In the May’25 newsletter, we bring you a round-up of exciting updates in networking and mentorship, science communication, community building, and education—specially curated opportunities, stories, and resources to inform, inspire, and empower the life science community.
And that’s not all—IndiaBioscience Outreach Grants are just around the corner! So, if you are a young investigator with an idea of communicating science with the public, stay tuned for the call.
IndiaBioscience invites applications for the Regional Young Investigators’ Meeting Grants (RYIM Grants) 2025 – 2026. These grants support Young Investigator (YI)-led initiatives that build on the ethos of national YIMs, strengthening local scientific communities, and fostering collaborative leadership among YIs across the country. If you have attended a YIM in the past and want to create a network of young investigators with a stronger voice in India’s scientific ecosystem in your region, this could be the place to start.
The application deadline is 21 May 2025.
How it started?
IndiaBioscience launched the Regional Young Investigator Meetings (RYIMs) in 2018 to strengthen local networks and promote regional collaborations among researchers and research professionals. Born out of community-driven discussions at the 10th Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM) in Thiruvananthapuram, RYIMs address region-specific needs and challenges.
The final Regional Young Investigators’ Meeting (RYIM) for 2024-2025 was held from 19 to 21 March 2025, at the National Brain Research Centre (NBRC) in Manesar and Ashoka University in Sonipat. Centred around the theme "Building Networks and Collaborations in Interdisciplinary Science," the three-day event featured scientific talks, mentor discussions, and networking opportunities. A highlight was the "Crafting Your Career" workshop on 20 March, aimed at fostering professional development among early-career researchers. Read the complete report here.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
IndiaBioscience Outreach Grants 2025-2026
IndiaBioscience Outreach Grants support Young Investigators in bringing science to the public through collaboration with students, science communicators, science artists, and other life science professionals.
The sixth call for IndiaBioscience Outreach Grants (2025-2026) will be announced soon.
If you are currently engaged in an outreach project or have an idea in mind, now is the time to start preparing!
Stay tuned for more information.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
In our science communication vertical, we published several columns and news articles last month.
Scroll down to get a glimpse of these articles below!
We bring to you the new series of articles under the Journey of a Young Investigator (JOYI) 2025. This collection celebrates the stories of young investigators who will attend YIM 2025 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
We hope that these stories will serve as inspiration for other young investigators in India as well as for those hoping to launch their scientific careers in India in the near future. Read the articles below!
In this final article of the Journey of a Young Investigator 2025 series, Sudipta Tung from the Department of Biology, Ashoka University, writes about how his early research interactions shaped his scientific interests and the trials and tribulations of establishing and running a Drosophila evolution lab.
Pragya Chaube wrote about the Genome India Project, an effort to sequence 10,000 genomes from 83 population groups across the country, representing a turning point in India’s transition to precision health. While heralding a health genomics revolution, the project raises pressing concerns about long-standing disparities in global genomics research, where South Asian populations have been grossly underrepresented. As India enters this new frontier, issues of data privacy, informed consent, and community sovereignty will be paramount. To fully realise the potential of genomic medicine for all, India needs to establish an inclusive, ethically grounded framework aligned with international benchmarks and culturally responsive governance that prioritises scientific advancement and social justice.
Our former intern, Aishwarya Segu, asked representatives from different institutions and universities across India who attended the 17th Young Investigators’ Meeting (YIM 2025) in Agra about faculty hiring at science organisations in India. Read about how they responded.
Akshita Puri Bajaj writes about the development of classification-based machine-learning models for toxicity assessment of plastic packaging-associated chemicals by a team of researchers at Jadavpur University. These models can efficiently predict the toxicity of chemicals, thereby providing a valuable tool for researchers as well as regulatory bodies, overcoming health concerns.
Imagine Raj from the movie Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge rushing to Balwant Singh’s store to buy an antibiotic without a prescription. How would and should Singh react to this? Would those reactions change if Raj is buying the antibiotic for Singh’s daughter, Simran?
Deepti Jain, Professor at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, shares her career trajectory, advice and opinions on striving as a researcher in life sciences in India. The mentor of YIM 2025, in this “10 Women, 10 Questions,” addresses the necessity of equality and the power of mentorship in science.
India’s National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) envisions an education system that aligns with the aspirations of 21st-century learning. It highlights the importance of nurturing human potential, strengthening institutional capacity, and fostering regional ecosystems for education, research, and innovation. The policy also aims to promote inclusivity and equitable quality education while cultivating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
#EducatorsMonday
On the last Monday of every month, we post a question for educators on all our social media handles. We invite you to post your answers, see responses by others, and enjoy the threads of conversation.
This Educator’s Monday, we asked the question: How can universities and colleges improve the transition from academic life to professional careers for graduates?
Are you following our social media campaign #ScienceJobsTuesdays to stay updated about jobs, grants and events on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn? Subscribe to our monthly Jobs and Internships newsletter here, if you haven’t already.
IndiaBioscience will continue its journey with you through shared stories, experiences, and opportunities that lie ahead. If you have an inspiring story to share, an insightful article to contribute, or a collaborative event idea, we invite you to reach out to us at hello[at]indiabioscience[dot]org. Your active engagement contributes immensely to our shared journey.
