Spring Cohort 2023-24 – International Innovation Corps (IIC)
The last date to submit this application is Feb 20, 2023
International Innovation Corps OUR STORY – SENDING TOP TALENT TO SOLVE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES AROUND THE WORLD Governments across the globe have enormous potential and drive, but many face immense social and economic hurdles. Public sectors seek high-impact, scalable ways to address development challenges that can be implemented effectively.
An incredible opportunity exists to create social impact interventions that really make a difference, and graduates from top universities around the world are passionate about doing exactly this kind of work.
That’s why the IIC, a program based at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, sends top talent to work with government organizations on year long fellowships that implement innovative solutions to important development problems.
HOW IT WORKS – The IIC recruits top-performing graduates of leading host-country universities and the University of Chicago and organises them into teams of up to 5 Project Associates. Project Associates train for 5 weeks in skills required to translate their academic and professional knowledge into on-the-ground contributions. The IIC embeds each team within a government office to work on an innovative development project with a discrete, tractable scope for a year. The IIC provides light-touch managers and mentors to help teams of Project Associates achieve their projects’ goals.
A UNIQUE MODEL – The IIC’s distinct model leverages global talent and government resources in a new way. This model has three defining features:
-IIC Project Associates work in teams to foster entrepreneurial collaboration.
-IIC teams work directly with the government, to ensure projects address official priorities.
-IIC projects create scalable solutions, in order to maximise impact.
IIC is glad to launch the Spring Cohort 2023-24. We welcome all young professionals who are interested in the development sector. The applicant should have completed their undergraduate degree at least three years ago.
The duration of the 2023-2024 Fellowship will be March 2023 through March 2024.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
From Lawyers and Doctors to Researchers, Economists and Entrepreneurs, our Project Associates come from all walks of life. It is this diversity that lends IIC its unique flavour. We have found that complex development issues benefit from a combination of domain expertise, collaboration and an innovative approach. If you thrive in a culture of rigorous inquiry, are creative and most importantly, passionate about creating social impact, you have the skills we are looking for!
CREATING SCALABLE SOLUTIONS
Imagine contributing to projects that enhance learning outcomes in government schools, shape policy to ensure efficient healthcare delivery and create solutions to provide renewable power to farmers! As an IIC Project Associate, you work on driving significant and transformative initiatives spearheaded by the government, leading not-for-profit organizations and Foundations. Learn about some of our current and past projects.
AN UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITY
At the International Innovation Corps, we address the most pressing development challenges by bridging the gap between impactful projects and innovative minds. Our problem-solving approach is hands-on, analytical and based on data-driven decision making to co-create solutions that can be operationalized and scaled.
MENTORSHIP
The IIC teams are led by experienced Project Leads, who are supported by the core management team of sector-specific Engagement Managers, Program Managers and Directors based in Delhi and Chicago. The IIC teams regularly receive management and performance oversight, strategic project and stakeholder management support, intensive training and structured feedback.
Eligibility
INTERNATIONAL PROJECT ASSOCIATES
Applicants for the 2023-2024 Program must fall into one of the following categories:
Class of 2022 or 2023 graduates of any masters program ( including PhDs, JDs, MBAs and MDs)
PIO/OCI card-holder
INDIAN PROJECT ASSOCIATES
The IIC welcomes all young professionals who are interested in the development sector. The applicant should have completed their undergraduate degree at least three years ago. An applicant with a master’s degree, plus one-year work experience will be considered.
Successful candidates would have a deep and critical understanding of the social impact sector and development issues. Fluency in one or more regional languages is a desired qualification.
Support and Training
Support: The IIC will provide support in the following areas: visa acquisition, payment for one roundtrip ticket to India, housing during the training session, health and safety protocols, project management oversight, and professional development opportunities. The IIC also provides a stipend to cover living costs for the duration of the Fellowship.
Training: All Project Associates are required to have completed their coursework and thesis for their degree before beginning training, with the exception of graduate students who are taking a gap year away from their program. If you are interested in applying to the IIC, please ensure that you can meet this requirement.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The duration of the 2023-2024 Fellowship will be March 2023 to March 2024.
RECRUITMENT TIMELINE FOR PROJECT ASSOCIATES
The applications are now open. Interested candidates can visit the mentioned form to submit their applications. Successful completion of the applications will require two documents: an updated CV, and a motivation question.
Selected applicants will be called for interviews. Please note that the IIC receives a very high number of applications every cycle so we may not able to contact all applicants with an update on their application status.
- The last date to submit this application is Feb 20, 2023
- Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. So, please apply as early as possible.
- The final decision will be made in the first week of March 2023
- Fellows will start working on their projects on the ground in Mar-Apr 2023.
The 2022-2023 IIC teams are based in New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Bangalore and Mumbai. Teams will travel throughout India as required by their projects.
Read our FAQs for more information.
TIMELINES
Applications Open | Feb 2, 2023
Applications Close | Feb 20, 2023
Interviews | Rolling basis
Final Decisions | First week of Mar 2023
