Empowering Women in STEM: Grand Challenges India Launches Leadership Program for Entrepreneurs
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The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and WomenLift Health, has announced the second call for the Women’s Leadership in STEM Entrepreneurship program. Housed at BIRAC in New Delhi, this initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in India’s startup ecosystem, where currently only 5.9% of startups are founded exclusively by women.
This year-long, part-time leadership journey is specifically designed for mid-career women founders who are ready to scale their innovations and navigate the systemic barriers of the STEM industry.
Program Highlights & Offerings
The program will select a elite cohort of 30 women leaders for a hybrid learning experience that includes:
- Virtual & In-person Residencies: Interactive workshops focused on authentic, strategic, and impactful leadership.
- Executive Coaching: One-on-one sessions with professional coaches to leverage personal leadership strengths.
- Mentorship Access: Connection to senior-level industry leaders and technical experts.
- Leadership Projects: A platform to design and pitch self-driven projects that address real-world challenges in public health and STEM.
- Full Sponsorship: All program costs—including travel, lodging, and meals for in-person events—are fully covered by the organizers.
Who Should Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
Applicants must meet the following prerequisites to be considered for the 2026 cohort:
- Identity: Must identify as a woman and be an Indian national residing in India.
- Role: Must be a Founder, Co-founder, or CEO of a registered STEM or Public Health startup in India.
- Experience: Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in STEM/Public Health (Ph.D. and Post-doc years are counted as work experience).
- Language: Proficiency in English (written and verbal).
The Leadership Project Themes
Participants are expected to propose a project that uses a “gender lens” to improve outcomes in:
- STEM Innovation and Policy implementation.
- Institutional transformation for inclusive health systems.
- Optimizing pathways to leadership for other women.
- Science-driven entrepreneurship for better livelihood outcomes.
Important Note: BIRAC and WomenLift Health provide the expertise and network to refine these projects but do not provide direct seed funding for the project’s implementation.
Key Dates & Deadlines
- Call Opens: 18 December 2025
- Submission Deadline: 23 January 2026
- Cohort Announcement: April 2026
- In-person Immersion Event: May 2026
- Program Completion (Lift Off): March 2027
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