About the Event
The ACM-W India Grad Cohort for Indian women in research is a flagship mentoring initiative designed to support, inspire, and empower women graduate students in computing and related disciplines across India. The 2026 edition of the event will be hosted at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, bringing together aspiring researchers, accomplished academics, and leading industry professionals in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
The Grad Cohort model was originally pioneered by Computing Research Association – Women (CRA-W/CRA-WP) in the United States, where it has played a transformative role in supporting women throughout their graduate studies and research careers in computing. Inspired by this vision, ACM-W India launched its own Grad Cohort initiative in 2018, tailored to the Indian context.
Since its inception, the ACM-W India Grad Cohort has grown into a prominent national platform for mentoring and networking among women researchers in computing. Held annually at leading institutions across India, the program focuses on empowering women graduate students by fostering meaningful interactions with accomplished researchers from academia and industry.
The 2025 edition of Grad Cohort ACM-W India, hosted at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, was a resounding success and witnessed enthusiastic participation from women graduate students representing institutions across the country. The event featured inspiring keynote talks, engaging mentoring circles, and insightful panel discussions with distinguished researchers and industry leaders. Participants had the opportunity to discuss their research journeys, receive valuable career guidance, and build lasting professional networks. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees and mentors highlighted the program’s growing impact in nurturing confidence, collaboration, and research aspirations among women in computing.
The primary goal of the Grad Cohort is to encourage and sustain the participation of women in computing research by providing mentorship, guidance, and a strong support network. Through keynote talks, mentoring sessions, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, the program creates opportunities for participants to engage with experienced researchers and gain insights into navigating the research journey.
Specifically, the event aims to:
- Provide mentorship and career guidance to women pursuing Master’s and Ph.D. programs in computing and related fields.
- Help participants navigate the challenges of research careers, including publishing, networking, securing opportunities, and maintaining work-life balance.
- Create a safe, inclusive, and motivating environment where women researchers can connect with peers and role models.
- Promote collaboration and long-term engagement among women in computing research across academic and industry landscapes.
Grad Cohort ACM-W India 2026 continues this tradition of mentorship and community building by bringing together the next generation of women researchers with leading voices in computing research. The program seeks to empower participants with the knowledge, confidence, and networks needed to pursue impactful research careers and contribute meaningfully to the evolving computing landscape.
We invite applications from passionate women graduate students who are eager to engage with mentors, expand their research horizons, and become part of a growing community of women shaping the future of computing research in India.
Important Dates
Last date for Registration: Apr 2, 2026 17th April 2026
Event: 20th – 21st Jul 2026
Eligibility
- Open to female research scholars currently enrolled in Master’s or Doctoral programs at any recognized Indian university.
- ACM membership is not mandatory to apply.
- Due to limited availability of travel grants, only selected applicants will be notified via email regarding their selection.
Selected candidates must confirm their participation within the specified deadline by paying a registration fee of ₹500. Failure to do so will result in the seat being offered to another applicant.
Event Grants
- Selected outstation academic research scholars will receive partial travel support (up to ₹6,000) and accommodation at IIT Madras hostels, sponsored by ACM India.
- Participants are expected to book their own travel, and reimbursement will be processed after attendance at the event.
- Details regarding selection and accommodation will be communicated via email to the chosen applicants.
- Participants from industry and those residing in and around Chennai are also encouraged to apply, but they will be required to arrange their own travel and accommodation for attending the event.
Tentative Schedule
Coming Soon…..
Speakers
Coming Soon…..
Registration Link
Register NowSteering Committee
Meenakshi D’souza
President, ACM India Council
Professor & HOD of Department of Computer Science at IIIT Bangalore
Geetanjali Kale
Chair, ACM India Women Committee
Associate Professor. at PICT Pune
Rutvi Shah
Past Chair, ACM India Women Committee
Associate Professor, Ganpat University
About the Host Institute
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), situated in the heart of Chennai, stands as a global leader in higher education, transformative research, and technological innovation. Established in 1959, the institute has consistently secured the top rank in India’s National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), a testament to its unwavering commitment to academic rigor and its role as a catalyst for industrial growth.
IIT Madras is home to a world-class community of scholars and practitioners working at the frontiers of Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Robotics, and Computational Sciences. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure—including the pioneering IITM Research Park—the institute bridges the gap between lab-scale discovery and real-world application, fostering an ecosystem where interdisciplinary collaboration thrives.
Driven by a mission of equity and excellence, the institute is a staunch advocate for diversity and inclusion. Through targeted mentoring programs and dedicated WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) initiatives, IIT Madras actively works to dismantle barriers and empower women researchers to take on leadership roles within the global computing landscape.
As the host for Grad Cohort ACM-W India 2026, IIT Madras provides an unparalleled backdrop for this gathering. The lush, 250-hectare forest campus offers an inspiring sanctuary for emerging women researchers to engage with leading minds, exchange transformative ideas, and forge the professional networks that will define the future of computing in India and beyond.
Organising Committee
Akanksha Agrawal
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Alpana Dubey
Innovation Research Principal Director at Accenture
Vice Chair, ACM India Women Committee
Mukulika Maity
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering Institute
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Shweta Agrawal
Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Sriparna Saha
Associate Professor at Department of CSE, IIT Patna
ACM India Women Committee member
Student Volunteers
Coming Soon…..
Sponsors
Coming Soon…..
Google Maps
Contact us
Address
Indian Institute of Technology Madras IIT P.O., Chennai 600 036 INDIA
How to reach / Venue address
1. From Chennai International Airport (MAA)
Distance: ~12–15 km | Time: 30–45 mins
- Cab/Taxi (Recommended): Use the Prepaid Taxi counter at the airport or apps like Uber or Ola.
- Tip: Ask the driver to drop you at the In-gate on Sardar Patel Road. If your destination is deep inside (like a specific hostel or the ICSR building), request them to drop you inside, as the campus is massive.
- Metro: Take the Blue Line from the Airport to Little Mount or Guindy station. From there, it is a short 5–10 minute auto-rickshaw or bus ride to the IIT main gate.
2. From Chennai Central Railway Station (MAS)
Distance: ~13 km | Time: 45–60 mins
- Taxi/Auto: Available right outside the station. Prepaid booths are also present.
- Local Train (MRTS): Walk to the Chennai Park Town station (across the road) and take a train toward Velachery. Get off at the Kasturba Nagar station, which is right across from the IIT Madras main gate.
- Bus: Use the subway to cross the road to the bus stop. Bus numbers 19B and 5C frequent the IIT Madras (CLRI/Adyar Gate) route.
3. From Chennai Egmore Railway Station (MS)
Distance: ~11 km | Time: 35–50 mins
- Taxi/Auto: Readily available.
- Bus: Look for bus number 23C, which drops you directly at the IIT Madras main gate.