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, 2026. 

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

  • Applicants must have at least three years of full-time work experience at the time of application, or two years if they hold a master’s degree.

  • 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 or in some cases, at the UChicago Center in Delhi.

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 2026 to April 2027.


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, and Program Teams 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 works across multiple states with partners throughout India. Project Associates are placed at their assigned project locations and are expected to work on-site, as remote work is not feasible for the fellowship.

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 only based in India, where fellows and project teams work in collaboration with local partners. We have another Program in Chicago called the Applied Data Fellowship. 

 

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. Once you join the fellowship, you are expected to dedicate yourself fully to the IIC project. Any formal work outside IIC, or involvement in other projects is not permitted.  

 

Is the fellowship a paid program?

Project Associates receive a fixed annual stipend of INR 12,70,000, disbursed in monthly installments.


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 2025, 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?

Project Associates work across diverse sectors and projects, resulting in a wide range of experiences. Hear from our fellows about their experience.



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

Project Associates often pursue higher studies in MPP, MPA, MBA, and other graduate or professional programmes in universities such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Oxford, London Business School and the likes in India such as ISB, etc. after the fellowship. Others continue working with their host organisations or within the broader ecosystem in roles of their choice.

 

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.

 
 

DID WE MISS YOUR QUESTION?

 

If you have any additional questions, you can email us at iic@uchicago.edu You can also follow our social channels for all updates - Linkedin, Twitter, and Instagram.