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.
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