Women Scientists Receive HUL’s Women in STEM Fellowship
Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has announced the winners of the third edition of its prestigious Women in STEM Fellowship, reinforcing its commitment to advancing women-led research and innovation in India.
As part of the fellowship, eight women PhD scholars from leading Indian institutions — Indian Institute of Science (IISc), National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) — have been awarded financial grants to support their doctoral research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The selected fellows will pursue cutting-edge research in Climate Action, Sustainability, Health, and Hygiene, areas that align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to financial support, the fellowship offers exclusive mentorship opportunities with senior leaders at HUL and eminent academics, aimed at strengthening leadership skills and enabling long-term scientific impact.
Award Ceremony at HUL R&D Campus
The fellows were formally recognised at an award ceremony held at HUL’s R&D campus in Bengaluru, attended by prominent women leaders in STEM. Distinguished guests included Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India; Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics; and Aridni Shah, Co-founder and CEO of Immunito AI.
Leadership Perspectives
Speaking at the event, Priya Nair, CEO and Managing Director of HUL, highlighted India’s progress in gender representation in science.
“India has made remarkable progress in STEM education, with women accounting for nearly 43% of STEM graduates — the highest globally. At HUL, we are proud to accelerate this momentum through mentorship, partnerships with premier institutes, and funding research that empowers women innovators,” she said.
Vibhav Sanzgiri, Executive Director, R&D at HUL, noted that the fellowship has grown steadily since its inception in 2023.
“Welcoming eight exceptional fellows from IISc, NCBS, and IIT Madras into our third cohort reflects our sustained commitment to helping women scientists deepen their expertise and create lasting impact in their fields,” he said.
About the Fellowship
Funded through HUL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, the Women in STEM Fellowship supports top women researchers from leading Indian institutes following a rigorous, institute-led selection process. Each fellow receives a financial scholarship for her PhD programme along with long-term mentoring support, designed to nurture scientific excellence and leadership.
With its third cohort now announced, the HUL Women in STEM Fellowship continues to play a significant role in strengthening India’s research ecosystem, fostering gender equity in science, and supporting innovation aligned with national and global development priorities.
Source: Hindustan Unilever Limited press release (2025). https://www.hul.co.in/news/press-releases/2025/women-scientists-receive-huls-women-in-stem-fellowship/
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