Duolingo English Test (DET) and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India has announced that applications are open for the ‘DETermined’ scholarship. The DET scholarship is a financial aid program specifically for Indian women in STEM professions. The scholarship provides USD 30,000 or around ₹25 lakh as a one-time grant to help pay for tuition for undergraduate or postgraduate studies in the US. The scholarship money will be paid directly to the institution to cover the student's tuition in the spring of 2026. The Manthan portal is currently accepting applications for the program, which aims to close the financial gap for accomplished Indian women who want to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) abroad.
UGC data indicates that women's enrolment in STEM fields increased from 38.4 per cent 10 years ago to 42.6 per cent in 2024, according to an official release. Despite these advancements, many people are still unable to enroll in prestigious international universities due to budgetary constraints. The scholarship aims to resolve this gap.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Indian citizens living in India and identify as female in order to be eligible for the DETermined Scholarship. They ought to have graduated from an accredited Indian university with at least a 60 per cent grade in their science stream. A score of 120 or above on the Duolingo English Test (DET) is necessary. Candidates must also intend to enroll full-time in an undergraduate or graduate STEM program at a US university that recognises DET results. It also states that the ideal applicant should also have leadership abilities, a creative attitude, and a sincere dedication to resolving local or global issues. Candidates should also demonstrate the ability to create a startup or scalable project and intend to return to India after completing their education.
Selection Process
A three-step evaluation method is used to choose recipients of the DETermined Scholarship. Candidates must first apply via the Manthan site, providing their academic transcripts, personal and academic background information, DET score (minimum 120), and a brief essay or video describing their vision for STEM innovation. Shortlisted candidates will then advance to the STEM Impact Proposal Challenge, where they will have to offer a creative solution to a major STEM issue that impacts their community or the entire world.
This can be done as a five-minute video presentation or as a 1,000-word written proposal. In the last phase, which entails a panel interview conducted virtually, the finalists will go over their suggested concepts and provide a more thorough explanation of their reasons and objectives.
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