Eligibility

 

Who can apply?

The IIC is a program for all young professionals who are interested in the development and policy sector. We accept and encourage candidates for all backgrounds, interested in social impact to apply to the fellowship, if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Am I eligible?

You must be below 30 years of age, as of April 1, 2025. 

  • The applicant should have completed their undergraduate degree in any field. 

  • Candidates should have a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience at the time of applying.

  • An applicant with a master’s degree, plus two-years of work experience will be considered.

  • Candidate should have valid work permit in India

I don’t have educational or professional experience in the social sector. Can I still apply?

The IIC does not have a preference for any specific major. We value diversity in academic backgrounds and seek candidates from a wide range of disciplines and experiences. What matters most is your ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and work well in teams. We look for individuals who demonstrate initiative, a strong work ethic, and a passion for addressing global challenges. 

If you're driven to make an impact, connect with a global network of experts, and build lifelong relationships within the IIC community, the IIC could be the right fit for you. Apply today!


What are the qualities of an ideal candidate?

Ideal candidates are creative problem-solvers who are highly motivated, persistent when faced with challenges, collaborative, flexible, comfortable with ambiguity and driven by a desire to make the world a better place.

IIC Project Associates will be selected on the basis of attributes including academic excellence, creativity, integrity, critical thinking, in-demand skills, work experience, and the ability to work on a team.


Can I apply if I am a student in the US, but not at UChicago?

Yes, the IIC invites applicants from other US universities as well as all Indian and International universities, till you have a valid work permit in India.

IIC does not sponsor any work permits for foreign fellows.

 
 

Application

 

What is the Application process for the fellowship? 

IIC follows a rigorous application and selection process

What are the locations for the interviews?

Interviews will be held virtually and at the UChicago Center in Delhi.

Do I need to submit any documents?

In order to complete your IIC application, you will need to share a resume,  submit 2-3 short-essay type questions  and innovation proposal with us. (more details are on the applications page of this website).

What are you looking for in the Innovation Proposal?

We encourage you to approach your proposal with creativity and originality. 

While we understand that you may not be an expert in the chosen topic, we are more interested in your ability to break down a problem, identify causes, thoughtfully justify your solution, outline its implementation, and address its limitations. 

Our priority is a well-reasoned and feasible proposal, rather than one that prioritizes originality at the expense of practicality and critical analysis.

Can I choose my own project and sector?

No, the project mapping is the responsibility of the program team. Project Associates are matched to project teams based on individual skills and experience but matched to the project requirements and team composition. Furthermore, when assigning project teams, the IIC aims to build strength in teams through a diverse set of skills, experiences, and personalities working together.

If I reject a project, would I be considered for other projects?

The selection process is very competitive and we receive hundreds of applications each year. If a candidate decides to not accept their assigned project, they would be eliminated from the cohort recruitment and would be required to reapply to the next cycle. 

In case of special circumstances, where a candidate is unable to join the cohort after selection, consideration would be given to keep them in the waitlist for future opportunities. IIC however, does not guarantee any employment offers to such cases as our future opportunities are based on project and grant availability. 

We request each candidate to carefully take into consideration the commitment and requirements while applying. 

 
 

Fellowship

 

When does the Fellowship start and end?

This is a 12 month fellowship from April 2025 to April 2026.


How are IIC teams structured?

IIC Fellows are staffed in teams, often with careful consideration to maintaining diversity of experience among the team. Each project is  led by Project Leads, supported by Engagement Managers, Program Managers, and Directors in Delhi and Chicago.

The cohort is initiated with an induction programme and then candidates are placed on their respective projects. Project Associates are supported by Project Leads and Engagement Managers to deliver outputs and manage stakeholders.

Timely, the Associates also receive mentoring, guidance and support from the Program Team during the course of the fellowship.


Where are the Project Associates/IIC fellows based?

IIC has projects across states and partners in India. Project Associates are placed on the project location and expected to work from their assigned locations. 

You can follow our Projects page to know more about our work and location.


Is any part of the program based at the University of Chicago or elsewhere in the USA, or is the entire program based in India?

The IIC India Program is primarily based in India, where fellows and project teams work in collaboration with local partners. We have a similar Program in Chicago called the Applied Data Fellowship for US nationals. 

 

Is it a part-time fellowship or full-time? Can I pursue my education/ other engagements on the side?

IIC is a full-time fellowship. Project Associates are expected to give their full commitment during the fellowship period as our projects are demanding in nature. Training will begin in mid-April 2025, and all coursework or job commitments should be completed or put on hold before the training starts. Once the training concludes and you begin your project work, you are expected to dedicate yourself fully to the IIC project. Outside work, volunteering, or involvement in other projects is not permitted. Please be aware that your IIC project will be your top priority and is likely to demand significant time and attention.

 

Is the fellowship a paid program?

Yes, Project Associates are offered a fixed stipend of INR 12,70,000 annually to cover their living expenses. 


What kind of training is provided to the Project Associates?

Each year, we revise the training needs for our program. Our Associates are exposed to leadership skills, public policy discourse, management and consulting tools. In 2024, we partnered with Indian School of Public Policy to provide an Executive Course on Leadership in Public Policy to our cohort. We also bring in sectoral experts to share and guide our fellows on respective projects. 

 

What does a day in the life of a Project Associate look like?

Fortunately or unfortunately, there is no typical day in the life of an IIC Project Associate. Hear from our fellows about their experience.

What do Project Associates do after they have completed the Fellowship?

The IIC provides the Project Associates support in finding opportunities upon completion of the Fellowship. Some Project Associates go on to pursue higher studies such as MPP, MPA, MBA graduate or professional degree programs. Others may continue working with their host organization or within the sector, including business, consulting, development, and non-profits. 

70% of our alumni have pursued higher education globally in universities such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Oxford, London Business School and the likes in India such as ISB, ISPP etc. 

Will the fellowship help me get admission at the University of Chicago?

No, the fellowship does not guarantee admission at the University of Chicago. Candidates are selected at the University on the merit of their candidature. However, during the fellowship, fellows get an opportunity to interact with Professors of the University, explore projects and apply accordingly. The experience of the fellowship definitely helps the application of the candidates seeking admissions for any Masters program.

Does the IIC accept volunteers?

We do accept volunteers on an as-needed basis. For more information about volunteering with the IIC, please email iic@uchicago.edu.

 
 

DID WE MISS YOUR QUESTION?

 

Bring your questions to one of our informational sessions. We host events at the University of Chicago on the Hyde Park campus, at the University of Chicago Delhi Center in India, or virtually on a webinar from anywhere in the world. You can also follow our social channels for all updates - Linkedin, Twitter, and Instagram.