The India RISE (Research & Innovation STEMM Empowerment) Fellowship, a flagship initiative of the Gupta‑Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University, launched its inaugural cohort of 41 women scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
The inaugural cohort comprises 41 women scientists from 16 States and Union Territories, representing 30 premier research and academic institutions, including IISc, multiple IITs, AIIMS campuses, ICMR institutes, and leading public universities.
Year-long programme
Conceptualised under the U.S.–India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, the India RISE Fellowship is a year-long, part-time programme designed to address persistent gender gaps in India’s research and innovation ecosystem. The fellowship supports women scientists at a critical career stage when many face structural barriers and heightened risk of exiting the STEMM workforce.
“Women are often expected to make disproportionate personal sacrifices, but a fulfilling career in STEMM and a meaningful personal life need not be mutually exclusive”Dr. Soumya SwaminathanFormer Chief Scientist at WHO and former Director General of ICMR
The fellows work across high-impact 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 hold doctoral or medical terminal degrees, with 61% holding PhDs.
Early-career support critical
The launch at IISc featured keynote and special remarks, leadership training and workshops, along with a fireside chat on institutional change. 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, Bagchi-Parthasarathy Hospital at IISc Bangalore; Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Chief Executive Officer, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF); Dr. Usha Vijayraghavan, Dean, Biological Sciences Division, IISc Bangalore.
“Early-career support is critical, as it is when mentorship and peer learning have the greatest impact. Women are often expected to make disproportionate personal sacrifices, but a fulfilling career in STEMM and a meaningful personal life need not be mutually exclusive. With the right support systems, women can grow into leadership while sustaining both,” said Ms. Swaminathan.
