Apply for BioWISE Scholarship and Mentorship Programme for Women in STEM 2026-27 – Cohort 2

Application Deadline: Not specified (apply early)

About the Programme

This initiative empowers and inspires talented female students in STEM disciplines, offering them hands-on experience, scholarships, and mentorship. We are announcing this program across Karnataka to support women’s entry and continued participation in STEM, with a focus on life sciences. Launched on June 9, 2025, at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, BioWISE is an initiative of the BeST Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) Cluster, in collaboration with the Biocon Foundation (CSR arm of Biocon Biologics) and NCBS, National Centre for Biological Sciences as our academic and knowledge partner. The program brings together academia, industry, and government stakeholders to bridge the gap between academic learning and workforce readiness for women in STEM. We invite final-year postgraduate students and students who have completed their PG within a timeframe of one year and are not currently involved in any academic courses to apply for a 6-month internship at Bengaluru’s most prestigious Academic, Research and Development (R&D) institutions and industries. This internship is tailored to offer expert mentorship, practical exposure, and the chance to learn emerging tech solutions in life sciences.

Programme Benefits

Selected participants receive:

• Hands-on research exposure in leading academic, R&D, and industry environments in Bengaluru
• Scholarship support to reduce financial barriers
• Expert mentorship from experienced researchers and professionals
• Practical exposure to emerging technology solutions in life sciences
• Networking opportunities with peers and leaders in STEM
• Workforce readiness bridging academic learning and industry requirements

Eligibility Criteria – PG Students

The scholarship supports Postgraduate (PG) women students who meet the following criteria:

• Must be a female student currently in the final year of PG studies OR have completed their PG within one year and is not currently associated with any academic courses
• Must have consistently demonstrated strong academic performance, with a minimum of 75% marks in previous studies
• Should be willing to stay committed throughout the entire period of 6 months
• Must belong to a family with low annual income (generally less than ₹6 lakhs per annum)
• Should be enrolled in or graduated from a Tier 2 or Tier 3 college or university located in Karnataka
• Must exhibit a clear and demonstrated interest in applied research
• First-generation learners will be given preference
• Applicants must submit the attached self-declaration form to confirm first-generation learner status

Ineligibility: Students and immediate relatives affiliated with our promoting partners (BIOCON, BeST, or NCBS) are not eligible to apply.

Application Requirements

To apply for the Postgraduate internship programme, applicants must:

1. Complete the Google Form provided in the application link
2. Ensure your application includes a Statement of Purpose (SOP) explaining your motivation and goals for joining the programme
3. Submit your updated resume/CV

Important Note: Only fully completed applications will be considered for shortlisting. Applicants are requested to carefully read all sections of the form and ensure that every part is filled out before submission for it to be considered a completed application.

Document Templates: Please ensure that you review and use the provided templates for the CV, self-declaration, and official letter when submitting your application. Applications that do not include these documents in the specified format will not be considered.

Selection Process

The BeST team will reach out to shortlisted candidates with detailed instructions regarding the next steps in the selection process.

Selection Criteria Summary:

• Female student in final year of PG or PG completed within one year
• Minimum 75% marks in previous studies
• Commitment to full 6-month programme duration
• Family annual income below ₹6 lakhs
• Enrolled in or graduated from Tier 2/Tier 3 Karnataka college/university
• Demonstrated interest in applied research
• First-generation learners preferred
• No affiliation with BIOCON, BeST, or NCBS

Why This Programme Matters

Women remain underrepresented in STEM fields in India, particularly in research and industry roles. Students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 institutions face additional barriers: limited access to research facilities, fewer mentorship opportunities, and less exposure to career pathways in science.

The BioWISE programme addresses these gaps by:

• Creating meaningful access to research and professional environments in Bengaluru’s leading academic and industry institutions
• Providing scholarship support to reduce financial barriers for students from lower-income families (below ₹6 lakhs annual income)
• Prioritizing first-generation learners who may lack family networks in STEM
• Bridging the gap between academic learning and workforce readiness
• Offering a 6-month internship at Bengaluru’s most prestigious Academic, R&D, and industry institutions
• Building a pipeline of women scientists equipped for research and industry careers

For women postgraduate students in Life Sciences from Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges in Karnataka, BioWISE offers a transformative opportunity to gain hands-on research experience, mentorship, and professional networks.

Click here to apply

For More Information: Visit the Official IndiaBioscience BioWISE Program Page