Frequently
Asked Questions
Application and Review
The research fellowship is intended for young researchers in India between the age of 18 to 25. And is open to applicants residing in India.
This program is designed for people who are interested in youth-driven research on how young Indians experience, navigate, and imagine their digital lives. Candidates interested in areas related to digital well being, meaningful digital inclusion, and non-western futures are encouraged to apply.
Candidates can be university students (enrolled in a graduate program/postgraduate program) or early career professionals.
Ideal candidates will have demonstrated initiative and impact through one or more of the following:-
Academic or Policy Research
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University or Professional projects
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Community engagement through workshops or events
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Youth leadership experience
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No, it is not compulsory to be affiliated to a university/ organization to apply. This is a short-duration fellowship. We welcome applicants who are currently studying, working, freelancing, or between professional commitments, as long as they can dedicate the required time to the fellowship and fulfil other eligibility criteria.
A total of ten fellows will be selected.
The fellowship has two distinct phases:
The Academy - Ten selected applicants will get the opportunity to attend the Academy. Designed as an intensive hybrid learning program led by global experts and faculty from The Pranava Institute, this phase will give you a solid foundation to conduct qualitative research at the intersection of emerging technology, society, design and futures. The Academy will have an iterative loop of theory and practice-based learning with fellows applying the methods learnt on the ground. Participants who successfully complete The Academy requirements will receive an interim certificate by The Pranava Institute and the University of Leeds.
The Community Capstone - Six high-performers who excel in the Academy will be shortlisted to continue as YTF Fellows and undertake a community capstone project that will allow them to conduct community-led field research on the three YDCL focus areas. During this phase, fellows will be mentored to conduct on-ground qualitative research applying learnings and methods from The Academy. They will also learn to synthesise research findings from the gathered on-ground data.
The fellowship is fundamentally interdisciplinary welcoming applicants from diverse fields, including the arts, sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.
We seek candidates who are interested in technology research particularly in how technology shapes society and how young people can play a central role in building digital futures.
The application process will involve two main steps:
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Fill Sign-up form: The first step is to fill Form 1 which requires you to provide basic information about yourself and your contact details.
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Complete Application form: Once signed up, you will receive the complete application form necessary to apply for the program. (Sign up forms alone will not count as a full application).
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Candidate shortlist and interview: Virtual interviews will be conducted with selected applicants in December from which ten finalists will be selected.
Note: There is no application fee attached to the fellowship.
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To complete your application for the fellowship, please submit the following documents:
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An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
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Contact details for one Reference Person
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Complete and final application form
We will only accept fully completed applications with all necessary supporting documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
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Fellowship Structure
The fellowship takes place over four months (January 2026 – April 2026) through three distinct phases. These phases involve the Academy, the Community Capstone, and the final research synthesis and impact analysis. Please visit the fellowship section on our website to further understand the different phases of the fellowship.
Yes, it is mandatory for all selected fellows to attend the four day residential bootcamp in-person. The bootcamp will be organised in Bangalore in early January 2026 (Week 2). During the boot camp, fellows will engage directly with mentors, attend hands-on masterclasses and speaker sessions, and connect with other fellows. The bootcamp will launch The Academy phase of the fellowship, following which all sessions will be in hybrid mode and can be joined virtually each week.
All costs related to travel, accommodation, and meals will be fully covered by the organisers for the duration of the bootcamp.
Yes, YTF is a fully paid fellowship.
In addition, fellows will also receive a stipend across the three fellowship phases.
A stipend is provided to recognize the significant time, rigor, and fieldwork that fellows will invest in their projects. Fellows who complete the full program (4-month with final research output) will receive a total stipend of INR 1,00,000. Fellows who are only part of the academy will receive a stipend only for the first two months of their engagement.
In addition, all expenses for travel, accommodation, and meals during the required Bangalore boot camp are fully covered by the organisers.
This is a part-time fellowship. Fellows are expected to allocate an average commitment of 6-8 hours per week to the program for the weekly learning sessions. In addition, the fellows are expected to engage in mentorship calls and allot adequate time for the completion of weekly assigned tasks. Maximum engagement is strongly encouraged to ensure fellows derive benefit from the fellowship.
Post-fellowship benefits
The fellowship is designed to build a strong foundation for future careers in research, tech policy, and social innovation. Fellows will be part of the YDCL Alumni Network, and have access to the lab’s resources and networking opportunities.
Have Further Questions?
Email us at ydcl@pranavainstitute.com
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