Mukerjee Fellowship 2023 -2024
The application window for the Fellowship is open and will close on 10th June 2023
Policy, Politics and Governance Foundation (PPGF) has been set up with the express purpose of creating opportunities for students and young professionals interested in the intersection of policy, politics, and governance. The foundation will run multiple initiatives to enable students and young professionals to equip themselves with the tools and skills required for them to work with politicians and institutions in and out of the government.
Nation First Policy Research Centre (NFPRC) undertakes extensive, peer-reviewed research for long-term projects, as well as incisive, quick-turnaround research for actionable agendas. By leveraging its research capacity, NFPRC assists the Government in reviewing old policies, formulating design and implementation strategies for new ones, and finding ways to enhance the on-ground effectiveness of ongoing schemes. In addition, NFPRC also conducts an impact evaluation of existing policy interventions to identify lacunae or roadblocks and suggest remedial actions.
Policy, Politics and Governance Foundation (PPGF), in collaboration with Nation First Policy Research Centre (NFPRC), is offering a unique fellowship opportunity to provide young professionals across India a hands-on policy, politics and governance experience. Working closely with premier elected representatives and administrators in the country for a year, Fellows stand to gain insights into the world of policymaking and active politics. Working with subject matter experts on a wide range of roles ranging from legislative briefing to active social media management, the Fellowship aims to set young professionals up for a successful career in the space.
What do we offer?
Equip yourself with the basic tools to work with elected representatives and administrators (in and out of government).
Gain the experience of working with premier elected representatives and being at the heart of policy-making and governance in the country.
Take up potential full-time roles in leading policy research institutions as well as the personal offices of the premier elected representatives in the country, at the end of the Fellowship
What is the duration of the Mukerjee Fellowship and what will it entail?
Fellows will be engaged for 12 months. The Fellowship itself is spread over two modules-
Theoretical Learning Module
A 1.5 month-long in-person training module focussed on introducing diverse perspectives to the Fellows that will be conducted in Delhi.
Experiential Learning Module
A 10.5 month long experience, involving deputation to the office of MPs post the completion of the learning module.
Theoretical Learning Module
- The learning module will last for a period of one and half months starting on 1st July and will take place in person in Delhi with the attendance of all the Fellows being compulsory.
- The learning module will contain 7 submodules and 2 specialized sub modules, each of which will include an overall guide presentation, sample documents, books for assigned readings and a set of assignments that are to be completed for the completion of the sub module.
- The contents of these sub modules will have to be completed within the period of one and half months. A certain minimum accomplishment needs to be attained in each sub module for the purpose of passage to the next module.
Experiential Learning Module
- The Fellows will be deputed to senior political leaders subject to successful completion of the Theoretical Learning Module with their performance reflecting the nature of the appointment they receive, with the very best Fellows receiving appointments at the offices of chief ministers and high-ranking union ministers.
- Fellows will carry out a variety of tasks in the offices of elected representatives and administrators. In doing so they will acquire hands-on experience of working in a political office.
- Fellows may have to work on tasks such as-
- Providing inputs for bills under discussion, parliamentary questions and general policy discussions.
- Providing background research for meetings, conferences, speeches and other media events.
- Researching a diverse set of topics depending on the requirements of the office.
- Helping manage a political leader’s social media and other communications.
- Writing issues and communication briefs and helping with documentation.
- Helping manage political campaigns for the leader.
- Liaise with other consultants from across the industry on avenues such as policy formulation, political campaigning and legislative research.
When does the Fellowship start?
For years 2023-24, the Fellowship will start on 01 July 2023. The application window for the Fellowship is open and will close on 10th June 2023.
Who can apply for the Fellowship?
Academic background is no bar for applying for the Fellowship. However, the Fellowship particularly caters to young professionals and final-year graduate students who envision a career in policy development and political consultancy. If you are not a final-year student, you are suggested to partake in the ICPC internship.
Is there any age limit to apply for this Fellowship?
Yes, the applicants must be no older than 25 as of 1st July, 2023. That is, no one born prior to 1st July, 1997 is eligible to apply for the Fellowship.
Will Fellows receive a stipend?
Yes. For the period of the Fellowship including the training module, Fellows will receive a stipend of ₹ 50,000 per month.
Can the Fellows pursue any other professional or academic engagement?
Mukherjee Fellows are to commit to a full-time engagement with the Fellowship. The Fellows cannot pursue any additional academic or professional assignments during their engagement as a Mukherjee Fellow.
Can professionals pursue both the ICPC Internship and the Mukherjee Fellowship ?
No. Given the structural differences between the Mukherjee Fellowship and the ICPC Internship, professionals will not be permitted to pursue both. While the ICPC is prescribed to penultimate-year students, the Mukherjee Fellowship is suggested to young professionals and final-year graduate students.
Will those who complete the Fellowship receive a Certificate?
Fellows who complete the Fellowship will receive a course completion certificate from PPGF. Fellows can also receive recommendation letters from their chosen respective representatives at the completion of their Fellowship.
Can the Fellows continue working with their representatives post the completion of the Fellowship ?
Yes, Fellows who perform well during the period of their Fellowship might be offered long-term positions in the office of their assigned representative.
Will the Fellows be provided any post Fellowship support?
- Post the completion of the 1-year fellowship, those fellows who perform well will be given placement support in the corporate sector, government and policy consulting sector.
- As per their talents and education, the fellows might be accommodated in various semi-government positions (OSDs, assistants among others) across the country.
- The academically inclined amongst them will be provided with support in the form of enabling admissions to top institutions in India and abroad.
