Duolingo launches scholarship for Indian women in STEM
The Duolingo English Test (DET), in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, has announced the opening of applications for the 'DETermined' scholarship. The DET scholarship is a financial aid initiative exclusively for Indian women who are in STEM fields.
The scholarship offers a one-time grant of USD 30,000 to support tuition for undergraduate or postgraduate programs in the United States beginning Spring 2026. The application is now open for submissions on the Manthan portal and is aimed at bridging the financial gap for high-achieving Indian women aspiring to pursue global education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
According to an official statement, UGC data shows women's enrollment in STEM disciplines in India rose to 42.6% in 2024, up from 38.4% a decade ago. Despite this progress, financial barriers continue to prevent many from accessing top global institutions. This scholarship seeks to address that challenge.
The Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor serves as the knowledge partner and will also help oversee the application process, including participation in the selection jury.
What are the benefits of the DETermined scholarship?
The DETermined Scholarship offers a one-time grant of USD 30,000, which is approximately ₹25 lakh, to support tuition fees for selected candidates. This financial assistance is intended for students pursuing a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a STEM field at a U.S. university that accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET). The scholarship amount will be directly disbursed to the university toward the student's Spring 2026 tuition.
What are the important dates and deadlines?
The application process for the DETermined Scholarship is currently open. Interested candidates must submit their complete applications by the deadline of June 30, 2025. The announcement of the selected winner will take place in September 2025, following a multi-stage evaluation process.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for the DETermined Scholarship, applicants must identify as female and be Indian citizens currently residing in India. They should have achieved at least 60% in their science stream academic performance from a recognised Indian institution.
A Duolingo English Test (DET) score of 120 or above is required. In addition, applicants must plan to pursue a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate STEM degree at a U.S. university that accepts DET scores.
According to the notice, the ideal candidate will also demonstrate leadership skills, an innovative mindset, and a genuine commitment to solving community or global challenges. Furthermore, candidates should have intentions to return to India after their studies and exhibit the potential to develop a startup or scalable project.
What is the selection process?
The selection for the DETermined Scholarship involves a three-stage evaluation process. In the first stage, applicants must submit their application through the Manthan portal, which should include their DET score (minimum 120), academic transcripts, personal and academic background details, and a short write-up or video outlining their vision for innovation in STEM.
Shortlisted candidates will move to the STEM Impact Proposal Challenge, where they must present an innovative solution to a significant STEM-related problem affecting their community or the world. This can be done either as a written proposal of up to 1,000 words or a 5-minute video presentation.
The final stage consists of a virtual interview with a panel, where the finalists will discuss their proposed ideas and explain their motivations and goals in greater depth.
How to apply for DETermined Scholarship?
Interested candidates can apply through the Manthan portal, or via Duolingo's website on grants. The portal also offers step-by-step guidance on completing the application and updates on timelines.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
39 minutes ago
- NDTV
"Everyone Liked Gajar Halwa, Aam Ras": Shubhanshu Shukla Tells PM Modi From Space
New Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach International Space Station, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday that he brought "gajar ka halwa, moong dal ka halwa and aam ras" with him and other astronauts with him liked the Indian delicacies. The Prime Minister, who interacted with Group Captain Shukla, asked about his well-being and if he had tasted the 'Gajar ka halwa' he took with him. Yes, I brought gajar ka halwa, moong dal ka halwa and aam ras. I wanted everyone who has joined me from other countries to enjoy the rich Indian culinary. All of us had it together and everyone liked it," Group Captain Shukla said. He said that India looks "very big and grand" from the Space. " Jab pehli baar Bharat ko dekha, Bharat sach mein bohat bhavya dikta hain, jitna ham map pe dekhten hain, usse kahin jyada bada (When we saw India for the first time, we saw that India looks very grand, very big, much bigger than what we see on the map)," Group Captain Shukla said during his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "A short while ago, when I was looking out of the window, we were flying over Hawaii. We see sunrise and sunset 16 times a day from the nation is moving forward at a very great pace," he added. Speaking aboard the ISS, Group Captain Shukla also said that it looks from space that no borders exit on Earth. "The first view was of the Earth and after seeing the Earth from outside, the first thought and the first thing that came to mind was that the Earth looks completely one, no border is visible from outside. When we see the Earth from outside, it seems that no border exists, no state exists, no countries exist. We all are part of humanity, and the Earth is our one home, and all of us are in it," he said. Group Captain Shukla, who is second Indian to reach Space, said he feels very proud as India has reached the International Space Station and it collective achievement of the country. He said he is feeling very emotional and happy after the conversation with PM Modi. He urged youth to work hard, never stop trying and said "the sky is never the limit". "I am feeling very emotional and happy after having a conversation with you and 140 crore Indians. I feel very proud as India has reached the International Space Station...I have learnt a lot in the entire journey. This is a collective achievement of the whole nation...I want to send a message to the younger generation that if you work hard, the future of the nation will be good. The sky is never the limit," Group Captain Shukla said. "The message I would like to give our young generation is that India has seen very bold and high dreams and to fulfil those dreams, we need all of you. There is no single way to success, but one thing that is common in every path is that you should never stop trying. If you adopt this basic mantra, then success may come today or tomorrow, but it will definitely come," he added. With India's first human Space mission "Gaganyaan" programme having entered its final phase, Shubhanshu Shukla said he is absorbing all the lessons and experience like a sponge. "I am confident that these lessons will be highly valuable for us and that we will apply them effectively in the coming missions," he said. "India is progressing at a swift will have its stations in plays a significant role in maintaining calmness, as there are many stressful situations during training and launch. Mindfulness and meditation help a lot in making good decisions," he added. PM Modi said that after the success of Chandrayaan, the youth of the country have developed a new interest towards science. "There is a new enthusiasm to explore space... Today, children not only look at the sky, but they think they can reach it. This spirit is the base of our future space missions... We have to take Mission Gaganyan forward, we have to make our own space station, and we have to ensure that an Indian astronaut lands on the Moon," PM Modi said. Group Captain Shukla said Indian scientists have prepared seven unique experiments for the mission. "I can say with great pride that for the first time Indian scientists have prepared seven unique experiments which I have brought here to the station. The first experiment, which is scheduled today, is on stem experiment focuses on how we can prevent or delay muscle loss in space by taking a specific supplement. We will also see if these supplements can be beneficial for older people on Earth as well," he said.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Our man in space: Shubhanshu Shukla leads the way beyond the stars
The reason why Shukla's Ax-4 space mission experience aboard the ISS is crucial is because it exposes him to a longer duration of stay and conduct of experiments in space. Gaganyaan mission will be much shorter. The experience that Shukla will bring back to the table will be invaluable. It will include the experience of living in space for two weeks, during the lift-off effects on the body, and that of splashdown at the end of the mission. In addition will be the valuable data that he will have gathered through his seven experiments that he will be conducting in space over the 14-day mission onboard the ISS, which will be of crucial relevance for India's own manned space missions in the years ahead. Also, as Shux will have already had the experience of a space mission following the Ax-4 mission, he may likely be among the three Indian astronauts to be on the maiden Gaganyaan mission. The other three Gaganyatris (as Gaganyaan astronauts are called) are Gp Capt Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan and Gp Capt Angad Prathap. Born on October 10, 1985, and a native of Lucknow, Shukla is the youngest of three siblings born to the now-retired government official Shambhu Dayal Shukla and homemaker Asha Shukla. As a 14-year-old, he was inspired by the 1999 Kargil War, which in turn influenced him to join the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Pune, where he got his BSc in Computer Science in 2005. He later underwent training at the Indian Air Force Academy at Dundigal near Hyderabad. He was commissioned as a Flying Officer in June 2006 in the fighter stream of the IAF, turning out to be an impressive air combat leader and later a seasoned test pilot with the experience of flying a slew of aircraft. From Shukla, the fighter pilot of the IAF, where it is believed 'sky is the limit', Shux, the astronaut, now believes 'Sky is never the limit!' for Indians, and is the man who is showing the way beyond it.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
'Shubh-aarambh' of new era: Modi to Shubhanshu
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station. In his interaction with the Indian astronaut, Modi told Shukla, "You are farthest from India but closest to Indians' heart." Citing that his name itself has "Shubh" (auspicious) in it, the PM said that the Group Captain's successful journey to space marks the "shubh-aarambh" (auspicious beginning) of a new era for the youth of the nation. "Aapke naam mein bhi shubh hai aur aapki yatra naye yug ka shubharambh bhi hai," Modi told Shubhanshu. Answering the Prime Minister, the astronaut said it is "not my journey alone but also our country's", adding that he is absorbing these new experiences like a sponge.
