Entries open for Just and Sustainable Transitions Fellowship Program (India)

Deadline: 14-Jun-2026

Applications are now open for the Just and Sustainable Transitions Fellowship Program, which supports field-based research, documentation, and storytelling on ecological, economic, and social transitions across India.

The fellowship aims to explore how communities experience and respond to major changes driven by extraction, industrialization, environmental challenges, and development processes. Selected fellows will receive financial support to conduct fieldwork and produce in-depth public-interest writing on just and equitable transitions.

About the Fellowship

The Just and Sustainable Transitions Fellowship Program supports researchers, journalists, practitioners, writers, and grassroots workers interested in documenting transition processes across India.

The fellowship emphasizes grounded fieldwork and community-centered narratives that examine the impacts of development, resource extraction, environmental change, and economic transformation on people and landscapes.

Through long-form and public-facing writing, the programme seeks to contribute to broader discussions on sustainability, justice, equity, and inclusive development.

Focus Areas

The fellowship supports work related to:

• Mining and resource extraction regions
• Energy transition corridors
• Industrial zones
• Emerging industrial regions
• Agriculture transitions
• Agroecological transitions
• Ecological restoration
• Conservation landscapes
• Transport transitions
• Infrastructure development
• Urban transitions
• Post-extractive futures
• Community-led governance
• Public finance systems
• Welfare systems
• Institutional mechanisms linked to transition
• Environmental and social change

Purpose of the Fellowship

The programme aims to:

• Support field-based research and documentation
• Amplify community experiences of transition
• Promote understanding of just and sustainable development
• Document environmental and social transformations
• Generate public-interest knowledge
• Encourage evidence-based storytelling
• Highlight community-led responses and solutions
• Strengthen discourse on equitable transitions

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• Fellowship stipend of ₹40,000
• Travel support of up to ₹10,000 where required
• Mentorship support, subject to thematic needs and mentor availability
• Opportunities to contribute to public discussions on sustainability and transition

Eligible Applicants

The fellowship is open to:

• Indian citizens
• Researchers
• Journalists
• Practitioners
• Independent writers
• Grassroots workers

Applicants should have:

• 2–3 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated interest in field-based research
• Experience in documentation and writing
• Strong interest in transition-related issues

Relevant fields include:

• Livelihoods
• Labour
• Environment
• Ecology
• Governance
• Public policy
• Media
• Related social and development sectors

Fellowship Deliverables

Selected fellows are expected to produce:

Long-Form Article

• One article of 6,000–8,000 words
• Based on fieldwork and research findings
• Focused on transition-related themes

Public-Facing Article

• One article of 800–1,200 words
• Derived from the longer research piece
• Written for broader public dissemination

These outputs are intended to strengthen public understanding of just and equitable transition processes.

Expected Outcomes

The fellowship seeks to generate:

• High-quality field-based documentation
• Community-centered narratives
• Evidence-informed analysis
• Greater public awareness of transition challenges
• Insights into environmental and economic change
• Knowledge on equitable development pathways
• Documentation of local experiences and solutions

Importance of the Fellowship

The programme provides an opportunity to examine critical issues shaping India’s future while amplifying voices often overlooked in policy and development debates.

Key benefits include:

• Financial support for independent fieldwork
• Opportunities to publish in-depth research-based writing
• Increased visibility for transition-related issues
• Contribution to public dialogue on sustainability
• Support for emerging researchers and writers
• Documentation of community experiences and perspectives

Application Tips

Strong applications typically demonstrate:

• A clear fieldwork plan
• Strong understanding of transition issues
• Relevant professional or research experience
• Well-defined research questions
• Community-centered approaches
• Strong writing and documentation skills
• Practical and achievable project scope
• Potential for public impact

Common Application Mistakes

Applications may be weakened by:

• Unclear research objectives
• Limited connection to fellowship themes
• Weak fieldwork methodology
• Lack of community engagement
• Overly broad project proposals
• Insufficient writing experience
• Unrealistic timelines or outputs
• Poorly defined expected outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the fellowship?

• To support field-based research and documentation on ecological, economic, and social transitions across India.
• To generate public understanding of just and sustainable transition processes.

How much financial support is available?

• Fellowship stipend of ₹40,000.
• Travel support of up to ₹10,000 where required.

Who can apply?

• Indian citizens.
• Researchers.
• Journalists.
• Practitioners.
• Independent writers.
• Grassroots workers.

What experience is required?

• Approximately 2–3 years of experience in relevant fields.
• Demonstrated interest in field research, documentation, and writing.

What topics can be explored?

• Mining and extraction.
• Energy transitions.
• Industrial development.
• Agriculture and agroecology.
• Ecological restoration.
• Urban and infrastructure transitions.
• Community governance.
• Public finance and welfare systems.

What outputs are fellows required to produce?

• One long-form article of 6,000–8,000 words.
• One public-facing article of 800–1,200 words.

Is mentorship provided?

• Mentorship support may be available.
• Support depends on thematic requirements and mentor availability.

Conclusion

The Just and Sustainable Transitions Fellowship Program offers an opportunity for researchers, journalists, writers, and practitioners to document how communities across India are navigating environmental, economic, and social change. Through field-based research, financial support, and publication opportunities, the fellowship seeks to deepen public understanding of equitable and sustainable transition pathways while amplifying local experiences and perspectives.

For more information, visit CFA.