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The fellowship, initiated by the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University, has launched its first cohort at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
The initial cohort includes 41 women scientists from 16 States and UTs.
Amid concerns of talented women scientists leaving India’s research sector, the India RISE (Research & Innovation STEMM Empowerment) Fellowship seeks to change this trend. The fellowship, initiated by the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University, has launched its first cohort at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). This programme unites academic leaders, policymakers, industry partners, and early-career women scientists from across India.
Created under the U.S.–India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, the year-long, part-time fellowship tackles gender gaps in India’s research and innovation fields. It supports women scientists at a pivotal career stage when many face systemic obstacles and a higher risk of leaving the STEMM workforce.
The initial cohort includes 41 women scientists from 16 States and Union Territories, representing 30 top research and academic institutions like IISc, several IITs, AIIMS campuses, ICMR institutes, and major public universities. These fellows work in critical research areas including non-communicable diseases, public health, infectious diseases, maternal and child health, digital health and medical devices, AI and statistics, and medical diagnostics. Most fellows have advanced degrees, with 61 per cent holding PhDs. Notably, 88 percent earned their highest degree in 2019 or later, underscoring the programme’s focus on early-career researchers ready for future leadership.
The IISc launch featured keynote speeches, special remarks, leadership training, and workshops, as well as a fireside chat on institutional change. The three-day event also included leadership workshops, mentorship orientations, and site visits hosted by Siemens Healthineers and Becton Dickinson Technology Campus, highlighting the links between academic research, public health impact, and industry innovation. Workshops on research, leadership, and mentorship were conducted by experts throughout the event.
Prominent speakers included Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization and former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR); Dr Uma Nambiar, CEO of Bagchi-Parthasarathy Hospital at IISc Bangalore; Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF); and Dr Usha Vijayraghavan, Dean of the Biological Sciences Division at IISc Bangalore.
January 20, 2026, 19:13 IST
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