How an Alumni-Funded Research Grant at IIT Madras is Driving Global Scientific Partnerships
At the heart of academic innovation lies collaboration, an exchange of knowledge, skills, and ideas that transcends borders and institutions. The Shankari Subramanyam Impact Grant (SSIG), established by Mr. Dilip Subramanyam, alumnus of IIT Madras (B.Tech, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, 1977), exemplifies this spirit. Instituted in loving memory of his mother, the grant is making a quiet but powerful mark on the research landscape of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (MME) at IIT Madras.
SSIG is more than a research grant, it is a catalyst for global academic exchange. Designed to support collaborative research across international frontiers, the grant is now helping faculty members and students in the MME department at IIT Madras forge meaningful scientific connections, elevate the department’s profile, and strengthen research ecosystems that span from Chennai to Urbana-Champaign (USA) to Melbourne (Australia).
Global Voices on Indian Soil: Prof. Jean-Charles Stinville’s Visit
The inaugural recipient of the Shankari Subramanyam Impact Fellowship was Prof. Jean-Charles Stinville, from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), USA. His visit to IIT Madras in May 2025 was a landmark event, showcasing the possibilities enabled by this fellowship.
Prof. Stinville’s two-week engagement featured an intensive series of lectures, student interactions, and lab visits. An interesting highlight of his visit was a two-day symposium on “Deformation and Failure in Metals,” which drew young academic minds from IITs across India — Bombay, Delhi, Indore, Roorkee, BHU, and Madras, as well as industrial and research bodies such as Tata Steel, BHEL, IGCAR, and BARC.
Additionally, the “Workshop on Characterizing Plasticity in Deformed Metals” became a vibrant space of learning, attracting 35 graduate students and researchers from across India. These engagements extended beyond the classroom. Undergraduate students benefited from informal discussions with Prof. Stinville, gaining insight into pursuing graduate programs abroad, particularly at UIUC. His lab visits and in-depth discussions with MME faculty sparked new avenues for collaborative research, laying the groundwork for long-term academic partnerships.
Taking Indian Research Global: Dr. Bhuvanesh Srinivasan’s Visit to Australia
While SSIG brings international expertise to IIT Madras, it also enables our faculty to explore global collaborations. Dr. Bhuvanesh Srinivasan, Assistant Professor in the MME department, embarked on a research-intensive academic visit to Australia in May 2025, funded by the SSIG Travel Grant.
The visit was more than a professional tour; it was a focused mission to strengthen collaborative research, especially within the IITM-Deakin Joint Doctoral Program. Dr. Srinivasan interacted with eminent researchers across premier institutions, including Deakin University, CSIRO Energy, Queensland University of Technology, and University of Wollongong.
Of particular note was the effort to define research plans for a joint Ph.D. project centered around thermoelectric materials for waste heat recovery, a field of rising importance in sustainable energy. Conversations with scientists such as Prof. Matthew Barnett, Dr. Nawshad Haque, and Prof. Huijun Li opened doors to new synergies between Indian and Australian research teams. These connections are instrumental in not just academic growth but also in addressing pressing global challenges through joint innovation.
A Grant that Makes a Difference
The Shankari Subramanyam Impact Grant is living up to its name — creating impact through intellectual exchange, sparking research dialogue, and empowering both Indian and global researchers. It’s a prime example of how thoughtful alumni engagement can elevate an academic institution’s reach and capability.
In just its initial steps, the SSIG has brought the world to IIT Madras and vice versa. As more researchers and students benefit from this initiative, it stands as a testament to what vision, generosity, and academic commitment can accomplish together.
The seeds sown by Mr. Dilip Subramanyam, in memory of his mother, are already bearing fruit, in the form of stronger research networks, enriched learning environments, and a globally connected future for IIT Madras.
Ways in which Alumni can Fuel Research and Innovation at IIT Madras
The “Shankari Subramanyam Impact Grant” is a shining example of how alumni contributions can create meaningful, long-term impact in research and academia. Alumni of IIT Madras have several avenues to support similar initiatives that foster innovation and elevate the Institute’s global research presence.
One of the most powerful ways to do this is by endowing Research Grants or Chair Professorships. These funds enable faculty members to pursue cutting-edge research, collaborate internationally, and mentor the next generation of scholars. Chair Professorships also help IIT Madras attract and retain top academic talent, while research grants can be tailored to support strategic focus areas, from materials science to AI, energy, sustainability, and more.
To explore ways to give back to IIT Madras, click here.
