For many working professionals in science, technology, engineering, medicine, and public health, the mid-career phase is both promising and challenging. Years of experience bring expertise and confidence, yet access to structured leadership training, mentorship, and entrepreneurial exposure often remains limited—especially for women. Addressing this gap, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has opened applications for a focused and timely initiative: Women’s Leadership in STEM Entrepreneurship.
This programme is designed not as a classroom exercise, but as a capacity-building journey for women who are ready to step into leadership roles, scale innovations, or translate scientific expertise into impact-driven enterprises.
What Makes This Programme Worth Your Time
The initiative aims to strengthen gender equality in STEM leadership by equipping women professionals with the skills, networks, and confidence needed to lead in complex ecosystems. The selected cohort will include 30 mid-career women entrepreneurs and innovators, ensuring meaningful peer learning and close mentorship.
One of the strongest advantages is accessibility. There is no programme fee, and all essential costs—including travel and lodging for residential components—are fully covered. For professionals balancing work, family, and career growth, this removes a major barrier to participation.
The programme follows a hybrid format, combining:
- One residential leadership workshop
- One virtual session
- One-to-one coaching and structured mentorship
This flexible design allows participants to gain deep learning without stepping away from their professional responsibilities for long periods.
Who Should Apply
This opportunity is specifically curated for women who already have a solid professional foundation and are looking to grow into leadership or entrepreneurial roles. Applicants should:
- Identify as women
- Have a minimum of eight years of experience in STEM and/or public health
- Hold qualifications such as PhD, MD, or other advanced degrees, or possess equivalent professional experience
- Be a founder, co-founder, or CEO of a registered STEM or public health startup or enterprise in India
- Be an Indian national currently living and working in India
If you are leading a startup, planning to commercialize research, or shaping innovation within your organization, this programme aligns directly with your next career milestone.
Key Dates to Remember
- Applications open: 18 December 2025
- Application deadline: 23 January 2026, 4:00 PM
Timely application is crucial, as the cohort size is limited and selection is competitive.
Why This Matters for Your Career
Leadership in STEM today demands more than technical excellence. It requires strategic thinking, communication, ecosystem navigation, and resilience. Programmes like this help bridge the gap between expertise and influence.
Participants gain:
- Exposure to leadership frameworks tailored for STEM contexts
- Direct mentorship from experienced professionals
- Peer networks with fellow women leaders facing similar challenges
- Enhanced visibility within India’s innovation and biotechnology ecosystem
For many women professionals, such structured support can be the catalyst that transforms experience into authority and ideas into enterprises.
Take the Next Step
If you have invested years in building expertise and are now ready to lead, mentor, or innovate at scale, this opportunity deserves serious consideration. Government-supported initiatives like this are rare, impactful, and designed to bring capable professionals into the national innovation fold.
Career growth in STEM does not have to be a solitary climb. With the right platform, mentorship, and recognition, your next chapter can be one of leadership and lasting impact.
