The American India Foundation (AIF) Banyan Impact Fellowship for service in the United States is the U.S. track of the AIFbilateral Fellowship Program. This program is being implemented through a partnership with Atlas Corps, a global leader in the design and implementation of long-term Fellowship programs. This new leg of our Fellowship was added in 2022 and enables working professionals from India to serve across a diverse range of organizations in the United States. It accentuates the mission of our program and its relevance in the U.S.-India corridor.

By adding service in the U.S. to the existing India track of the Banyan Impact Fellowship model, AIF has expanded on the organization’s goals of strengthening the U.S.-India ties driven by civil society. Each year, five AIF Banyan Impact U.S. track Fellows serve full-time with Host Organizations in the U.S. for 12 months (July 2023-July 2024) to develop leadership skills and learn effective practices. They benefit from dual professional development and networking opportunities provided by AIFand Atlas Corps. The Global Leadership Lab and AIF professional development opportunities complement the Host Organization experience with the opportunity to develop competencies in key areas essential for the next generation of global changemakers.

U.S. track Fellows will participate in the program on the J-1 Trainee visa, and they will engage in group cultural activities like a D.C. Monuments Tour, sporting events, U.S. holiday celebrations, and more. Atlas Corps and AIF will also provide each Fellow with a living stipend to cover basic expenses (food, local transportation, and shared housing), a monthly phone plan, emergency health and travel insurance, and round-trip international airfare.

Fellowship Eligibility

To create the next generation of social changemakers in India, AIF and Atlas Corps encourage emerging leaders with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience to apply for this opportunity. Ideal candidates are mid-career professionals who have experience leading processes or teams and have influenced an organization’s strategy. Specific requirements for this program include the following:

• Be an Indian Citizen;
• Willing and able to travel and serve full-time for 12 months from July 2023-July 2024. The Fellowship may start with remote service from India, with the majority of the 12 months occurring in the United States;
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in the social sector, including nonprofits, social enterprises (including for-profit entities), government (both central and state) & quasi-government bodies; passion for future development and motivation to make a difference through service;
• Between the ages of 27 to 35 by the program start date in July 2023;
• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
• English proficiency (oral, writing, reading);
• Able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization before the program starts in July 2023; [NOTE: US Entry requirement]
• Commitment to return to India and work in the social impact sector for at least two years after completing the Fellowship and be an active part of the Fellowship alumni community;
• Committed to enriching learning opportunities for the Fellowship community and positively contributing to building U.S.-India bridges of understanding and partnership during their time of service and after;
• Interest/experience in community-based development and diversity and inclusion.

Application Process

Applicants to the AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship for service in the U.S. should go through the same online application process as other applicants for the Atlas Corps Fellowship. Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023.

Select applicants will be invited to the interview round and asked to complete the Banyan Impact Fellowship supplement from December 2022 - February 2023. Successful candidates will be confirmed as semi-finalists by February 2023 and are eligible to be considered for the 12-month full-time Fellowship, starting in July 2023. Atlas Corps will assist selected Fellows in obtaining a J-1 visa required to travel to the U.S. for the Fellowship.

Interested in service with development organizations in India? To learn more about the AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship Program for service in India, please visit.

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