Research Scholar Upasna Mishra Wins Prestigious SYLFF Fellowship.

In a significant academic recognition, research scholar Upasna Mishra has been awarded the prestigious Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) Award to pursue her doctoral studies. The fellowship will provide crucial support to her research work focusing on the geo-economics and geo-strategy of rare earth elements, a subject of immense global importance in the evolving strategic and economic order.

The SYLFF program, established by the Nippon Foundation in 1987, supports outstanding graduate students in the social sciences and humanities at 69 universities and consortia in 44 countries. It is regarded as one of the most respected international fellowship schemes, nurturing young leaders with a global outlook and commitment to addressing critical contemporary challenges.

Upasna’s research examines the strategic dimensions of rare earth elements, which are vital for advanced technologies including electronics, renewable energy, defense systems, and critical infrastructure. Her work seeks to analyze the geo-political and economic competition surrounding these resources, an issue increasingly shaping international relations.

Her scholarship has already gained international traction. She has presented papers at several global academic forums, most recently at the International Political Science Association (IPSA) World Congress in Seoul, where her research was well received.

Speaking on her achievement, her guide and mentor expressed delight, stating: “This recognition is a testament to Upasna’s commitment, intellectual rigor, and ability to engage with issues of global significance. Her work on rare earth elements is both timely and impactful.”

The award not only acknowledges Upasna’s individual excellence but also highlights the growing importance of research in critical resource studies, where economics, security, and technology intersect.

With the support of the SYLFF fellowship, Upasna Mishra is poised to contribute significantly to academic and policy debates on the future of rare earth elements and their role in shaping geo-economic strategies worldwide.