What is a Fellowship?
A fellowship is a learning opportunity provided for a short or long duration to help graduates improve their professional skills, academic, and/or research experience. These are usually sponsored by institutions or organizations. The term fellowship may also be used to refer to entry-level jobs in some instances.
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Pursuing a fellowship helps a student boost their credentials and hone their skills improving their future career prospects. Some of the perks of a fellowship include monetary benefits, reimbursement for travel, free accommodation, and health insurance. Students who are best in their fields in terms of academic performance and potential to contribute to their field are selected to be fellows.
Top Graduate Fellowships in India
1. Teach for India Fellowship
About the Fellowship:
The Teach for India fellowship aims to bridge the inequities in education by deploying the best minds to teach and train students in under-resourced or low-income government and private schools. This program selects students with leadership qualities, critical thinking skills, and commitment to the cause and strives to build them into future leaders in their field of interest.
Eligibility:
- Should be an Indian citizen or of Indian origin
- Should have completed UG in any discipline
- Should have strong English language skills
- No age limit
Duration: 2 years
Area/Field: Education - Teaching English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies for 1-10 grade students
Benefits: A salary of Rs 20,412 + HRA of Rs. 5,300 to Rs. 10,000 (if required to shift)+ allowance for school supplies per month
Application: January/March/September/November
Selection Process: Application Form+Online Test→ Phone Interview→ Assessment Centre
Website: https://apply.teachforindia.org/
2. Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship
About the Fellowship:
The Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship is an award provided by the Government of India under the Waste to Wealth Mission. It aims to support those who have worked in the area of waste management, developed innovative solutions, promoted community involvement and practical measures for tackling waste management issues. Candidates will be evaluated based on their proposed action plan and expected outcome or impact.
Eligibility:
- UG, PG, or Research students in any discipline involved in waste management community work - Category B
Duration: 1 year
Area/Field: Waste Management - Supporting interested candidates to reduce waste and promote scientific and sustainable waste management measures
Benefits: A stipend of Rs 1000 per month
Application: February
Selection Process: Basic Screening → Assessment of Information Shared → Result Announcement
Website: https://www.wastetowealth.gov.in/fellowship
3. SBI Youth for India Fellowship
About the Fellowship:
The SBI Youth for India Fellowship provides youth with the opportunity to work at the rural level to tackle and resolve basic issues. Fellows may be assigned to any of the 12 programs as part of the fellowships-education, environmental protection, health, food security, rural livelihoods, alternate energy, traditional crafts, social entrepreneurship, self-governance, women empowerment, technology, and water.
Eligibility:
- Should be an Indian citizen or of Indian origin
- Should have completed UG in any discipline
- Should be between 21 to 32 years of age on the day of commencement of the fellowship
Duration: 1 year 1 month (13 months)
Area/Field: Social Change - Providing the opportunity for youth to create a positive change from the grass root levels by working for rural development
Benefits: A monthly allowance of Rs 15,000 for living expenses + Rs 1000 for travel expenses + travel expense for training + MedClaim Policy during the program.
Readjustment allowance of Rs 50,000 and a certificate from the SBI Foundation on successful completion.
Application: April
Selection Process: Preliminary Application→ Online Assessment→ Personality Assessment and Interview
Website: https://youthforindia.org/
4. Gandhi Fellowship
About the Fellowship:
The Gandhi Fellowship trains young Indians to inculcate social-emotional and 21st-century skills in themselves and the public education system in India. Fellows in this program engage in-field support, community immersion, influence without authority and non-violent communication, Vipassana, and leadership boot camps. These fellows learn through workshops, online courses, immersive experiences, and learning journeys.
Eligibility:
- Should have scored at least 55% in 12th
- Should have completed UG or be in the final year of UG/PG as of June that year
- Should be less than 26 years of age as of March that year
- Should be single
Duration: 2 years
Area/Field: Leadership - Training students in transformational leadership skills by working in the public systems in India
Benefits: Grant of Rs 14,000 per month+ medical insurance + travel allowance
Application: 2nd October onwards
Selection Process: Registration→ Application→ Review Process 1→ Group Discussion & Personal Interaction→ Review Process 2→ Induction into Fellowship
Website: http://gandhifellowship.org/
5. LAMP Fellowship
About the Fellowship:
The LAMP Fellowship provides candidates with the opportunity to learn the intricacies of lawmaking and public policy through intensive training and by working in close proximity with Members of the Parliament. These fellows are tasked with the responsibilities of conducting research to develop questions, curate speeches, draft bills, etc., and also engage in workshops and field visits for learning.
Eligibility:
- Should be a citizen of India
- Should have completed UG in any discipline
- Should be 25 years of age or below
Duration: 1 year (1 month training + 10-11 months mentoring by a Member of Parliament)
Area/Field: Lawmaking and Public policy
Benefits: A stipend of Rs 20,000 per month
Application: December
Selection Process: Online Application→ Evaluation→ Interview→ Selection
Website: https://www.prsindia.org/lamp
If you’re ready to invest in your own personal and professional development – and make the world a better place in the process – apply to any of the fellowships that interest you. It is an opportunity to "do something extraordinary," and it also provides you with the resources, support, and professional network to pursue goals that you would not be able to achieve in a typical job or internship.
These are some of the top fellowships that can be explored. However, keep in mind that there are many more opportunities out there and all you need to do is explore them based on your interests. If you still have any doubts about the fellowship opportunities or which one to choose, drop your career-related query at support@margforyou.com
