas
NAST fellows will undertake research in one or more of the following areas: advanced telecommunications like 5G/6G, etc; artificial intelligence; open-source technologies; biotechnology and bioeconomy; nuclear technologies; quantum computing; geospatial technologies, space technologies; semiconductors; rare earth; or any other critical and emerging technology domain.
Fellows will have the opportunity to work with mentors, who will be among the leading experts in the field of critical and emerging technologies with expertise in the intersection of geopolitics, geoeconomics and innovation. NAST Fellows will gain invaluable skills in research, critical thinking, analysis, communication etc. through this mentorship opportunity.
Eligibility and Qualifications
NAST invites applications from researchers from any background, including from universities, research institutes, media, government services and industry, who are enthusiastic about undertaking fresh research on the geopolitics of critical and emerging technologies and their impact on India or globally.
Prospective fellows must either be working or studying in India, have at least an undergraduate degree and be proficient in English.
Location and Time Commitment
NAST is a 12-month-long fellowship that is completely online and includes a two-day in-person conference/workshop in Bengaluru. Furthermore, this is not a full-time opportunity, and fellows may continue their ongoing professional activities without disruption.
Deliverables and Awards
The NAST Fellowship offers opportunities for analysts and scholars to work under the co-guidance of foremost experts in international relations, emerging technologies, and governance and work towards a publication in the leading journals and reviews in these fields.
A cash prize of ₹ 1 lakh each will be awarded to the three best papers determined by the jury
Mentors
C Raja Mohan
Senior Fellow with the Asia Society Policy Institute in Delhi; Visiting Research Professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore
Interest Areas: Indian foreign policy; Global geopolitics
Douglas Fuller
Professor in Zhejiang University's School of Management; Author of Paper Tigers, Hidden Dragons: Firms and the Political Economy of China’s Technological Development
Interest Areas: Chinese technology policy; Technology geopolitics
Kailash Nadh
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Zerodha; Founding Director, FOSS United Foundation
Interest Areas: Free and open-source softwares
Rahul Matthan
Partner, Trilegal and heads its Technology, Media and Telecom practice
Interest Areas: Data Protection, Privacy, Digital Public Infrastructure, Cryptocurrency
Lt. Gen. (Retd) Prakash Menon
Director, Strategic Studies Programme at Takshashila; Adjunct Professor, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore.
Interest Areas: Strategic Studies, Nuclear Deterrence, Statecraft
Narayan Ramachandran
Co-Founder, The Takshashila Institution; Ex-Country Head of Morgan Stanley India,
Interest Areas: Technology Geopolitics; Geoeconomics
Pranay Kotasthane
Deputy Director, The Takshashila Institution; Chair, High-Tech Geopolitics Program at Takshashila
Interest Areas: Technology Geopolitics; Semiconductors
Dr Y. Nithiyanandam
Professor; Head, Geospatial Program at the Takshashila Institution.
Interest Areas: Advanced Remote Sensing, GIS Analytics, Urban and Ocean Informatics, and Geo-intelligence
Aditya Ramanathan
Research Fellow, Takshashila Institution; Chair, Advanced Military Technologies Programme at Takshashila
Interest Areas: Technology Geopolitics; Space; Nuclear; Military Technologies
Anirudh Suri
Managing Partner, India Internet Fund; Author of The Great Tech Game: Shaping Geopolitics and the Destinies of Nations.
Interest Areas: Technology Geopolitics, Climate, and Strategic Affairs
Group Captain TH Anand Rao
Senior Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi
Interest Areas: Space Domain; Space Security and Policy
Timeline
The timeline for the NAST Fellowship Pioneer Cohort is as follows:
January 31, 2024 - Call for Proposals
March 10, 2024 – Research proposal submission deadline
April 10, 2024 - Evaluation & notification of selected research proposals
April 15, 2024 – Start of NAST fellowship
June 15, 2024 – Deadline for submission of first draft
August 15, 2024 - Deadline for submission of second draft
October 1, 2024 - Deadline for Pre-Conference Draft
November 22-24, 2024 - In-person academic workshop with mentors and fellows in Bengaluru
December 31, 2024 – Submission of final draft to mentors for feedback
February 15th, 2025 – Submission of final paper to NAST team
March 15th, 2025 - Selection & award of top 3 paper submissions by an independent jury
Contact Us
Please reach out to us for any questions about the fellowship through email at nast@takshashila.org.in