40 school spots · India inaugural chapter Nominate Now →
40 school spots  ·  India inaugural chapter  ·  No participation fee
By Nomination Only  ·  Inaugural Chapter  ·  India 2026

RITGlobalScholarQuest

A global innovation program by Rochester Institute of Technology to discover the next generation of exceptional problem-solvers. Students compete through structured evaluation and mentorship, conceptualizing solutions to the problems of tomorrow by innovating today.

0
School spots
$50,000*
Scholarship pool
Aug 2026
Grand Finale · Mumbai
Nominate Your School → See How It Works
IB & Cambridge schools only
No participation fee
By school nomination only
India inaugural chapter
40 school spots nationwide
$50,000 scholarship pool
Grand Finale · BKC Mumbai · Aug 2026
IB & Cambridge schools only
No participation fee
By school nomination only
India inaugural chapter
40 school spots nationwide
$50,000 scholarship pool
Grand Finale · BKC Mumbai · Aug 2026
The GSQ Journey

Four Levels.
Increasingly Selective.

A curated pathway from nomination to the national finale, designed for India's premier IB and Cambridge institutions.

LEVEL 01
Online Screening
Mid-May – Late June
Schools nominate 15–40 students. A 60-minute online innovation questionnaire screens for problem-solving and innovation mindset. Top 10 per school advance.
LEVEL 02
Innovation Evaluation
Late June – Mid July
Teams of 2–3 choose from 10 innovation tracks. Submit an ~800-word concept note and a 3-minute video pitch. 20–25 finalist teams selected.
LEVEL 03
Innovation Mentorship
Mid July – Mid August
2–4 inquiry-based sessions led by Dr. M.A. Rehman (TIFR) and innovation track specialists. Practical, not theoretical.
LEVEL 04
Grand Finale
24 August 2026 · BKC Mumbai
Live innovation showcase in Mumbai. National jury. Scholarships, prizes, and the GSQ Scholar distinction. 3 national winners.
Who Benefits

Designed for Forward-Thinking Institutions.
Built for Future Innovators.

GSQ Scholar Certification

A global credential issued by RIT, New York. Recognised by universities worldwide and stands out in every college application.

Priority Consideration for RIT*

Fast-track review for GSQ Scholars applying to Rochester Institute of Technology. A direct pathway to a top US university.*

Access to Future RIT Workshops

GSQ Scholars get early access to RIT events, workshops, and programmes — before most students have even chosen a college.

Mentorship from Real Practitioners

2–4 sessions with Dr. M.A. Rehman (TIFR) and domain specialists. Inquiry-based, practical, and genuinely useful.

Part of the Inaugural Cohort

India is the inaugural chapter of a global programme. Being a founding student is an advantage that compounds over time.

Invite to the RIT GSQ Finale

Top teams present live in Mumbai in front of RIT leadership, national press, and prominent industry figures.

GSQ Nominated School Status

Formal association with a global academic competition by Rochester Institute of Technology, New York.

Zero Cost. Zero Workload.

No evaluation burden, no training cycles, no continuous commitments. Fully managed by the GSQ team.

National Media Visibility

The Grand Finale draws national press coverage. Your school on a stage very few institutions stand on.

Founding School Access

India is the inaugural chapter. Founding schools receive first-call priority as GSQ expands globally.

Counselling Support from RIT

RIT recommends UG programs to your Grade 11–12 students. A direct pathway to a top US university.

Innovation Expert Access

Students engage with Dr. M.A. Rehman (TIFR) and innovation specialists at zero cost to the school.

School Nominations Now Open

40 Schools. Limited Nominations.

Spots are filling. First confirmed, first in.

Reserve Your School's Spot →
Prizes & Scholarship

The GSQ Prize Package.

$50,000* in scholarships. Premium devices. A lifetime credential from one of America's best technology universities.

For the winning team*
$50,000*
RIT Scholarships Disbursement Pool
Cash Prize
₹1,00,000
Awarded to the winning team
For star performers
MacBook iPad Bose
MacBook Air
iPad Air
Bose Headphones
All GSQ scholars
  • GSQ Scholar certification — a global credential
  • Access to future RIT workshops
  • Priority (fast-track) consideration for RIT applications
  • Invite to attend the RIT GSQ Finale
Unlock World-Class Guidance

Mentors Who've
Been There.

Scientists, startup leaders, and innovation practitioners. Access to direct mentorship from leaders who've spent careers solving real problems.

RD
Ragini Das
Ragini Das
Head of Google for Startups, India · Co-Founder, Leap.club
Leads Google's flagship startup accelerator programme in India. Co-founder of Leap.club and former Zomato executive. Chairs the Women in Startups Committee at FICCI.
DS
Dhruv Sharma
Dhruv Sharma
CEO, AngelList India
CEO of AngelList India, India's most trusted platform for deploying private capital into venture-backed companies. Brings firsthand knowledge of what separates fundable ideas from great ones.
Bringing the RIT way of learning to India

One Day. One Stage.
Mumbai.

A full-day innovation summit in Mumbai featuring RIT academic leadership, prominent industry leaders, and representatives from the US Embassy. Finalist teams will present live prototypes or share their ideas as a culmination of the program.

RIT Academic LeadershipRIT address · US Embassy representatives
Live Finalist PresentationsLive prototypes · RIT-led jury · Prizes announced
GSQ Scholar DistinctionScholarships, prizes, and a lifetime RIT credential
Sofitel Mumbai BKC · Grand Finale Venue
Jury & RIT Leadership

The RIT Leadership
You'll Meet in Mumbai.

Students pitch directly to RIT leadership. People who have spent careers at the world's best technology universities and know exactly what potential looks like.

KD
Kathleen B. Davis
Kathleen B. Davis
VP, Enrollment Management & Associate Provost · RIT
Built record-setting classes and expanded global enrollment at RIT. A career defined by finding exceptional students.
ES
Elizabeth Sullivan
Elizabeth Sullivan
Associate VP, Enrollment Marketing & Global Strategic Initiatives · RIT
Leads enrollment marketing and global partnerships at RIT. 30-year career across Northeastern, Saint Louis University, and more.
DK
Dan Kopperud, EdD
Dan Kopperud, EdD
Assistant Director, Global Enrollment Management · RIT
Global enrollment strategist at RIT. Nearly a decade of international experience, including five years at SolBridge International School of Business.
Questions

Everything You
Need to Know.

Judgment-based, not marks-based. Schools nominate 15 to 40 students in Grades 11 and 12. The top 10 form teams of 2 to 3 and advance to national evaluation.

  • Stage 1: School nominates 15 to 40 students
  • Stage 2: Top 10 selected, form teams of 2 to 3
  • Stage 3: National evaluation. Concept note and video pitch reviewed by RIT
  • Stage 4: Mentorship. 2 to 3 weeks with innovation experts
  • Stage 5: Grand Finale in Mumbai. Top 20 to 25 teams pitch live
  • Grades 11 and 12 only
  • School-nominated only. Students cannot apply directly
  • IB or Cambridge schools. 40 spots nationally
  • No marks cutoff. Judgment-based, focused on innovation mindset
  • Scholarship: $50,000* total pool, at RIT's discretion
  • Gold: MacBook Air · Silver: iPad Air · Bronze: Bose Headphones
  • Special prizes: ₹2 lakh across special categories
  • All finalists: GSQ merch and finalist recognition
  • Certificates: RIT-issued for all participants and schools

*Contingent upon enrollment at RIT. Decisions at RIT's sole discretion.

No one at your school. GSQ is entirely free to participate in. There is no registration fee, no program fee, and no cost to students or the school at any stage. The program is fully funded.

Minimal. Your school nominates the students. A dedicated GSQ coordinator handles all communication, logistics, and student coordination from there.

Yes. The inaugural India chapter is limited to IB and Cambridge (IGCSE/A-Level) schools. This keeps the program aligned with international curriculum standards and the students best prepared for it.

The program is flexible. Even if fewer qualify nationally, all nominated students receive mentor access, program resources, and a GSQ participation credential from RIT.

School Nominations

Save your spot for RIT GSQ 2026.

Fill in your details and we'll reach out within 48 hours. Spots are limited. First confirmed, first in.

Official RIT program participation status
Dedicated GSQ coordinator for your school
Priority access to all GSQ resources and mentors
No participation fee. Zero cost to your school.

India inaugural chapter · 2026

Nominate Your School

· Only 40 school spots available nationwide. Filling on a rolling basis.
Something went wrong. Please try again or email rit.gsq@edufund.in

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by the GSQ program team. No commitment required.

Nomination Submitted!

Thank you. Our team will reach out within 48 hours to confirm your school's spot.

RIT Global Scholar Quest 2026

See you at
RIT GSQ 2026.

40 school spots. No cost. One stage in Mumbai.

Save Your School's Spot →