Nominations close mid-May 2026  ·  40 School Nominations  ·  No participation fee
By Nomination · Inaugural Chapter · India 2026

RIT Global Scholar Quest

A First-of-its-Kind Innovation Talent Hunt for India's Top Student Minds

An invite-only national initiative by Rochester Institute of Technology, New York (RIT), USA. Designed to identify and elevate high-potential student innovators through a structured, multi-stage academic journey. India is the inaugural chapter of a worldwide program, with 40 IB and Cambridge school nominations to begin.

Scholarship USD 50,000*
Opportunity Global Innovation Exposure
Chance Co-op at RIT*
Nominate Your School

40 IB/Cambridge school spots across India  ·  By nomination only  ·  No participation fee

Execution supported by Edufund

An Official Initiative by Rochester Institute of Technology
RIT Tiger — Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester Institute of Technology
Program Overview

Nominate Your Students for India's Most Prestigious School Innovation Stage.

Rochester Institute of Technology, New York's Global Scholar Quest is a global competition. India is where it begins. 40 IB and Cambridge schools are being nominated to participate in the inaugural chapter of a program designed to travel the world.

This is not a quiz or a debate league. It is a rigorous, judgment-based innovation challenge: the only program of its kind in India, built around the academic standards of one of America's most respected technology universities.

RIT-Based Jury Innovation Expert Mentors Direct Cultural Immersion Global Program · India Debut
Students at an innovation event
Program Timeline

Four Stages. Increasingly Selective.

From school nomination to the national Grand Finale, with innovation expert mentors alongside your students at every step.

01
By mid-May 2026
School Nomination
School nominates 15–40 students (Grades 11–12). Top 10 form teams of 2–3.
02
May–Jun 2026
National Evaluation
Teams submit a concept note and video pitch. Reviewed by RIT's expert panel.
03
Jun–Jul 2026
Mentorship Program
4–6 weeks with innovation expert mentors: workshops, mock pitches, team feedback.
04
Aug 2026 · BKC Mumbai
Grand Finale
Top 20–25 teams pitch live. Grand Finale. National press coverage.
Participation Snapshot

A Highly Selective National Academic Cohort

40
IB/Cambridge School Spots
By nomination only
20–40
Students Per School
Nominated by institution
Top 10
Students Shortlisted Per School
After national screening
3
Winners
Grand Finale · BKC Mumbai
Who Benefits

Built for Students.
Designed for Schools.

Named a GSQ Scholar

Officially recognised by Rochester Institute of Technology. A credential that travels through every college application and interview that follows.

Co-op at RIT — A Real Chance*

The opportunity to do a co-op at RIT's campus in Rochester, New York. Working in labs, engaging with faculty, and seeing one of America's top universities from the inside.*

US University Networking

Direct engagement with RIT alumni, faculty, and industry mentors. Building a US academic network before most peers have even chosen a college.

Cultural Integration

Immersed in the academic culture, collaborative style, and innovation standards of a leading US university. Shaping how students think, not just what they know.

Part of a Global Cohort

India is GSQ's inaugural chapter. By competing now, students are part of the first global cohort. An advantage no future participant will ever be able to claim.

Innovation Expert Mentorship

4–6 weeks of structured mentorship from dedicated innovation experts: live workshops, mock pitches, and direct feedback. Budget allocated. Real mentors.

GSQ Nominated School Status

Formal association with a global academic competition platform built on innovation, merit, and selective access. On the record, from the very first edition.

Access to Innovation Mentors

Students and counsellors engage with dedicated innovation experts and RIT-connected faculty: the academic culture and standards behind a Top US university, brought to your students.

Generational Access

Founding schools receive first-call consideration as GSQ expands globally. Shape this platform from its debut and keep a seat at the table as it grows.

National Spotlight

The Grand Finale draws national media coverage in Mumbai. Your school is part of a stage that very few Indian institutions will ever stand on in 2026.

Structured Workshops, No Cost

Students receive 4–6 weeks of structured workshops on problem-solving, pitching, and innovation. Budget allocated to mentors. Zero cost to the school.

A Real College Pathway

A merit-led pathway tied to scholarship opportunity and RIT outcomes. A credential parents and students can point to in every application they write.

USD
50,000*
Total Scholarship Pool

Scholarships on Offer. Prizes Worth Competing For.

A total scholarship pool of USD 50,000* is available across the program, not limited to one winning team. Top performers also win premium prizes: a MacBook Air, an iPad Air, and Bose Headphones. A credential from RIT. And an experience in Mumbai that most students only read about.

*Terms and conditions apply. Scholarship awards are at the sole discretion of Rochester Institute of Technology. Any scholarship is contingent upon the recipient's successful application to, and enrollment at, RIT. Individual amounts may vary.

MacBook Air
Gold
MacBook Air
iPad Air
Silver
iPad Air
Bose Headphones
Bronze
Bose Headphones
School Nominations Now Open

School Nominations Are Now Open.

40 schools. Rolling basis. Spots are confirmed as nominations come in.

Nominate Your School
Program Details

Everything You Need to Know

Selection is judgment-based, not marks-based. Schools nominate 15 to 40 students from Grades 11 and 12. The top 10 students per school are selected and form teams of 2 to 3. Those teams compete at the national evaluation round. Top 20 to 25 teams advance to the Grand Finale in Mumbai.

  • Stage 1: School nominates 15–40 students (Grades 11–12)
  • Stage 2: Top 10 students selected, form teams of 2–3 per school
  • Stage 3: National evaluation: concept note and video pitch reviewed by RIT's expert panel, 20 finalist teams shortlisted
  • Stage 4: Mentorship program: 4–6 weeks with innovation expert mentors for the finalists
  • Stage 5: Grand Finale, Mumbai: top 20–25 teams pitch live to the jury
  • By mid-May 2026: School nominations confirmed. Student nominations submitted.
  • May–Jun 2026: School screening. Top 10 students form teams of 2–3 per school.
  • Jun 2026: National evaluation. Concept notes and video pitches reviewed by RIT's expert panel.
  • Jun–Jul 2026: Mentorship program. 4–6 weeks with innovation expert mentors: workshops and mock pitches.
  • Aug 2026 · BKC Mumbai: Grand Finale. Top 20–25 teams pitch live. Scholarships and prizes announced.

Prizes for winners, and recognition for every finalist. The GSQ is designed to celebrate exceptional performance at every level.

  • Scholarship: USD 50,000* total pool, awarded at RIT's sole discretion based on merit. Contingent on successful application to and enrollment at RIT.
  • Gold Prize: MacBook Air
  • Silver Prize: iPad Air
  • Bronze Prize: Bose Headphones
  • Special prize pool: ₹2 lakh across special categories
  • All finalists: GSQ merch, goodies, and finalist recognition
  • Finalist certificates: All finalist students receive a certificate of participation
  • School certificates: Participating schools receive institutional recognition certificates from RIT
  • GSQ Scholar title: Named by Rochester Institute of Technology. A credential that travels with a student for life.
  • School recognition: Institutional excellence certificate from RIT for top-performing partner schools

*Terms and conditions apply. All scholarship decisions are at the sole discretion of Rochester Institute of Technology, based on individual merit evaluation. Scholarships are contingent upon successful application to and enrollment at RIT.

  • Grades 11 and 12 only
  • Officially school-nominated. No self-nominations.
  • IB or Cambridge schools. 40 spots nationally.
  • No minimum marks cutoff. Judgment-based selection focused on innovation mindset and problem-solving.

For students: Named a GSQ Scholar by one of the world's most respected technology universities. Innovation expert mentorship, US university networking, cultural integration with RIT's academic standards, and a credential on the record before any college application is filed. All finalists receive a certificate of participation. Plus real prizes and the co-op opportunity at RIT.*

For schools: GSQ Nominated School status, national media visibility at the Grand Finale, access to innovation expert mentors, generational access as a founding institution, and a formal institutional recognition certificate from Rochester Institute of Technology, New York.

For parents: A rigorous, merit-led program with no cost to the family. A genuine outcome tied to scholarship opportunity, real prizes, and a direct pathway to one of America's top universities.

Grand Finale · August 2026

A Day at the Heart of Mumbai.

Bandra Kurla Complex — Mumbai's financial and diplomatic hub, home to embassies and Fortune 500 headquarters. Top 20–25 teams pitch live to an RIT-led jury. A national event, in a city that earns that description.

Scholar Leadership Summit RIT address · Innovation panel · Mentor labs · RIT alumni
Grand Jury Finale Live pitches · RIT-led jury · Scholarships and prizes announced
Named GSQ Scholars 3 winners. MacBook Air, iPad Air, Bose + USD 50,000* scholarship pool.
Premium 5-star venue BKC Mumbai
Jury and Mentors

Pitch to RIT's Finest.

Students present directly to a jury of RIT alumni and innovation leaders — people who have built careers at leading technology companies and research institutions globally. The best chance for face time with the people who know what RIT looks for.

RIT Alumni Jury Graduates from RIT's global network evaluate pitches and engage with finalists directly
Innovation Expert Mentors 4–6 weeks of mentorship before students ever reach the jury room

Jury composition is being curated. RIT alumni and industry figures will be confirmed ahead of the Grand Finale.

School Nominations

Nominate Your School for GSQ 2026

Submit your details and our team will reach out within 48 hours. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. First confirmed, first in.

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

Execution supported by Edufund

Nominate Your School

Complete the form below. We'll be in touch within 48 hours.

· Nominations close mid-May 2026, or when 40 schools confirm.
Something went wrong. Please try again or email us at rit.gsq@edufund.in.

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

Nomination Submitted!

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

What Are You Waiting For?

RIT Is On to Something. So Are Your Students.

Give them the stage. Nominations close mid-May 2026.

Nominate Your School