India RISE Fellowship
Women scientists leading India’s Research & Innovation STEMM Empowerment (RISE)
India RISE Fellowship (Research & Innovation STEMM Empowerment) is a 12-month program that equips the next generation of women leaders in science with advanced research training, dedicated mentorship, and leadership development opportunities. Conceptualized under the aegis of the U.S.-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, and backed by Johns Hopkins University’s Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII) in collaboration with leading Indian institutions, India RISE addresses the critical “leaky pipeline” in STEMM by supporting women at a career stage when many risk leaving the scientific workforce.
Our Mission: To empower 40 outstanding early-career Indian women scientists each year to excel in research, inspire leadership in STEMM fields, and catalyze a supportive peer network. Fellows remain in their institutional roles while engaging in a part-time, immersive curriculum that spans research skill-building, leadership masterclasses, and personalized mentorship.
Why India RISE
India has made strong strides in STEMM education, with women now comprising 43% of enrollments (DST 2024). Yet this progress fades in the workforce as women make up just 27% of the STEMM sector and under 19% of scientists in India, well below the global average of 31% (UNESCO 2024, WEF 2023). In academia, the gaps are starker: only 16.7% of STEMM faculty are women, with IITs at 11.2% and universities at 27%. As women progress in their careers, fewer than 10% hold leadership roles in both academia and STEMM industry.
Closing this “leaky pipeline” is not a social imperative but a strategic one. As India moves toward its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, unlocking the potential of women in STEMM is vital to driving innovation and sustained growth. With momentum from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the India RISE Fellowship backs the next generation of women research leaders delivering lasting impact for science, society, and India’s global leadership.
Program Goal: Empower early-career women scientists in India to enhance their research output, leadership skills, and professional networks at a pivotal stage of their careers. Targeting women who have recently completed advanced degrees and begun independent research roles, the fellowship intervenes at the point many women otherwise exit the scientific workforce.
The India RISE Fellowship will formally announce its first cohort in December 2025. Fellow selection will take place through an invitation-only partnership with leading academic and research institutions across India. We are not accepting unsolicited applications at this time.
In the meantime, we welcome prospective partners and collaborators to learn more about the fellowship’s vision and explore ways to engage.
About the Alliance
The U.S.-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment (Alliance) is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State, the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), the Johns Hopkins University Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (JHU-GKII), and the American India Foundation (AIF). We focus on catalyzing innovative and scalable collaborations amongst the private sector, civil society, and universities, matchmaking expertise, networks, and resources to accelerate women’s economic empowerment in India.
Prior Events
Launch Event Announcement
Consultation Workshop with Higher Education Experts to Understand Gaps in Women in STEMM Leadership
GKII hosted the first consultation workshop with higher education partners, under the aegis of the US India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment. The group discussed key gaps and potential solutions to address girls’ and women’s participation in STEMM fields, especially in the Research and Development domain. The conversation largely explored the role of the US and Indian universities in creating pathways for women researchers to excel as leaders in their domains.
GKII Presents Women in STEM Initiative at USIBC Summit
On September 11, 2024, the U.S.-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment convened its first in-person meeting on the margins of USIBC’s Ideas Summit in New Delhi. The meeting aimed to foster collaboration between public and private sectors to advance women’s economic participation. As an anchor partner of the Alliance, GKII highlighted its Women in STEMM initiative, which focuses on empowering women in India through leadership development, training, and mentorship opportunities.
In the Media
In this article for The Hindu, India RISE Steering Committee Co-Chairs Dr. Anita Shet and Dr. Kamini Walia examine the persistent challenges faced by women in science in India, and outline key measures to support their growth and leadership.
The Indian Express highlights that Johns Hopkins University has launched two new programmes in India: the TB-Free Schools Initiative, aimed at reducing paediatric tuberculosis, and the India RISE Fellowship to advance women’s participation in STEMM. These initiatives reflect JHU’s long-standing commitment to India’s priorities in health and science through collaborative partnerships.
India Today reports that Johns Hopkins University has launched two major initiatives in India, the expansion of its TB-Free Schools Initiative to combat paediatric tuberculosis across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, and the India RISE Fellowship to support 40 early-career women scientists in STEMM. Announced during a centennial celebration of JHU’s ties with India, the visit also included discussions with the Education Minister on potential academic collaborations and establishing a JHU campus in India.
Contact Us
We encourage you to reach out with any inquiries or interest in the India RISE Fellowship. Whether you are a prospective fellow, an education or research institution, a potential partner, or media, we’re here to connect.
General Inquiries:
For all general questions about the fellowship program, eligibility, or application process, please contact our program team at [email protected]
Media Contact:
For media queries, interview requests, or to feature India RISE in your publication, please contact Srishti Kapil, Communications Lead, India RISE at [email protected]
