Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, emphasized the 'Women Scientist Scheme' as a key part of the WISE-KIRAN initiative, highlighting its role in empowering women in science and technology.
Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN) launched in 2018 is a special initiative led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) that aims to empower women in the STEM fields and advance gender equality. Through various programs, the WISE-KIRAN scheme seeks to address the various challenges faced by women in their scientific journeys, with the ultimate goal of bringing gender parity and increasing women's participation in the field of science and technology (S&T). Since its inception, the respective initiative has provided financial assistance to around 1962 women scientists and for the year 2023-24, the DST has finalized a budget of Rs. 131.20 crore.
WISE-KIRAN focuses on key initiatives like:
WISE Fellowship programs for PhD and WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship, supporting women aged 27-45 for up to 5 years and offering opportunities for women aged 27-60 allowing independent research projects respectively. The WIDUSHI Program encourages senior women scientists to engage in interdisciplinary research, while the WISE-SCOPE Program empowers them to address societal challenges. The IPR Program provides one-year training in intellectual property rights for women aged 25-45.
The WINGS Program allows Indian women scientists to conduct international research through internships and fellowships. The CURIE Program supports women's institutions in developing research infrastructure. The Vigyan Jyoti Program encourages girls in 250 districts to pursue STEM careers. GATI Program aims to create a more inclusive STEMM ecosystem for women through the development of a Charter for Gender Equity.
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