AIF BANYAN IMPACT FELLOWSHIP
Scholarship Region
International Region : USA
Scholarship For
Post Graduate
Last Date
02/04/2026
Scholarship Amount
Not Available
Scholarship Type
Private
Scholarship Fields
Other
Scholarship General Information
The AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship is an immersive bi-national volunteer service program with immense strategic importance in the US-India corridor. By facilitating exchange and collaboration between young professionals from India and the US, the program aims to shape the next generation of leaders committed to positive and sustainable change and creating a lasting US-India relationship by broadening the existing constituency of future leaders, civil society and other stakeholders.
Through its emphasis on a service-leadership model, the bilateral program places young professionals from the US and India in service with communities and organizations across the two countries for mutual learning, capacity building, and leadership development in support of social justice. Fellows work on projects closely linked to Sustainable Development Goals and create sustainable impact through service and fieldwork across diverse thematic areas such as education, public health, livelihoods, social inclusion, minority rights, Dalit and tribal rights, climate justice, LGBTQ+ rights, gender, arts, sports, CSR, and many others.
Since 2001, AIF has selected, trained, and supported 573 Fellows and 255 partner organizations across 25 Indian states to scale impact, catalyze change, and build the next generation of socially-minded change makers. As the AIF Fellowship Program, formerly known as the William J. Clinton Fellowship, enters its third decade under a new avatar; ‘The Banyan Impact Fellowship’, we are proud to expand on the growth of the existing version of the program and add to it a new segment.
Starting 2022, in addition to supporting service opportunities for Indians and Americans across Indian civil society organizations, the Fellowship Program will send social change professionals from India to serve across organizations in the US for capacity building and leadership development, thereby furthering the program’s mission of creating lasting ties between India and the US.
ITEM | DESCRIPTION |
Name | AIF BANYAN IMPACT FELLOWSHIP |
Provided By | American India Foundation |
Scholarship Amount | Living stipend, Health insurance, Professional development, Mentorship, and Programmatic benefits to enable their service |
No. of Scholarships | Varies (Depends on Availability) |
Required Qualification | Graduation |
Official Website |
Eligibility Criteria
The Fellowship recruits consist of young professionals from India and the U.S., between 21 and 35 years of age, with remarkably diverse professional and personal backgrounds, who bring a passion for community based development. AIF selects, trains, and places these individuals directly with partnering implementation organizations across India. Fellows serve through contributing their efforts and skills to developing ongoing initiatives, as well as strategizing new projects for the host organizations. To review previous Fellow bios and placements, please check www.aif.org/fellowship/fellows.
AIF’s Selection Criteria for Fellows Include:
a. Applicants must be either U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, or Indian Citizens.
b. Applicants must be young professionals between the age of 21-35 by the program start.
c. Applicants must have completed at least a Bachelor's or other undergraduate degree before the program starts.
d. Applicants must be willing and able to serve on the ground in India for the full duration of the program.
e. Applicants must bring both skills and experience, as well as an eagerness to learn with host communities on the ground.
f. Applicants must be willing to learn a local language if required for the project.
g. Applicants must be committed to enriching learning opportunities for the fellowship community and positively contribute to building U.S.-India bridges of understanding and partnership during their time of service and after.
Award Amount
Since 2001, AIF has selected, trained, and supported 539 Fellows and 238 partner organizations to scale impact, catalyze change, and build the next generation of socially-minded change makers. AIF provides Fellows with a living stipend, health insurance, professional development, mentorship, and programmatic benefits to enable their service. Selection of Fellows includes a written application and an interview, followed by matching with potential partner organizations for projects.
No. of Scholarships Available
The American India Foundation’s (AIF’s) Banyan Impact Fellowship is an interdisciplinary experiential learning program that places young professionals from India and the U.S. in service with development organizations in India. Through collaboration and capacity-building, Fellows and local communities exchange knowledge and skills to steer projects that advance social and economic development. Fellows learn about grassroots development and inclusive leadership. Since 2001, AIF has selected, trained, and supported 539 Fellows and 238 partner organizations to scale impact, catalyze change, and build the next generation of socially-minded change makers. AIF provides Fellows with a living stipend, health insurance, professional development, mentorship, and programmatic benefits to enable their service. Selection of Fellows includes a written application and an interview, followed by matching with potential partner organizations for projects.
In addition to providing fellows with mentorship, networking opportunities and resources for leadership development through The Banyan Impact Fellowship Program, AIF also presents its fellows with an additional professional development platform: The Atlas Corps Virtual Leadership Institute (VLI). This addition built as a result of an association established with Atlas Corps in 2021 furthers AIF’s mission of strengthening the US-India goals by expanding the organization’s investment in the leadership development of tomorrow’s global leaders.
Important Dates
The last date to apply for this fellowship is April 2, 2026.
Application Fee
No Separate Application or Fee is Required to get the scholarship, it will be automatically considered, once you enrolled for the program.
Application Procedure
The application procedure is completely on line, first you are required to visit https://aiffellowship.smapply.io/acc/r/?g=77395. If your question isn’t answered there or if you require any support with the application, please email fellowship@aif.org directly.
Selection Process
AIF’s Selection Criteria for Fellows Include:
a. Applicants must be either U.S. Citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, or Indian Citizens.
b. Applicants must be young professionals between the age of 21-35 by the program start.
c. Applicants must have completed at least a Bachelor's or other undergraduate degree before the program starts.
d. Applicants must be willing and able to serve on the ground in India for the full duration of the program.
e. Applicants must bring both skills and experience, as well as an eagerness to learn with host communities on the ground.
f. Applicants must be willing to learn a local language if required for the project.
g. Applicants must be committed to enriching learning opportunities for the fellowship community and positively contribute to building U.S.-India bridges of understanding and partnership during their time of service and after.
Other Info
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND SKILLS ARE REQUIRED
1. While the program is highly competitive, development work is by nature interdisciplinary and requires teams with diverse skill sets. We encourage candidates from all fields, disciplines and sectors to apply. We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience.
2. Whatever one’s field may be, a candidate should demonstrate a deep interest, passion, and commitment to social and economic development in India. Candidates must show humility and an eagerness to learn within a cross-cultural context. Ideal candidates possess strong professional skills, relevant volunteer or other practical experience, and applicable academic credentials or training. They show a potential for leadership and are entrepreneurial, innovative, and creative in finding solutions and navigating unknown organizational and cultural environments.
3. Candidates must be flexible and adaptable, and possess exceptional ability to build meaningful relationships across cultures in the social development space. A sensitivity and ability to work with vulnerable communities, as well as humility and passion to acquire new skills informally and “learn by doing” while on the project, are essential for a successful Fellowship.
4. Although proficiency in an Indian language other than English is not required to apply, it is encouraged. Language skills may be considered for suitable on-site placements.
Contact Details
For details on the Fellowship structure and application process, look up https://aif.org/fellowship/faq/. If your question isn’t answered there or if you require any support with the application, please email fellowship@aif.org directly. Given the volume of emails we receive, please be mindful that replies may take longer than usual. Once you have completed the application, an AIF representative will be in touch for further evaluation and information after the deadline
For details on The Virtual Leadership Institute, look up https://atlascorps.org/faq/. If your question isn’t answered there, please email apply@atlascorps.org.