Challenges Faced by Women Scientists Due to Fellowship Delays

Women scientists in India are confronting significant hurdles in their academic careers due to prolonged delays in the results of prestigious fellowships offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) fellowships, comprising WISE-PhD and WISE-Post Doctoral Fellowships, aim to bolster female participation in science and technology. However, the results for these fellowships have been stagnant for up to 15 months, leaving numerous aspiring researchers in a state of uncertainty regarding their academic future.

The Impact of Delays

Even participants who have managed to secure these fellowships are grappling with issues, as research funding has also been delayed by as much as 18 months. This stall comes at a time when women represent only 18.6% of the 362,000 researchers involved in R&D activities throughout India.

Fellowship Details

• WISE-PhD: Designed for women aged 27 to 45 with postgraduate degrees in science, this fellowship provides funding up to ₹35.69 lakh over five years for doctoral research in both basic and applied sciences.
• WISE-PDF: Targeted at women aged 27 to 60 holding PhDs in STEM fields, this fellowship offers up to ₹42.6 lakh over three years for laboratory-based research.

The application process for both fellowships involves a two-stage selection system: project proposals are initially screened before being evaluated by Subject Expert Committees (SECs). Additionally, applicants for WISE-PDF must undergo an interview if they pass the initial screening. The DST approved an increasing number of projects from 2023-24 to 2024-25, with notable recommendations for both fellowship types during these periods.

Reasons Behind the Delays

All DST initiatives are currently subsumed under the Vigyan Dhara scheme, which merges several programs aimed at advancing science and technology. However, an office memorandum dated August 8 revealed a suspension of funds for new projects under this scheme, attributed to limited funding and the necessity to prioritize existing commitments.

A candidate from Calicut, Kerala, has been waiting for her WISE-PDF interview results for seven months. Having applied in August 2024 and been shortlisted in January 2025, she expressed her frustrations over the lengthy waiting period, emphasizing the difficulty of planning her research amidst uncertainty. “In the fast-changing technological scenario, the work we proposed may no longer be novel by the time we start,” she noted.

Funding Difficulties

Active researchers across various institutions are also feeling the ramifications of these funding delays. A researcher at a central government university in Delhi shared her experience of starting her WISE-PhD fellowship in January 2024, but only receiving funding in August 2024, which severely inhibited her research progress.

Dr. Anju Thomas, from NIT Trichy, has faced similar challenges as her funding from the WISE-PDF fellowship has been significantly delayed, leading to financial strain and hindering her ability to purchase essential research equipment. Since April 2025, she has not received any additional funds, causing her considerable distress.

Government Response

When questioned about the proceedings, DST officials did not provide explanations regarding the funding delays. However, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, stated that the transition to new fund flow systems had introduced some challenges in disbursement. He assured that the government is taking proactive measures, including releasing advanced fellowships and establishing helplines for applicants, to ease these issues.

Conclusion

The current situation illustrates the pressing need to address persistent delays in funding and fellowship results, as they not only affect professional aspirations but also contribute significantly to mental and financial stress among women scientists in India.