Applications are invited for the 2022-23 AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship for service in the U.S.
About the AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship Program
The AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship is an immersive volunteer service program with immense strategic importance in the US-India corridor. By facilitating exchange and collaboration between young professionals from India and the US, the program aims to shape the next generation of leaders committed to positive and sustainable change and create a lasting US-India relationship by broadening the existing constituency of future leaders, civil society and other stakeholders.
Through its emphasis on a servant-leadership model, the bilateral program places young professionals from the US and India in service with communities and organizations across the two countries for mutual learning, capacity building, and leadership development in support of social justice. Fellows work on projects closely linked to Sustainable Development Goals and create sustainable impact through service and fieldwork across diverse thematic areas such as education, public health, livelihoods, social inclusion, minority rights, Dalit and tribal rights, climate justice, LGBTQ+ rights, gender, arts, sports, CSR, and many others.
Since 2001, AIF has selected, trained, and supported 501 Fellows and 216 partner organizations across 25 Indian states to scale impact, catalyze change, and build the next generation of socially-minded change makers. As the AIF Fellowship Program, formerly known as the William J. Clinton Fellowship, enters its third decade under a new avatar; ‘The Banyan Impact Fellowship’, we are proud to expand on the growth of the existing version of the program and add to it a new segment.
Starting 2022, in addition to supporting service opportunities for Indians and Americans across Indian civil society organizations, the Fellowship Program will send social change professionals from India to serve across organizations in the US for capacity building and leadership development, thereby furthering our mission of creating lasting ties between India and the US.
The AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship, Empowered by Atlas Corps for service in the United States.
About the Program
The AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship for service in the United States is the U.S. service-focused leg of our bilateral Fellowship Program and is being implemented through a partnership with Atlas Corps, a global leader in the design and implementation of long-term Fellowship programs. By creating a channel to enable Indian working professionals to serve across a diverse range of US based organizations including large nonprofits, international entities, smaller domestic organizations and corporate entities, this Fellowship furthers the mission of the Banyan Impact Fellowship Program and accentuates its importance and relevance in the US-India corridor.
Starting 2022, AIF will add the US service element to its existing India service-based Fellowship model to expand on the organization’s existing goals of strengthening the US-India ties driven by civil society. Through a robust 14-month service model being implemented in partnership with Atlas Corps, each year 5 AIF Banyan Impact US Fellows will serve full time with Host Organizations in the United States to develop leadership skills and learn effective practices through the dual professional development and networking opportunities being provided by The American India Foundation and Atlas Corps.
Program Dates: 14-month hybrid Fellowship from July 2022 through September 2023, including about 4 months of virtual (full-time) service in India, followed by on the ground service in the U.S.
Eligibility: To create the next generation of social changemakers in India, we encourage emerging leaders with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience to apply for this opportunity. Ideal candidates are mid-career professionals who have experience leading processes or teams and have influenced an organization’s strategy. Specific requirements for this program include the following:
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Be an Indian Citizen;
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Willing and able to serve remotely from India for approximately four months and on the ground in the United States for the remaining duration of the program. The program starts in July 2022 and ends in September 2023;
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5 years of relevant experience in the social sector, including nonprofits, social enterprises (including for-profit entities), government (both central and state) & quasi-government bodies, including necessary approvals from the employer for the Fellowship service;
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Between the ages of 27 to 35 by the program start date in July 2022;
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Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
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English proficiency (oral, writing, reading);
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Able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization before the program starts in July 2022;
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Commitment to return to India and work in the social impact sector for at least two years after completing the Fellowship;
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Committed to enriching learning opportunities for the Fellowship community and positively contributing to building U.S.-India bridges of understanding and partnership during their time of service and after;
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Interest/experience in community-based development and diversity and inclusion.
Deadline: Priority Deadline: Jan 31, 2022
Read more and apply here.
Questions: Please look up The Atlas Corps Frequently Asked Questions Page for any clarifications. If your question isn’t answered there, please email [email protected].
