Clinton Fellowship for Service in India
Who Can Apply: U.S. citizens or permantent residents or citizens of India – a bachelor's degree by September 1 (before the beginning of the Fellowship period) – between the ages of 21 and 34
IMPORTANT: Fluency in English is required. It is not a requirement for Fellows to speak the local language, however it is considered a valuable skill in the selection process and taken into consideration when placing Fellows with NGOs. Appropriate language abilities are very useful and tend to enable the Fellows to integrate more seamlessly with their host NGO and surrounding communities. Local language ability is usually required in rural placement settings.
Description: The goal of the William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India is to help shape the next generation of leaders committed to impactful change and strengthen civil society to be more efficient and effective.
The Fellowship pairs a select number of highly skilled young professionals with leading NGOs and social enterprises in India in order to accelerate impact and create effective projects that are replicable, scalable, and sustainable. Through ten months of service and fieldwork, Fellows gain knowledge of development on the ground in the fields of education, livelihoods, public health, and social enterprise, honing and harnessing their growing skills as change agents capable of effecting lasting change. Together, Fellows and development sector leaders form dynamic partnerships to exchange knowledge and skills while sharing their passion and commitment to open new ways of looking at the world – ultimately transforming both the individual and organization.
Duration: 10 months
Award Amount: For American Fellows, AIF provides a roundtrip ticket from the USA to India, along with insurance coverage and a monthly stipend. For Indian Fellows, AIF provides domestic travel from their hometowns in India, insurance coverage, and a monthly stipend. The monthly stipends are intended to provide rent, utilities, transportation to and from work, language classes, personal expenses, and food. Fellows are asked to live simply and cost-effectively on par with the local staff of their organizations.
National Deadline: TBA
Selection Criteria:
• General knowledge of the development field and development issues in India.
• Ability to demonstrate a humble appreciation of other cultures and circumstances, and a willingness to acclimate to these differences.
• Thoughtful consideration for the role the Fellowship experience will play in their life.
• Ability and willingness to independently and creatively find ways to be helpful at their host organization.
• Flexibility and adaptability to challenging living and working conditions.
• Local language skills are not required, but considered a highly valuable asset.
Program Requirements: Fellows must abide by host organization work calendars, which commonly involves working Saturdays. Fellows are also required to attend all program events, including Orientation, Midpoint and Endpoint conferences. Fellows must submit monthly progress reports on the status of their Fellowship and specific projects, and more detailed reports at midpoint and endpoint, including end of service documents to detail their projects and experience of the program upon completion of the Fellowship. Each Fellow is required to blog monthly following an annual workplan with specific deliverables and milestones.