Bhumi Fellowship 2025-26 cohort is now open.
Upcoming Deadline for Application: September 16th, 2024
If you are between 20-30 years of age and have a passion for education, we invite you to embark on a life-changing journey with us.
Why is the Bhumi Fellowship Important?
The state of education in India is dire, with millions of children deprived of quality education. Despite significant progress in enrollment, the quality of education remains a challenge. India’s education system is plagued with low learning outcomes, lack of trained teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and poor governance. We believe that the best way to solve these challenges is by creating a pool of leaders like you who are committed to transforming education in India.
About Bhumi Fellowship
Bhumi Fellowship is a 2-year paid, transformative program to help you become the next leader in education. Through our fellowship program, we provide young leaders like you with hands-on training and on-the-job experience in teaching and transforming schools in India.
Vision Achieving equitable education for all children through systemic change
Mission To create a cadre of changemakers who transform schools in the short term and lead the next education movement in the long term.
Fellowship Locations Chennai , Coimbatore, Trichy
Eligibility & Offerings
- Age between 20 and 30 Years
- Monthly Grant of Rs.25500/-
- In-depth Real time training
Bhumi Fellowship is an initiative of Bhumi, India’s largest youth volunteering organization. At Bhumi, we have been transforming schools in India for over 10+ years. Our expertise in school transformation has helped us create a curriculum that combines the best practices in pedagogy, technology, and community engagement. We have a team of experienced educators, mentors, and leaders who work closely with our fellows to ensure they get the best training and experience.
- 42 FELLOWS ENGAGED
- 20 SCHOOLS TRANSFORMED
- 8,500 CHILDREN BENEFITED
Why become a Bhumi Fellow
- Gather In-depth understanding of the education ecosystem in India by working closely with government teachers and school leaders
- Understand child development, pedagogical practices/teaching methodologies and classroom management
- Receive hands-on training and on-the-job experience in teaching children in schools
- Lead self and others with intention and action to empower them and build more leaders
- Build essential skills such as project management, collaboration, problem-solving, and systems thinking.
- Earn a competitive stipend of Rs 25,500 per month during the 2 year fellowship
Life after Fellowship
- Work with grassroots organizations, policymakers, or corporate social responsibility initiatives
- Work with Bhumi full-time
- Pursue higher education in areas like Public Policy and Education
- Be a Changemaker transforming India!
Our alumni have been placed in prestigious organizations such as Pratham, Schools of Equality, Bhumi, SPI Edge, Kraftshala, and others. They have become changemakers in their own right and are transforming India, one step at a time.
Who we are looking for
- A youth champion between 20-30 years
- Having a degree in Social Work, Sociology, English Lit, B.E.d., Psychology, Law, B.E., or B.Tech
- Aligned with Teaching, EdTech, or Systemic Transformation (even better if you work with the government!
- Have prior experience in event organizing, club leading, team managing, or student union-ing
- Based in Chennai or Ready to move to Chennai
Application
Your application will help us understand your experiences, your aspirations, and motivations to join the Bhumi Fellowship.
Telephonic Interview
A 30-minute telephonic conversation to understand a little more in depth about you that may not have been captured on the application form.
Final Assessment
Final stage of the selection process comprising lesson execution, group discussion and problem solving. Upon clearing these, you will be invited to a personal interview.
Our Fellows must be:
- Passionate about bringing about a change in Education
- Critical thinkers with an aptitude to solve problems
- Resilient in the face of challenges
- Able to build relationships and strengthen partnerships through purpose-driven conversations
- Individuals with a track record of demonstrated leadership in other spaces which will be honed further during and after this two-year period
FAQs for Bhumi Fellowship
Why should I join the Bhumi Fellowship?
The ineffectiveness of the Indian education system puts our future generations at risk. Only reimagined and more effective schools can equip our children with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. The Bhumi Fellowship offers you a chance to reimagine the way children learn and create a working system that prepares children for a better tomorrow.
How is the Bhumi Fellowship different from similar fellowships in the country?
We take a whole-school approach to transformation – in addition to teaching children foundational literacy and numeracy, our fellows also work directly with the teachers, school leaders, and parents for holistic development.
Who are we looking for?
Spirited young graduates (between 20 and 30 years old) who are passionate about transforming the education system and are willing to commit to a two-year full-time fellowship. Your past experiences in volunteering and/or leading teams will serve as an advantage in understanding the problem at root and taking a collective approach for equitable education.
Where will my fellowship be?
In Chennai, Coimbatore and Trichy, Tamil Nadu
Do I need to know Tamil?
Knowing Tamil is not mandatory but will be an advantage.
Will I get paid?
Yes. You will receive a grant of Rs 25,500 per month for a period of two years.
The grant includes INR 5,500 towards allowances, including house rent, laptop, mobile, and reimbursements.
You will also be eligible for a Fellow Seed Fund of INR 1,00,000 upon successful completion and graduating from the fellowship.
How can I apply for the Bhumi Fellowship?
Please visit https://fellowship.bhumi.ngo/applynow to apply for the fellowship
How do I submit an excellent application?
Visit https://fellowship.bhumi.ngo/support
What is the duration of the Fellowship?
Two years. You will commit to working full-time at an under-resourced private/ govt/ govt-aided school where you are placed
Will I be trained during the fellowship?
Yes. The year begins with a training that equips fellows with the basic knowledge, skills, and mindsets required to set foot in a school. Further on, periodic learning circles address need-based knowledge and skill components. An exposure to other potential educators/education entrepreneurs in the ecosystem will also be offered through the fellowship journey.
What does the Bhumi Fellowship entail?
The Bhumi fellowship is a leadership journey in which fellows transform themselves by working with the school system. Fellows will solve key problems in their schools by working closely with children, teachers, HMs, and parents. With this experience, fellows join the system to transform it for all children.
What opportunities will be available to me after the Fellowship?
Fellows who choose to pursue an entrepreneurial journey will be supported in designing solutions to the problems they identify. Alternatively, they will be offered career opportunities with Bhumi or other like-minded organisations.
Will I be provided with any resources?
You are required to carry your own laptop (or equivalent device) for the two-year period, including the first month of training. Any materials for the school can be claimed as reimbursement (as per policy) on a monthly basis.
How will my entrepreneurial skills be developed during the fellowship?
During the 2nd year of your fellowship, you will create an iCubed project to drive lasting change in the school system. Through this – leadership, problem solving, project management skills get built, paving paths for social entrepreneurship and clarity on post-fellowship aspirations to pursue. There are seed funds, networking, and capacity-building opportunities to support you in this journey.
