New Delhi, April 04, 2026: Biocon Foundation, the CSR arm of Biocon, has onboarded the primary cohort of its BioWISE (Women in STEM Empowered) programme in collaboration with the Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster (BeST Cluster) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS).
The programme goals to strengthen ladies’s participation in science and expertise by supporting 25 college students—15 postgraduate and 10 undergraduate ladies—from Tier 2 and Tier 3 establishments throughout Karnataka. The first cohort contains 15 postgraduate college students chosen from over 350 candidates by a multi-stage course of.
Participants will bear a six-month internship programme that features scholarships, mentorship, and hands-on analysis publicity. They have been positioned with main establishments such because the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Science, and Biocon, the place they are going to work on dwell analysis and growth initiatives.
The initiative focuses on addressing the hole between educational coaching and workforce participation, significantly for ladies in STEM fields, by offering structured help, technical coaching, and profession steerage.
Speaking on the occasion, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson, Biocon Group, mentioned: “India does not have a pipeline problem in science; it has a transition problem. While women enter STEM education in large numbers, too many drop out at the stage of entering professional roles in industry. BioWISE is a strategic intervention at precisely this moment, where talent must meet opportunity. This program by Biocon Foundation, BeST Cluster, and NCBS is about building confidence and ecosystems of support so women not only stay in science, but lead, innovate, and shape the future of India’s scientific enterprise.”
Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, added: “The future of science and innovation will depend on how inclusively we nurture and strengthen our talent pipeline. When women are given equal access to opportunities, supported in their growth, and empowered to lead, the entire ecosystem benefits. Initiatives like BioWISE reflect this vision by bringing together academia, industry, and government to bridge the gap between education and workforce readiness, while enabling women from diverse backgrounds to contribute meaningfully to the future of science and innovation.”
R. Anantharaman, CEO, BeST Cluster, mentioned “Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) Cluster is grateful to Biocon Foundation, National Center for Biological Sciences (NCBS), and other leading institutions for backing BioWISE 25-26 (Women in STEM Empowered) – Cohort 1, a six-month internship giving 15 postgraduate women students or from Tier-2 and Tier-3 colleges learning opportunities, structured mentorship, and guidance to empower women in STEM, focusing on life sciences.”
Prof. L.S. Shashidhara, Director, NCBS, commented “The BioWise program is a significant and timely initiative aimed at empowering women in STEM. The entire STEM community is indebted to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and the Biocon Foundation. The BeST Cluster has played a catalytic role in bringing together a strong network of collaborators and mentors from leading institutions such as IISc, IBAB, NCBS, CBR, and other organizations thereby fostering a truly collaborative and enabling ecosystem. Such multi-institutional efforts are essential to nurture talent, build confidence, and support the long-term growth of women scientists.”
Dr. Anupama Shetty, Mission Director, Biocon Foundation, added “BioWISE is designed as a long-term intervention to support women at critical transition points in their scientific journeys. In addition to the 15 postgraduate interns currently onboarded, the program will also support 10 undergraduate students through scholarships, short-term internships and mentorship modules during the year, creating early exposure and continuity into STEM careers.”
Naveen Narayanan, Chief Human Resources Officer, Biocon, mentioned “BioWISE reflects our belief that inclusion must translate into opportunity. And for that, we need to support talent not as a one-time intervention, but as a sustained commitment. Programs like BioWISE represent a more deliberate approach where inclusion is not episodic, but built through consistency.”
Launched in June 2025, BioWISE is designed to enhance entry, participation, and retention of girls in STEM, significantly from underserved communities. The programme offers publicity to trade environments, talent growth, {and professional} networks, serving to members transition into long-term scientific careers.