Fellowship Application

Embark India Development Fellowship

Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM)

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  • Expert
  • 65000
  • Work from office
  • New Delhi , New Delhi, Delhi

Requirements

The Embark India Development Fellowship is a flagship program designed to nurture young professionals as partners in India’s development journey. This unique fellowship places young professionals at the heart of development policy and governance, where they will work within key public institutions, departments, and agencies. Fellows will assist in ongoing and new development initiatives, conduct evidence-based research, and co-create innovative solutions.

Anchored in the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the program offers a robust capacity-building framework that covers development theories, public policy, and governance systems from "Panchayat to Parliament." Through strategic mentorship and immersive field placements, fellows will gain the skills, exposure, and experience to drive impactful, research-driven solutions to real-world development policy challenges.

Download Application Template here.

Objective

Promote youth engagement in national development policy and governance. Build leadership capacities of young professionals to understand and engage with public systems. Bridge grassroots realities by conducting field research, consulting stakeholders, and co-creating development policy strategies. Generate high-quality, evidence-based outputs to assist innovation and decision-making in government.

Candidate Instructions: Carefully review the fellowship web page and brochure before starting the application.

  • Prepare your CV using the template given: Application Template .
  • Download the template, fill in the details, and upload it in PDF format with file name: YOURNAME_CV.
  • Attach your highest educational qualification degree certificate and masked Aadhaar card in the same PDF file.
  • Read through the Selection Framework to understand eligibility.
  • Be prepared to attach a letter of recommendation from a mentor or authority. This is desirable but not mandatory.
  • If shortlisted, attend the mandatory three-day Virtual Bootcamp Session.
  • Note that final selection is competitive – only 20 fellows will be chosen from among 100 participants in the virtual sessions.
  • Selected fellows must attend the 30-day residential Bootcamp in Bengaluru (all expenses covered except travel) before placement.
  • Selected fellows must be willing to relocate to Delhi for the six-month fellowship placement.
  • Declare that you are not facing any criminal charges.
  • Declare any previous association with GRAAM (internship, employment, or other).
  • Earlier connections are not a disqualifier but must be disclosed.
  • Affirm willingness to participate in all required program stages.
  • Understand that this is a multi-stage competitive process and application does not guarantee selection.
  • Use simple, clear, and accurate information in the application.

Roles and Responsibilities

We are seeking a diverse and dynamic cohort of fellows to drive a new era of governance. Our program is designed for three distinct professional streams, each bringing a unique skill set to the fellowship.

Mandatory Criteria

  • Age: Up to 35 years as of 01st January 2026.
  • Education: A postgraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised institution.
  • We highly encourage candidates with academic backgrounds in public policy, governance, social sciences, public finance, economics, law, management, or a related field.

1. The Aspiring Governance Professional – For Fresh Postgraduates & Recent Alumni

  • You are at the beginning of your professional journey, eager to contribute to India’s development story.
  • This stream is for exceptional postgraduate students looking for a high-impact launchpad for a career in public policy and governance.
  • No prior work experience is required, but a strong portfolio of internships, academic research, or project work is mandatory.
  • Candidates with prior fellowship experience will have an edge.

2. The Social Sector Catalyst – For Experienced Social Sector Professionals

  • You have a deep, on-the-ground understanding of social and development challenges.
  • This stream is for professionals with proven experience in the non-profit or social enterprise sector who wish to leverage their field-level insights to influence policy and governance from within.
  • Eligibility: A minimum of three years of professional experience in the social sector.

3. The Corporate Change Agent – For Corporate to Public Sector Transitioners

  • You bring a wealth of strategic, analytical, and managerial skills from the corporate world.
  • This stream is for seasoned professionals passionate about using their business acumen to solve complex public challenges and contribute to nation-building.
  • Eligibility: A minimum of five years of professional experience in the corporate sector.

If you identify with any of these streams and are driven by a passion for creating impactful change, we encourage you to apply and become part of this transformative mission.

Selection will be based on performance in a national-level virtual bootcamp, interviews, and thematic alignment with placement institutions.


Download Application Template here.

Skills Required

Research Policy Analysis Data Analysis Program Evaluation Critical Thinking Design Thinking Report Writing Publishing Communication Networking Program Management
Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM)

About Company

GRAAM is a development research and public policy engagement initiative (think-and-act tank) in India. GRAAM’s extensive expertise spans over policy research, program evaluation, community engagement, policy engagement, impact consultation and academic engagements. GRAAM works in collaboration with all the four key stakeholders of development i.e. Government, Citizenry, Civil Society Organizations, and Corporate. Complementing strengths of each sector is essential to achieve the development goals. GRAAM aims to ensure the ‘voices’ of the communities at the grassroots are significantly accounted for in the process of development.

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