Introduction

BlueKraft Digital Foundation presents an exciting fellowship program, which offers a monthly grant for research and writing. The fellowship program welcomes applicants from diverse disciplines and backgrounds—experienced professionals and enthusiastic newcomers—who are eager to contribute to the growth narrative of New India in its quest of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Capture the pulse of change, the exhilaration of progress, and the vibrant stories that are shaping the future of our nation.

Objectives

Applicants will write about the strides that India has made on its development journey across various sectors using their subject-matter expertise and insights that reflect the impactful initiatives and changes that characterize the country’s progress.

Diverse Formats

Applicants are encouraged to choose from a variety of formats for their deliverables, including traditional and non-traditional writing, to capture the essence of India from different perspectives. This includes

• Standard Books

  Non-fiction books that may encompass historical analyses, policy studies, biographies, economic evaluations, environmental research, anthologies showcasing diverse viewpoints, and cultural explorations.

• Articles

  Articles and papers including opinion pieces, research studies, comparative analyses, policy reviews, thematic discussions, impact assessments, and cultural commentaries that provide insights into contemporary issues.

• Case studies

  To document successful initiatives and their impacts to illustrate effective practices and lessons learned.

• Coffee table books

  Visual narration of stories of change through coffee table books or graphic novels and capturing stories of progress through engaging illustrations and narratives.

• Research Papers in Journals

  To explore the impactful contributions of various initiatives, grassroot movements and innovative solutions that drive change and progress in society.

Platform for All Applicants Create an inclusive platform for new and emerging talents, experienced and exceptional professionals, academics and experts eager to explore new themes and formats.

Program Details

The Viksit Bharat Fellowship is designed as a flexible grant opportunity, allowing you to engage in this enriching experience while continuing with your current job or professional responsibilities. This means you can contribute to India’s growth narrative without having to pause your career, making it an ideal choice for those looking to balance their professional commitments with meaningful contributions to nation building. Thus, the fellowship does not require committed office hours with BlueKraft Digital Foundation.

Total Number of Fellows to be Awarded: 25

• BlueKraft Associate Fellows

  : These positions are aimed at new talent, typically early-career applicants who are beginning to establish their expertise in a specific area.

• BlueKraft Senior Fellows:

  Senior fellows are emerging leaders in their fields, possessing an established level of experience and a proven track record of research or policy or contributions in their relevant field.

• BlueKraft Distinguished Fellows:

  Distinguished fellows are recognized experts, authors, leaders or specialists with extensive domain experience and a substantial body of work.

Fellowship Duration: The fellowship spans one year, offering a blend of virtual engagement and up to one month of in-person experiences. These experiences may encompass orientation, mentorship, networking opportunities, workshops, and field activities. Additionally, the fellowship may be extendable at the discretion of the Foundation.

Learning and networking Opportunities: Fellows will enjoy exclusive opportunities to engage with leading decision-makers from diverse fields, policymakers, and subject matter experts. These invaluable interactions will enhance their writing and deepen their understanding of India’s socio-economic landscape, providing rich insights towards their deliverables.

Mentorship: Central to the program are the Program Mentors from BlueKraft Digital Foundation, and other subject-matter experts, who will offer personalized one-on-one mentoring sessions, ensuring tailored support throughout the fellowship. The external experts will include seasoned subject matter experts, renowned professionals, and influential voices who will engage in immersive one-week mentoring sessions, providing applicants with valuable perspectives from various fields.

Stipend: A monthly stipend will be provided, tailored to the experience level of the candidate and the specific output format required.

• BlueKraft Associate Fellows: Rs 75,000 per month

• BlueKraft Senior Fellows: Rs 1,25,000 per month

• BlueKraft Distinguished Fellows: Rs 2,00,000 per month

Access to BlueKraft Digital Foundation’s Resources: BlueKraft, known for its array of in-depth research resources and background information, will provide access to its influential policy papers, white papers, books, comprehensive policy analyses, and specialized research. These materials will empower participants to engage deeply with the forefront of the nation’s discourse, equipping them with the knowledge and insights necessary to drive impactful change in their respective fields.

Cross Collaboration: For the duration of the fellowship, participants will be organized into groups to facilitate cross-collaboration and enhance the overall learning experience.

Publication:

• Program Deliverable: The Fellows are expected to focus on achieving the agreed-upon deliverable(s) at the end of the program.

  Refer – Indicative Topics.

• Interim Deliverables: During the course of their study, the Fellows are required to produce regular contributions relevant to the end-deliverable and their program objectives in the form of short form collaterals, such as articles or research papers for publication in recognized public domains. This ensures a consistent stream of high-quality content that meets industry standards for relevance and excellence.

• Final Publication: Completed works may be published under the auspices of BlueKraft Publications and Knowledge Centre or an external entity as mutually agreed, providing fellows with a platform to reach a broader audience and contribute meaningfully to the discourse on Indian development.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure a diverse and impactful cohort of fellows, the following eligibility criteria will apply:

Global Reach

Open to applicants from all over the world who are 18 years or older. Applicants must show a dedication to exploring meaningful stories relevant to India’s growth and development and a commitment to producing works of excellence

Qualifications

• For

  BlueKraft Associate Fellow

A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent degree in a relevant field from a prestigious institution and Demonstrated interest in a relevant field with a prior robust portfolio, with a willingness to engage in research and analysis Or Relevant internship or work experience in a relevant field, with a demonstrated record of contributing to projects

• For BlueKraft Senior Fellow

A Master’s Degree (or Bachelors in exceptional cases) or a higher degree in a relevant field, and a minimum of 5-15 years of relevant experience in academia, government, research or the private sector, with a demonstrated record of contribution, specialization, or leadership in the area of nation building and development,OrAt least 2 published books with major publishing houses on subjects in consonance with the indicative list of topics mentioned in the fellowship overview;OrAt least 5 published works in academic journals or equivalent industry standard publications.

• For BlueKraft Distinguished Fellow

A nationally or internationally renowned subject matter expert Or A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in academia, government, research or the private sector, with a demonstrated record of contribution, specialization or leadership, in the area of nation building and development, Or At least 5 published books with major publishing houses on subjects in consonance with the indicative list of topics mentioned in the fellowship overview; Or At least 20 published works in academic journals or equivalent industry standard publications

Indicative Topics

The following is a list of indicative topics for your reference, highlighting key areas of focus that are essential for fostering nation-building and development. Such topics also encompass various aspects of society, and we encourage meaningful deliverables, discussions and narratives aimed at contributing to the nation’s journey of becoming a Viksit Bharat.

Governance in India

• Making Citizen Engagement and Participative Democracy the Norm for New India

• The Gamechanger of Flagship Scheme: Direct Benefit Transfers Engraining Transparency in Systems

Defence and Foreign Policy

• Atmanirbharta in Defence:

  The Need, Progress and Future Trajectory

• Fortifying Frontiers:

  The new way of engaging with the Western and Eastern Borders including infrastructure development

• The New International/World Order:

  Growing Role of India

• Reimagination of India:

  Emergence of India’s Grand Strategy

Economic Progress

• Small Industries, Big Impact:

  Creating a New Success Story for MSME’s

• Revival of India’s Manufacturing Leadership

• The New Disruptor:

  India’s Role in Leading Supply Chain Management

• Re-looking Banking Reforms in India

Social Welfare

• Empowering the Marginalised:

  Saturation by Economic Reforms

• Women at the Forefront:

  Towards Women led Development

• The Indian Model of Public Health:

  Making Health Care Accessible for All

Infrastructure:Digital and Physical

• India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Paradigm

• Building the Future:

  The Impact of Physical Infrastructure Growth in India

The North East

• From Isolation to Integration:

  The Comprehensive Development of North East India

Climate Action and Renewable Energy

• Climate Action in India:

  India’s New Agenda

• Powering Progress:

  The Impact of India’s Hot Pursuit of Renewable Energy

Technology and Entrepreneurship

• Racing to the Future:

  Making India a Tech Hub

• Empowering Dreams:

  Creating the largest Start Up Eco-system in the World

Cultural Resurgence

• Global Stage, Local Roots:

  The Revival of India’s Cultural Identity

• Traditional Roots, Modern Wings:

  Making Culture an Integral Part of Viksit Bharat

Empowering the Youth

• The Future is Now:

  India’s Youth as Catalysts for Economic and Social Development

How to Apply

01- Submit the online applicatio

02- Participate in the selection process

03- Interviews will be conducted for shortlisted candidates

Selection Process

• Applications will undergo a 2-step review process conducted by a panel of leaders, professionals and experts from relevant fields

• A selection committee will review applications based on the quality of the proposal, creativity, feasibility, clarity of vision, ability to tell India’s narrative and alignment with the Fellowship’s goals.

• Applicants will be shortlisted for interviews.

Fellowship Application Timeline

Application Deadline

Completed applications must be submitted by November 4th, 2024

Decision Notification

Applicants will be notified of their final acceptance status by December 1st, 2024.

Acceptance of Offer

Selected applicants must confirm their acceptance of the fellowship offer by December 15th, 2024.

Fellowship Start Date

The fellowship program will commence on January 1st 2025.

Terms and Conditions for the Fellowship Program

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”), effective 17th September 2024 onwards, govern the application and participation in the Fellowship Program (“Fellowship”) offered by BlueKraft Digital Foundation (“Organization”). By applying for or participating in the Fellowship, you (“Applicant”) agree to comply with these Terms.

1. Review of Fellowship Document Applicants must review the fellowship agreement provided by the Organization and report any concerns within 7 days of receipt.

2. Agreement to Terms By applying, the Applicant agrees to adhere to the eligibility criteria, application process, submission deadlines, duration, structure, stipend, stipulations, and required documents as outlined in the fellowship document.

3. Ownership of Intellectual Property Intellectual property created during the Fellowship, including research findings, publications, and projects, shall be jointly owned by the Applicant and BlueKraft Digital Foundation. Standard practices regarding external publishers will apply in cases of publication.

4. Confidentiality Both parties agree to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information shared during the Fellowship. This obligation continues after the termination of the Fellowship.

5. Professional Behaviour Applicants must demonstrate professional behaviour during the Fellowship, including adherence to ethical standards, respect for diversity, and compliance with organizational policies.

6. Termination of Fellowship The Fellowship may be terminated for breach of these Terms, misconduct, or failure to meet program requirements or any other reason on account of the Organisation.

7. Dispute Resolution Any disputes arising from this Agreement shall be resolved through mediation or arbitration in accordance with the laws of India. The jurisdiction for any legal matters shall be New Delhi.

8. Equal Opportunity Statement BlueKraft Digital Foundation is an equal opportunity organization. All rights are reserved, and the selection process will be conducted fairly.

9. Final Decision The decision of the Organization regarding any aspect of the Fellowship is final and binding.

10. Limitation of Liability The Organization’s liability for any injuries or damages incurred during the Fellowship is limited to the extent permitted by applicable laws.

11. Amendments The Organization reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time.

12. Governing Law These Terms shall be governed by the laws of India, ensuring compliance with local regulations.

13. Acceptance Applicants must accept these Terms prior to the submission of their application, as indicated by the checkbox feature added online.

14. Personal Data Protection The Organization will collect, use, and protect personal data provided by Applicants and fellows in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

By applying for the Fellowship, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Application Form

We invite and encourage meaningful voices to join us in contributing to and enriching the narrative surrounding India’s journey forward!

Apply Now

https://fellowship.bluekraft.in

Official Notification Link

https://www.bluekraft.in/fellowship/