Accelerating India Fellowship

Applications Open

Policy, Politics and Governance Foundation (PPGF) is excited to announce the Accelerating India Book Fellowship aimed at empowering thought leaders who can craft transformative narratives and frameworks that shape India’s future while drawing upon its rich civilizational legacy. We define our ethos thus:

Progress: Emphasis on producing optimistic, forward-looking works that inspire action and solutions.

Rootedness: Deeply rooted in India's civilizational identity, ensuring relevance to India's unique challenges and opportunities while contributing to global discourse.

The fellowship seeks to nurture the next generation of bold thinkers who can reimagine India’s trajectory through fresh, dynamic, and impactful ideas. We are actively seeking applications from young Indians who are eager to challenge conventional narratives and offer innovative solutions.

Objective

The fellowship is a one-year immersive program designed to support exceptional individuals in producing book-length works that explore critical issues across culture, society, technology, economy, and politics. The work must aim to contribute actionable ideas, historical insights, and visionary pathways to accelerate India's development and leadership in the 21st century.

The thematic focus areas for the fellowship are:

• Culture and Identity

• Society and Institutions

• Politics and Policy

• Technology and Innovation

• Economy and Industry

Program Details

A total of 15 Fellowship grants will be awarded. Fellows will receive a grant of ₹ 12,00,000, payable as a monthly stipend of ₹ 80,000 for a period of twelve months, and the balance of ₹ 2,40,000 payable on the submission of the final manuscript. Additional travel grants will also be considered for the Fellows on a discretionary basis.

The Fellowship will involve a mix of virtual engagement and up to two months of in-person involvement including orientation, workshops and mentorship sessions.

Selection Process

The selection process is designed to identify individuals with exceptional potential to produce impactful, book-length works aligned with the ethos of the fellowship.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and possess a Master’s degree or higher; however, individuals with an undergraduate degree may be considered in exceptional cases. The application process includes a comprehensive book proposal of 3,000–5,000 words. The proposal must outline the central idea of the book, a detailed structure with key chapters or sections, and a clear alignment with the fellowship’s vision of advancing India’s progress in culture, society, technology, economy, or politics. Additionally, applicants must include a roadmap detailing how they plan to complete the book within the fellowship year, along with a writing sample that complements the proposal and demonstrates their ability to articulate complex ideas effectively.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview and a selection panel will evaluate proposals based on the originality and relevance of ideas, the clarity and feasibility of the book roadmap, the quality of writing, and commitment to the project’s completion. Final decisions will be communicated within a week of the interview round, and selected fellows will be invited to join the upcoming cohort.

Application Deadline

Round 1: January 7, 2025

Round 2: February 7, 2025

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, meaning applications are reviewed as they come in, and exceptional candidates may be selected early. With limited spots available, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.