Deadline: 30-Apr-21
Applications are now open for the 2021-22 American India Foundation’s (AIF’s) Banyan Impact Fellowship, it is an interdisciplinary experiential learning program that places young professionals from India and the U.S. in service with development organizations in India.
Through collaboration and capacity-building, Fellows and local communities exchange knowledge and skills to steer projects that advance social and economic development. Fellows learn about grassroots development and inclusive leadership.
AIF provides Fellows with a living stipend, health insurance, professional development, mentorship, and programmatic benefits to enable their service.
Who are the Fellows?
- The Fellowship recruits consist of young professionals from India and the U.S., between 21 and 35 years of age, with remarkably diverse professional and personal backgrounds, who bring a passion for community based development. AIF selects, trains, and places these individuals directly with partnering implementation organizations across India.
- Fellows serve through contributing their efforts and skills to developing ongoing initiatives, as well as strategizing new projects for the host organizations.
Program Date
- November 1, 2021 – July 2, 2022.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be either U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, or Indian Citizens.
- Applicants must be young professionals between the age of 21-35 by the program start of November 1, 2021.
- Applicants must have completed a least a Bachelor’s or other undergraduate degree before the program start of November 1, 2021.
- Applicants must be willing and able to serve on the ground in India for full duration of the program. As of April 6th, 2021, AIF is planning for the program to be hosted fully in person on the ground in India. Should the situation around COVID-19 drastically change by then, AIF may shift to a hybrid model.
- Applicants must be willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine before the start of the program.
- Applicants must bring both skills and experience, as well as an eagerness to learn with host communities on the ground.
- Applicants must be willing to learn a local language if required for the project.
- Applicants must be committed to enriching learning opportunities for the fellowship community and positively contribute to building U.S.-India bridges of understanding and partnership during their time of service and after.
Fellowship Requirements
Fellows are expected to complete the following during their service in India:
- Meeting or exceeding expectations of the Fellowship, including upholding their commitment to AIF and their host organization
- Participation at Orientation, Midpoint, and Endpoint, and other program related events
- Adherence to the policies and agreements between Fellow, AIF and partner organizations
- Full completion of the Fellowship program
- Timely submission of monthly and quarterly reports and other program deliverables
- Contribution of regular posts on the AIF Blog
- Prompt settlement of finances and logistical items throughout the Fellowship
- Completion of end of service documents and presentations
For more information, visit https://aif.org/fellowship/fellowship-application/