The AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship is the U.S. service-focused leg of the American India Foundation’s (AIF) bilateral Fellowship Program.

The Fellowship aims to strengthen the US-India ties by creating a network of changemakers committed to civil society engagement and equipped with the cross-cultural lens, training, as well as network necessary to effectively address critical social issues and drive innovation.

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More About AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship

This fellowship will select five Indian social change professionals annually in a global leadership training opportunity in the United States.

The Banyan Impact Fellows serve full-time with Host Organizations for 14 months to develop leadership skills and learn effective practices. They benefit from dual professional development as well as networking opportunities through the fellowship.

Fellows will participate in the 14-month Blended model. This includes starting remotely full-time in India prior to US arrival․ Moreover, the U.S.-based component of the Fellowship allows participants to engage in group cultural activities like a D.C. Monuments Tour, sporting events, U.S. holiday celebrations, and more.

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Benefits

Atlas Corps sponsors Fellows on the J-1 Trainee visa and covers most visa expenses.

Atlas Corps and The American India Foundation also provide each Fellow with a living stipend to cover basic expenses, a monthly phone plan, emergency health and travel insurance, and round-trip international airfare.

Fellowship Eligibility

• Be an Indian Citizen
• Able to serve remotely from India for four months and on the ground in the US for the remaining duration.
• In  addition, 5 years of relevant experience in the social sector
• Between the ages of 27 to 35 by the program start date
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Also, English proficiency (oral, writing, reading);
• Able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the WHO before the program
• Commitment to return to India and work in the social impact sector for at least two years after the Fellowship
• Committed to enriching learning opportunities for the Fellowship community as well as positively contributing to building U.S.-India bridges of understanding and partnership during their time of service and after
• Moreover, interest/experience in community-based development and diversity and inclusion.

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Application Process

Applicants to the AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship should go through the same online application process as other applicants for the Atlas Corps Fellowship.

Select applicants will get an invitation to the interview round and must complete the Banyan Fellowship supplement from December 2021 – February 2022.

Successful candidates will be confirmed as semi-finalists by spring 2022 and are eligible to be considered for 14-month full-time Fellowships, starting in July 2022.

Candidates not selected for the AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship may be considered for other Atlas Corps Fellowships or future AIF Banyan US Fellowships. To learn more and to apply, please visit apply.atlascorps.org.

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