Women are an important section of the workforce, more particularly in the science & technology (S&T) domain. However, a large number of well-qualified women get left out of the S&T activities due to various circumstances which are usually typical to the gender. The challenges faced by them are several but most often the "break in career" arises out of motherhood and family responsibilities. To address such issues, Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched "Women Scientists Scheme (WOS)" during 2002-03. This initiative primarily aimed at providing opportunities to women scientists and technologists between the age group of 27-57 years who had a break in their career but desired to return to mainstream. Through this endeavour of the Department, concerted efforts have been made to give women a strong foothold into the scientific profession, help them re-enter into the mainstream and provide a launch pad for further forays into the field of science and technology.

In an attempt to enhance the participation of Women Scientists in Biotechnology Research, the Department of Biotechnology launched a Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation Programme (Bio-CARe) for women Scientists. The programme is mainly for Career Development of employed/ unemployed women Scientists upto 55 years of age for whom it is the first extramural research grant. The scheme is open for all areas of Life Science / biology (including agriculture, veterinary science and medicine). There is a Research Grant Opportunity (RGO), under which a 3-5 year research grant is provided. The purpose is to build capacities for women Scientists employed fulltime in Universities and small research laboratories or unemployed women Scientists’ after a career break so as to help them undertake independent R&D projects. Under this scheme the women Scientists who are unemployed will be provided a monthly emoluments ranging from Rs. 50,000/- to 60,000/- p.m. The employed women Scientists in addition to salary will get an amount of Rs.10,000/- p.m as an incentive. A research grant of Upto Rs. 50.00 lakhs is provided

Women who have passed Class XI (Delhi/NCR & Maharastra) Minimum 85% PCM/PCB. Should be in the current academic year.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) recognizes the contributions of senior and young women scientists in the country who are working in the areas of biology and biotechnology and have made outstanding contributions in research, technology and product development through two separate awards.

National Bioscience Award for Career Development (NBACD) recognizes outstanding contributions of young bio-scientists below 45 years through a grant for research projects to help in their career development. The award aims to boost outstanding research in basic and applied biosciences can be granted to 10 candidates for a given financial year. It carries a cash prize of Rs 1 Lakhs, a citation and Rs 3 Lakhs/year as research grant for three years.

TTo encourage the women Scientist / Engineer in the state, the Government of Karnataka has instituted an award in the name of Dr. Kalpana Chawla in the year 2003. This award is given to a woman Scientist who has made outstanding contributions in her field for the development of Science or Technology in the state. These awards carry a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand), a memento and a citation.