Bengaluru, January 21, 2026
The Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII) at Johns Hopkins University launched the India RISE (Research & Innovation STEMM Empowerment) Fellowship at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, convening the inaugural cohort of 41 women scientists from across India.
Conceptualised under the U.S.–India Alliance for Women’s Economic Empowerment, India RISE is a year-long, part-time fellowship designed to address persistent gender gaps in India’s research and innovation ecosystem through structured leadership development, mentorship, and research support. The program focuses on a critical career stage when many women scientists face structural barriers and a heightened risk of exiting the STEMM workforce.
Cohort Snapshot
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Cohort | 41 women scientists from 16 States and Union Territories |
| Institutions represented | 30 premier institutions, including IISc, multiple IITs, AIIMS campuses, ICMR institutes, and leading public universities |
| Research areas | Non-communicable diseases, public health, infectious diseases, maternal and child health, digital health, medical diagnostics, AI, and statistics |
| Degree profile | Most fellows hold doctoral or medical terminal degrees; 61% hold PhDs |
| Early-career focus | 88% completed their highest degree in 2019 or later |
Keynote Address
“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.”
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist, World Health Organization; former Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Highlights from Day 1 at IISc
- Lamp lighting ceremony featuring leadership from IISc, ICMR, JHU and program partners.
- Special Remarks: Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and Dr. Uma Nambiar, CEO of Bagchi–Parthasarathy Hospital at IISc Bengaluru, spoke about the importance of supporting both excellence and diversity in India’s research ecosystem.
- Leadership Workshop: An interactive session on authentic leadership led by Uttara Bharat Kumar (Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs) and Sanjeeta Agnihotri (CCC-I), helping fellows reflect on leadership as a practice that can be exercised at all levels.
- Mentorship Panel and “Ask Me Anything”: A discussion on mentorship, pathways, and enabling ecosystems for women in STEMM.
Research Leadership
A fireside chat on women’s leadership in research featured Dr Usha Vijayraghavan (Dean, Biological Sciences Division, IISc Bengaluru) and Dr Anita Shet (India RISE Program Chair).
“Recognising and supporting women in science is not just beneficial to the individuals; it is in the long-term interest of institutions themselves. Creating flexible, enabling ecosystems allows women to sustain their careers, strengthens research excellence, and advances broader goals of social and health equity.”
Usha Vijayraghavan, Dean, Biological Sciences Division, IISc Bengaluru
Adaptive Leadership Session
Led by Neetisha Besra (Program Director, India RISE; Director, India, GKII), the session equipped fellows with tools to distinguish technical problems from adaptive challenges and to map system dynamics, including values, power relationships, and patterns of resistance.
Industry R&D Site Visits
Days 2 and 3 underscored the role of the private sector in bridging research, innovation, and real-world impact. Fellows participated in immersive engagements with leading global health technology companies, exploring industry-driven R&D, translational science, and diverse leadership pathways beyond academia.
Siemens Healthineers
- Visit to Siemens Healthineers’ Electronic City campus, with facility tours and demonstrations across molecular imaging, diagnostics, and advanced therapies.
- Panel discussion on leadership journeys and allies, alongside an HR-led conversation on career pathways and progression into leadership roles in STEMM.
Becton Dickinson (BD)
- Engagement with BD’s end-to-end innovation ecosystem through lab walkthroughs, technical sessions on product development and patent lifecycles, and discussions with the BD WIN (Women’s Initiative Network) team.
- Reflections on leadership, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, reinforcing the private sector’s role as a key partner in advancing equity and excellence in STEMM.
