As a crucial component of the central government’s WISE-KIRAN initiative aimed at empowering women, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, emphasized the importance of the ‘Women Scientist Scheme’ on Wednesday. Addressing the Lok Sabha in a written response, Singh underscored the scheme’s role as a flagship program within the broader Women in Science and Engineering framework, offering vital opportunities for women scientists to forge careers in the field of science & technology (S&T).
Launched in 2018, ‘Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)’ encourages women scientists to engage in groundbreaking research in science and engineering, focusing on societal challenges and promoting S&T-based internships followed by self-employment. The initiative aims to address the gender-specific challenges that often result in the exclusion of well-qualified women from S&T activities, particularly due to circumstances like career breaks associated with motherhood and family responsibilities.
To tackle these challenges, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) initiated the Women Scientists Scheme. The allocated budget for the WISE-KIRAN scheme for the financial year 2023-24 is Rs. 131.20 crore. Since its inception in 2018, approximately 1962 women scientists have benefited from the Women Scientist Scheme.
Key Initiatives under WISE-KIRAN:
1. Fellowship Programs:
• WISE Fellowship for PhD (WISE-PhD): Supporting women aged 27-45 pursuing a PhD in basic and applied sciences for up to 5 years.
• WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF): Offering opportunities for women aged 27-60 with a PhD in basic and applied sciences to conduct independent research projects.
2. WIDUSHI Program:
• Encouraging senior women scientists nearing retirement to engage in interdisciplinary research in science and technology.
3. WISE-SCOPE Program:
• Empowering women scientists to address societal challenges through science and technology interventions in thematic areas like agriculture, health, energy, engineering, and environment.
4. Internship for Alternative Career Paths in STEM:
• WISE-Independent Project Grant (IPR) Program: Providing a one-year training opportunity in intellectual property rights for women aged 25-45 with a background in basic and applied sciences.
5. Overseas Opportunities:
• WINGS Program: Enabling Indian women scientists to undertake research in international labs through internship, fellowship, and scientific visit modules.
6. Infrastructure Development Support:
• CURIE Program: Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence (CURIE), supporting women’s institutions, including universities and PG colleges, to establish state-of-the-art research infrastructure in science and technology.
7. Opportunity for Young Girls:
• Vigyan Jyoti Program: Encouraging girls in 250 districts across 34 States/UTs to pursue higher education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through various interventions, including counseling, role-model interactions, workshops, and science camps.
8. Policy Intervention for Gender Equality:
• GATI Program: Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI), aiming to develop a Charter for Gender Equity in STEMM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics & Medicine). This program focuses on transforming institutions to create a more inclusive ecosystem for women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.