British Council, in collaboration with UK universities, has launched the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM program for the 2024-25 academic year. This initiative aims to support female graduates in pursuing Masters’ degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields in the UK.
The scholarship program is part of a broader effort to bridge the gender gap in STEM education and the workforce. By empowering women to pursue advanced degrees in STEM, the program seeks to foster innovation, promote diversity, and drive scientific and technological progress. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2023, women account for only 27% of India’s STEM workforce, highlighting the need for initiatives that encourage more women to enter and succeed in STEM fields.
The British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM program will award 25 scholarships to female STEM scholars from India and other South Asian countries. These scholarships will be available at five UK higher education institutions: Queen Mary University of London, Anglia Ruskin University, Greenwich University, The University of Southampton, and Coventry University. The program will cover tuition fees, stipends, travel costs, visa expenses, health coverage fees, and English language support.
Rittika Chanda Parruck MBE, Director Education India, British Council, emphasized the importance of gender equity in STEM fields, stating, “Gender equity is not just a nice idea, it is essential for the progress of mankind.” She highlighted the need for programs like the Women in STEM Scholarships to provide financial assistance to women pursuing education in STEM fields, enabling them to unleash their full potential and contribute to solving global challenges.
Since its inception in 2020, the program has awarded over 300 scholarships, with 92 scholars enrolled in their selected courses in the 2023-24 academic year. To date, 52 Indian women have been awarded scholarships and have pursued one-year postgraduate studies in the UK through the program. The scholarships aim to inspire young women to pursue leadership roles in STEM fields and provide networking opportunities with peers in their region and the UK.
The scholarship program is open to women with dependents, offering additional support to enable them to pursue their education in STEM fields. Application deadlines vary depending on the university, typically falling between March and April 2024. Interested applicants can find more information about eligibility criteria, participating universities, available courses, and application deadlines on the British Council’s website.
