India RISE Fellowship

Empowering early-career Indian women scientists to lead in STEMM research and innovation

About the Fellowship 

The India RISE (Research & Innovation STEMM Empowerment) Fellowship is a joint initiative of the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII) at Johns Hopkins University and premier research and educational institutions in India. Conceptualized under the aegis of the U.S.-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, this program aims to address the critical gap in leadership and retention of women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) by supporting early-career Indian women researchers through a year-long immersive experience in research training, leadership development, mentorship, and networking.

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.

Graphic showing women in stemm in education, workforce and leadership

Program Overview 

Goal: The fellowship aims to empower early-career women scientists in India to enhance their research output, leadership skills and supportive peer network at a critical stage when most are at risk of exiting the scientific workforce. For the first-year cohort, 40 fellows will be selected from institutions in India.

Theory of Change Approach: This goal will be achieved by addressing individual, organizational, and societal barriers that Indian women in STEMM research careers uniquely face. Our evidence-based interventions are targeted at the initial stages of research careers when Indian women are at highest risk for exiting the field.  

Key Strategies  

  • Provide personalized group and peer mentorship to support career growth.  
  • Enhance research skills through specialized education and training programs. 
  • Develop leadership capabilities to help women overcome internal barriers to success. 
  • Address organizational barriers by expanding networking opportunities and career connections. 
  • Promote workplace practices that support career advancement and professional development.

Outcomes and Impact 

Specific short-term program outcomes include: 

  • Scalable Mentorship Model: A sustainable and scalable research fellowship curriculum and mentorship program tailored for women scientists in India, fostering long-term growth and empowering the next generation of leaders. 
  • Skills Development & Workforce Impact: Expanded access to specialized online courses and training programs, strengthening research capacity and supporting STEMM workforce and economic goals. 
  • Collaborative Network: A dynamic, ongoing peer network of Indian women researchers to promote collaboration, support, and shared innovation across academia and industry. 
  • Increased Leadership & Representation: Boosted representation, leadership, and retention of Indian women in STEMM, enhancing research quality, industry partnerships, and global visibility.

Graphic, Scalable Mentorship Model Research Skills Development Collaborative Research Networks Increased Women in STEMM Leadership & Representation Sustainable Workforce Impact

The India RISE Fellowship will formally launch in November 2025. Fellow selection will take place through a closed nomination process in 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 is a collaborative initiative designed to promote the economic participation and empowerment of women in India. The Alliance brings together government agencies, non-profits, academic institutions, and corporate partners to create an enabling environment for women to thrive in various sectors. 

The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University (GKII-JHU), and the American India Foundation (AIF) serve as the three anchor partners of the U.S.-India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment.  These anchor partners work with the U.S. Department of State and Alliance members to build and support umbrella initiatives under which different companies, academic actors, and non-profits in the U.S. and India can collaborate. 

In the Media

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. We were joined by Olivia Holt-Ivry and Ketan Thakkar from the US State Department and by our fellow anchor partners from the American India Foundation and USIBC – US India Business Council. 

GKII Presents Women in STEM Initiative at USBIC 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. 

Contact Us for Queries and Partnership Requests

[email protected]

Faculty and Team Leads

  • Anita Shet, MD. PhD, Research Professor and Faculty Champion
  • Kunal Pal, GKII Executive Director
  • Neetisha Besra, GKII Deputy Director
  • Beth Romanski, GKII Program Manager
  • Srishti Kapil, GKII Communications Consultant