India RISE Fellowship: Johns Hopkins–IISc Initiative to Empower Early-Career Women Scientists in STEMM

Johns Hopkins University has launched the India RISE Fellowship at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The fellowship is aimed at strengthening India’s STEMM ecosystem and the representation of women scientists. 
Early-career women scientists are targeted in this programme who are working in health and medicine research across India and prevent the growing trend of women exiting the research workforce. IISc Bengaluru has been selected as the first cohort.

With women making up only about 14% of researchers globally, this push will ensure gender parity in knowledge generation. 

The India RISE (Research & Innovation STEMM Empowerment) Fellowship is initiated by the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University. This comes under U.S.–India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment. It will be a one-year, part-time programme.

What is the India RISE Fellowship?

In the career of a female researcher, there comes a critical stage where a lot of obstacles are encountered. Institutional barriers, limited mentorship, and career breaks force them to bid a goodbye to their careers. STEMM fields have recorded a great number of exits of women scholars. Given the context, the India RISE Fellowship comes in the picture as a structured programme that supports women scientists at this critical stage.

The step will generate a stronger and firmer pipeline of women leaders in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) by offering:

• Research guidance
• Leadership exposure
• Cross-sector collaboration 

The fellowship is a brainchild of U.S.–India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment. The conception of this strategic effort indicates a diverse innovation landscape.

First Cohort Begins at IISc Bengaluru

IISc Bengaluru has witnessed the first cohort of the India RISE Fellowship. 

• It includes 41 women scientists 
• From 16 States and Union Territories
• Affiliated with 30 research and academic institutions.

These institutions are:

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
• AIIMS campuses
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) institutes
• Government universities

The data shows that they have future leadership potential:

• 61% of fellows hold PhD degrees
• 88 % completed their highest qualification in 2019 or later.

Research Areas Covered Under the India Rise Fellowship

Women scientists who are selected for the India RISE Fellowship are working in these domains:

• Non-communicable diseases
• Public health
• Infectious diseases
• Maternal and child health
• Digital health and medical devices
• Artificial intelligence and statistics
• Medical diagnostics

Eligibility Criteria for India RISE Fellowship

Eligibility requirements for India RISE Fellowship are the following:

Why the India RISE Fellowship Matters?

Reports have highlighted the concern of the decreasing number of talented women scientists in research, while the number of women graduating from STEM courses is high. 

A Step Towards Gender Equity in Research

In the International Journal of Advanced Research, a research article - Quantitative Analysis of Gender Inclusivity in Indian Institutes of Technology Post Supernumerary Seats Policy - noted “Institutional Disparities in Gender Diversity:- A comparison of seven-year average female enrollment percentages across IITs revealed disparities in gender diversity. 

• IIT Gandhinagar led with an average of 26.1%
• Followed by IIT Palakkad (23.66%) and IIT Hyderabad (23.38%). 
• In contrast, IIT Bhubaneswar had the lowest average (14.47%)
• IIT Patna and IIT BHU are also lagging, each below 16%. 

This variation suggests varied institutional efforts in fostering gender diversity.”

Year-wise Female Representation at IITs (Overall)

Gender Parity Disparities Across IIT Campuses

Take a look at the table below:

The India RISE Fellowship is to reverse this trend. The programme will address a continuing gender gap while offering imperative support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: What is the India Rise fellowship?

Ans: This is offered by Johns Hopkins University. This aims to provide financial and academic support to women scientists who are in their early careers. 

Ques: Which organization has launched the India Rise fellowship?

Ans: The India RISE (Research & Innovation STEMM Empowerment) Fellowship is started by the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

Ques: What fields are covered under this fellowship?

Ans: The stream is mainly Medicine and Health Sciences.

• Non-communicable diseases
• Public health
• Infectious diseases
• Maternal and child health
• Digital health and medical devices
• Artificial intelligence and statistics
• Medical diagnostics