Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India & Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum’s (IUSSTF) program, Indo-U.S. Fellowship for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine (WISTEMM) provides international exposure to several women scientists.
Gist about WISTEMM
i.Aim- To provide opportunities to Indian Women Scientists, Engineers & Technologists to undertake international collaborative research in premier institutions in the United States of America(USA), so they could enhance their research capacities & capabilities.
ii.Categories– It comprises 2 categories of women scientists namely; Module I – Women Overseas Student Internship for students pursuing PhD & Module II- Women Overseas Fellowship for PhD holder & also who is present in regular position at any recognized institution/laboratory in India.
iii.Batch– The 1st batch of women scientists comprising 20 women has completed their visit to 20 leading institutions across the USA. A 2nd batch of 20 women is undergoing visits across premier institutions of the USA this year.
iv.Age & Funds– For Module I the age bracket is 21 to 35 years & for Module II it is 27 to 45 years.The funding support includes stipend, airfare, health insurance, contingency & conference allowances.
DST’s major initiatives for promoting women in science
i.KIRAN
In 2014, it restructured all women specific programmes within the framework named as, Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) to bring gender equality & aims to encourage their career in undertaking research in Science and Technology (S&T) as well as to focus on S&T solutions of issues & challenges at the grassroots level for social benefits.
ii.Women Scientist Scheme (WOS)
It provides a platform to women scientists & technologists for pursuing research in basic or applied sciences in frontier areas of science & engineering & also addresses the challenges faced by S&T qualified women primarily due to social responsibilities.
It has 3 components namely WOS-A and WOS-B is directly implemented by KIRAN Division & WOS-C or KIRAN Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is implemented byTechnology Information Forecasting & Assessment Council (TIFAC) with grant-in-aid from DST.
About DST:
Headquarters– New Delhi, India
Minister– Harsh Vardhan
About IUSSTF:
Headquarters – New Delhi, India
Executive Director– Nandini Kannan
