Rukhmabai Grants · Edition 6
Stories of Women in STEM
Help us amplify the voices of striking women who have unique points of view and compelling insights into the world of STEM and their place in it.
Applications open 1 November 2026 · Deadline 15 December 2026
Guidelines
About the grants
Receive a grant of
INR 40,000
Three grants of INR 40,000 each.
Each grantee will produce three stories, two profiles and one feature story, in line with Rukhmabai Initiatives’ aim to inspire and inform.
Over the year, grantees will be invited to take part in short activities that support the Rukhmabai team’s work in this space, including a Story Spotlight: a short online conversation about their story at our monthly Women Shaping STEM event.
Stories are published under a CC BY-ND 4.0 licence and offered to partner outlets for republication, with credit to the writer and Rukhmabai Initiatives, so the work reaches more readers.
The brief
What we’re looking for
Help us tell fascinating stories about contemporary Indian Women in STEM who are doing ‘cool’ things!
Pitch profiles that will get our readers excited about the sciences through stories of inspiring women who have overcome personal or professional challenges on the path to scientific excellence.
Everyone you profile must agree to be profiled and photographed.
Eligibility
Who can apply?
01
Are you a woman science writer or journalist?
02
Are you passionate about STEM, gender, and how they intersect?
03
Are you an Indian citizen over 18 years of age?
How to apply
What you’ll need
About you
- Name, email and city
- A short bio
- Two or three writing samples, as links
- Confirmation that you meet the eligibility criteria
Your pitches
- Pitches for three stories, two profiles and one feature, of about 150–200 words each
- Why you want to tell these stories
- Whether you’d be available for a short online conversation about your story at one of our monthly events (this is for planning only and doesn’t affect selection)
Timeline
Key dates
1 November 2026
Applications open
15 December 2026
Applications close
January 2027
Evaluation of entries
February 2027
Grantees announced
February – July 2027
Reporting and writing, with editorial check-ins
April – September 2027
Stories published on a rolling basis
Selection process
How we choose
Phase 1
After applications close, the entries are evaluated by the Rukhmabai team and external evaluators.
Phase 2
Shortlisted applicants are invited for an interview.
Phase 3
Grantees are announced and their stories are commissioned.
Our jurors
Past jurors
The Edition 6 jury will be announced soon.
Dr Debarshini Chakraborty
Dr Sarah Iqbal
Dr Indu K Murthy
Sagarika Valluri
Rukhmabai Initiatives
Ayswarya Murthy
101Reporters
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
Science writers and journalists, who are passionate about STEM and gender, and who are Indian citizens over 18. See the eligibility criteria.
How many grants are there, and how much is each?
Three grants of INR 40,000 each. Each grantee writes three stories: two profiles and one feature.
What do I need to submit?
Your name, email, city and a short bio; two or three writing samples as links; pitches for three stories (two profiles and one feature, about 150–200 words each); and a note on why you want to tell these stories. See How to apply.
Who can I write about?
Any woman in STEM in India with a good story, someone who is making a difference through her work. If her journey will inspire and inform our readers, pitch it.
How are applications evaluated?
The Rukhmabai team and external evaluators then assess the entries, and shortlisted applicants are invited for an interview.
When will I hear back?
Interviews take place in January 2027, and grantees will be announced on by February 2027
Where will my stories appear?
Stories are published on rukhmabai.com under a CC BY-ND 4.0 licence and offered to partner outlets for republication, credited to you and to Rukhmabai Initiatives.
Will I need to take part in events?
Grantees will be invited to discuss their story at a Story Spotlight, a short online conversation during our monthly Women Shaping STEM event. The dates are agreed with you.
I have a question that isn’t answered here.
Write to us at [email protected].
Are you considering applying?
Here’s why this is important
Ready to pitch?
Applications close on 15 December 2026. Want to see what a Rukhmabai story looks like first? Read the stories from past editions.
Questions? Write to [email protected]