Returning to STEM After Time Away

STEM career re-entry programs exist - and they are some of the most consequential programs in the broader women-in-STEM ecosystem. Here's how they work, what to expect, and how to find one that fits your situation.

Why this is a category

The mid-career attrition pattern in STEM - women leaving research and technical roles at significantly higher rates than men in the 5-to-15-year post-degree window - is one of the most documented and least solved problems in the field. The single most-effective response has been the explicit re-entry program: structured funding, mentorship, and institutional re-attachment specifically designed for women returning to STEM careers after a break.

Major programs by country

• India: KIRAN Women Scientist Scheme (WOS-A, WOS-B, WOS-C). Multi-year research funding administered by the Department of Science and Technology.
• United Kingdom: The Daphne Jackson Trust Fellowships. The original re-entry program model.
• South Korea: WISET Re-entry Program.
• Germany: Wiedereinstieg in die Wissenschaft Fellowships.
• Australia: ARC DECRA Returner streams.
• Multiple US universities - MIT, Caltech, Stanford operate institution-specific re-entry programs.
• Schlumberger Faculty for the Future Fellowships - open to women returning to PhD programs.

What to expect

• Multi-year funding (typically 2-4 years)
• Part-time or flexible structure (acknowledging caregiving commitments)
• A faculty or research-institute mentor
• A peer cohort of other returners
• Skills refresher options (current methods, current literature, current tools)

How to find one

For programs filtered by country and field, see the re-entry programs section. Many programs have specific eligibility windows (typically 2 to 10 years away from active STEM work) and discipline-specific tracks.