Johns Hopkins India RISE Fellowship Empowers Women Researchers in STEMM

Johns Hopkins University has launched the India RISE Fellowship, a specialised initiative aimed at strengthening research leadership among early-career Indian women working in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). The fellowship is designed to address long-standing gaps in research visibility, mentorship, and leadership development for women in high-impact scientific fields.

The India RISE Fellowship is a 12-month, flexible, part-time programme offered by the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University. Structured to allow participants to continue in their existing academic or professional roles, the programme blends online learning with live virtual sessions and two fully funded in-person convenings. The current cohort is scheduled to run from January 2026 to February 2027.

At its core, the fellowship focuses on project-based learning. Each fellow is required to design and advance an independent capstone research project aligned with national priorities in STEMM, health, or medicine. The curriculum integrates technical research training with leadership development, enabling participants to build both scientific depth and professional influence.

Fellows gain access to more than 500 curated learning resources, covering areas such as research design, ethics, grant writing, scientific communication, data visualisation, project management and stakeholder engagement. A strong emphasis is placed on translating research findings into policy-relevant insights and disseminating results through publications, presentations and research briefs.

Mentorship is a key pillar of the programme. Each participant selects a Technical Research Advisor from their home institution and is paired with an India RISE Program Mentor. This triad mentorship model is designed to provide academic guidance, career development support and strategic leadership coaching. Fellows also develop personalised Individual Development Plans to track progress and identify long-term goals.

The fellowship includes two in-person convenings that bring participants together for intensive workshops, peer learning and networking. Travel, accommodation and participation costs for these convenings are fully covered by the programme. While the fellowship does not offer a salary or stipend, it provides significant non-monetary support through training, mentorship and access to global academic networks.

Participants may also compete for a USD 50,000 research grant challenge, offering additional support to scale promising research ideas. Upon successful completion of all programme requirements, fellows are awarded a Johns Hopkins University microcredential, enhancing their academic profile and professional credibility.

Eligibility and Application Process

The fellowship is open to early-career Indian women researchers affiliated with eligible Indian institutions. Applicants should hold or be pursuing postgraduate qualifications such as a PhD, MTech, MD, MS, DNB or equivalent. Candidates may have up to seven years of professional experience, with allowances made for career breaks.

Private institutions are eligible provided they are government-recognised and included in the programme’s outreach list. The application process operates through institutional invitations. Eligible institutions circulate an Expression of Interest (EOI), after which shortlisted candidates are invited to submit a full application through the InfoReady portal.

Unsolicited direct applications are not accepted, though eligible candidates may contact the India RISE team to request an EOI. Selection is competitive and based on academic background, research potential, leadership aspirations and institutional support. Applicants are not required to have an international collaborator at the time of applying.

By combining rigorous research training, leadership development and global exposure, the India RISE Fellowship aims to empower Indian women scientists to take on leadership roles, expand their research impact and contribute meaningfully to national and global scientific priorities.