Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. The India RISE Fellowship follows a two-step process for identifying candidates. First, we reach out to eligible institutions and invite them to circulate an Expression of Interest (EOI) form among early-career women researchers in STEMM. Interested candidates must complete this brief form to indicate their interest. Following a review of EOIs, shortlisted candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be contacted and invited to complete a detailed application via the InfoReady platform, including submission of supporting documents and references.
Direct applications will not be accepted. However, if you believe you meet the criteria and are affiliated with an eligible Indian institution, you may write to us at [email protected] to request the Expression of Interest form.
It is a 12-month, part-time flexible education program with both online self-paced learning and instructor-led training workshops. The unique feature of our program is a Project-Based Learning approach with a self-designed research project to develop throughout with expert mentorship and support. The current cohort is expected to run from January 2026 to February 2027.
Fellows should expect to spend approximately 3-4 hours per week with planned dedicated time for the fellowship curriculum and mentorship sessions, with flexibility depending on your participation in the optional activities within the curriculum and the scope and stages of your research project. (For example, fellows should expect to spend more time in the final module of the fellowship preparing for their final capstone paper and research presentation submissions.) Additionally, fellows will self-direct their level of engagement with their technical Research Advisors to ensure progress on their research projects.
The fellowship offers a triad mentorship model:
- Technical Research Advisor: You identify this mentor at your home institution to support you with developing your chosen research topic.
- India RISE Program Mentors: Assigned by the India RISE program team for personalized leadership and career support and general research guidance.
- Peer Mentoring: Structured learning and collaboration opportunities with other fellows.
Fellows who complete all requirements earn a Johns Hopkins University Microcredential—a certification of competency and digital badge validating their skills and expertise to employers and stakeholders.
The Research Project Abstract (250 words max) requests applicants provide a concise summary of your proposed research and Capstone Project. Your abstract should:
- Clearly state the central research question or hypothesis.
- Describe the significance and innovation of the project, including how it contributes to your field.
- Summarize your proposed methodology and how the project will be carried out during the fellowship period.
- Indicate whether this is a new project or an extension of existing work.
- Explain how the project aligns with the expertise of your self-selected Research Advisor and how you will collaborate with them.
- Briefly describe how your research will inform or be integrated into your Capstone Project.
As the foundation for the scaffolded Project-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum, the India RISE Capstone Project is designed to demonstrate mastery of the research process and contribute original insights to a STEMM field relevant to India’s research & development priorities.
Please refer to the India RISE Capstone Project Guide for more information.
Your Research Advisor must be a faculty member or senior researcher based at your institution (or an approved India RISE partner organization) with relevant expertise in your proposed research domain. They should be available to support your project throughout the 12-month fellowship for your Capstone Project, offer guidance on methodology, and provide a letter of endorsement to support in this role. Ideally, this is someone with whom you have an existing professional relationship.
The fellowship curriculum is thoughtfully designed to take fellows through each stage of the research lifecycle. Fellows work on a self-selected research project in the STEMM health/medicine domain. Technical guidance comes from your Research Advisor, while India RISE Program Mentors and expert-led training workshops support broader project development and individualized career development goals.
Please refer to the India RISE Capstone Project Guide for more information.
Eligible institutions in India are selected based on the NIRF research rankings, regional variety, and strength in STEMM domains.
The fellowship is designed to be part-time and flexible. On average, fellows are expected to commit 3-4 hours per week, including self-paced coursework, mentorship sessions, and collaborative activities. There will be occasional intensive weeks (e.g. for workshops or in-person convenings and in the final module in preparation for final research paper submission and capstone presentations), but overall, the program accommodates varying schedules and institutional workloads.
You are expected to design and initiate a Capstone research project during the fellowship. While completion is encouraged, we understand that timelines for academic research vary. The emphasis is on building capacity to conduct meaningful research, receive feedback, and demonstrate a clear trajectory and methodology for impact, even if the full project extends beyond the fellowship period.
Fellows are expected to attend a majority of the live mentorship and leadership development sessions, which are core to the learning experience. Absences are permitted in exceptional circumstances, but regular participation is strongly encouraged to benefit from the cohort model and peer-to-peer learning.
- Research Advisor: Yes. You are required to identify a technical Research Advisor at your home institution to guide your Capstone project.
- Program Mentor: No. These are assigned by the India RISE team based on your discipline, goals, and experience to ensure alignment across the cohort.
The 2025 India RISE Fellowship is operating on an invitation-only basis. We are reaching out to eligible institutions and inviting early-career women researchers in STEMM to submit a brief Expression of Interest (EOI). If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to fill out the EOI form linked in the announcement shared by your institution.
If you haven’t seen the EOI circulated yet, you can:
- Check with your department or research office to see if they’ve received the announcement.
- Reach out to us at [email protected]with your name, institution, and contact information. We will confirm whether your institution is on our outreach list or share next steps.
Shortlisted candidates from the EOI stage will be invited to complete a full application via our online portal. We are not accepting unsolicited direct applications at this stage, but we are committed to expanding institutional access in future program cycles.
No, the fellowship does not provide a stipend. However, fellows receive access to high-value training, mentorship, in-person events, and are eligible to apply for a competitive Breakthrough Grant of up to $50,000 USD.
Yes. The fellowship recognizes the importance of flexible academic trajectories and encourages applications from candidates with non-linear career paths. The <7 years of work experience criterion allows for career breaks.
No. Participation in the fellowship is fully funded, including travel and accommodation for in-person convenings. Fellows are responsible only for ensuring availability to participate fully in all activities.
Yes, provided you can manage the time commitment required by India RISE and there is no conflict with existing obligations. You must confirm institutional approval to participate.
Yes. Fellows will be supported in identifying publication opportunities, submitting to journals, presenting at conferences, and sharing their research through the India RISE blog, microsite, and social media.
Yes, as long as your institution is government-recognized and included in the India RISE list of eligible institutions.
Fellows join the India RISE Alumni Network on LinkedIn. They continue to receive communications, opportunities for collaboration and additional professional development, and visibility for their ongoing work. Select alums may also be invited to mentor future fellows. Fellows will also maintain “read-only” access to the JHU/GKII online learning management system to review curricular content and professional development resources.
Fellows are expected to attend two in-person events in India that are scheduled at the beginning and conclusion of the fellowship. Travel and accommodation support will be provided for these two key events. In exceptional circumstances, virtual participation may be considered for in-person events but is discouraged. All other required training workshops part of the India RISE Fellowship curriculum and optional professional development opportunities offered by partners will be virtual to maintain flexibility for accessibility and flexibility in scheduling.
We do not accept application materials by email. Please complete your application by the stated deadline and include all materials through the JHU InfoReady portal for consideration.
No. Due to the volume of applicants, the selection committee cannot provide individual feedback during the application process. However, selected fellows will receive support to refine and develop their Capstone project once the program begins.
Interdisciplinary projects are welcome, as long as they demonstrate relevance to human health or medicine in India. This can include public health, digital health, AI and healthcare, bioethics, environmental health, and related domains.
No. The Capstone project must be an independent research effort led solely by the fellow. While you may seek informal guidance or feedback from colleagues, the design, execution, and output of the project for the educational aspects of the fellowship curriculum and deliverables should be entirely your own work. Collaborative or co-authored projects are not typically not eligible. Please contact the GKII Program Team at [email protected] with any questions or to request an exception for individual circumstances.
No. Prior work experience in STEMM is not required to be eligible for the India RISE Fellowship. However, you must meet the academic qualifications outlined in our eligibility criteria, such as holding a PhD or a postgraduate professional degree (e.g., MTech, MD, MS, DNB, or equivalent).
Your research interest, as demonstrated in your submitted research proposal, must clearly fall within the fields of STEMM health and medicine..