To encourage more women to be part of STEM and bridge the gender gap in these domains, many organisations, institutes and universities offer scholarships and fellowships to women interested in pursuing education in STEM. This is a list of a few such opportunities:
- DST Women Scientist Fellowship
India’s Department of Science & Technology offers the Women Scientist Fellowship to encourage women to continue their research career in science and technology after a break. The fellowship covers a monthly stipend of Rs55,000 and a project grant of about Rs30 lakh. The fellowship for those with a master’s degree covers a monthly income of Rs40,000 and a project grant of up to Rs25 lakh. - The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship Program
This scholarship is for female undergraduate and graduate students in the Asia-Pacific region. Students enrolled in universities for computer science, computer engineering and closely related fields are eligible to apply. - The Graduate Women In Science (GWIS) National Fellowships Program
GWIS provides funds to women scientists conducting research in the natural sciences in order to support women’s academic and scientific careers. The fellowship offers a maximum of $10,000 for upto 12 months. - Women In Aviation International Scholarship
Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a US-based non-profit that hopes to encourage the advancement of women in all aviation career fields. WAI awards scholarships to its members to advance their careers in aviation and aerospace. - Women Enhancing Technology (WeTech) Scholarship
A partnership between Juniper Networks and the Women Enhancing Technology (WeTech) brought the scholarship and internship program for young women in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the United States, Europe and India. Indian women studying at the Manipal Institute of Technology, BMS College of Engineering and PSG College of Technology are eligible to apply for the scholarship, which includes a six-month internship at the Juniper offices in India. The scholarship is for women pursuing an engineering or computer science degree. - The Science Ambassador Scholarship
Any woman planning to attend, or attending, a college in the United States can apply for the Science Ambassador Scholarship for any STEM field. All you have to do to apply is submit a three-minute (or lesser duration) video about a STEM subject that fascinates you and you want to learn more about it. This is an excellent support for students wanting to do their research in US universities. - Indo-US Fellowship for Women in STEMM (WISTEMM)
India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Indo-US Science & Technology Forum (IUSSTF) offer the Indo-US Fellowship for Women in STEMM (WISTEMM) to Indian women scientists, engineers and technologists for international collaborations with research in premier US institutes. This fellowship offers two modules: Women overseas student internship program and the Women overseas fellowship program. - MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship
Female candidates studying in the United States or Canada for STEM degree programs from international/DACA background are eligible to apply for this scholarship, which offers a grant each of $3,000 and $1,000.
These are just a few of the scholarships/fellowships on offer for Indian women. There are many other such opportunities that you can explore for a career in STEM.