BN Yugandhar Rainfed Agriculture Fellowship (Batch – 2)
Application deadline 17th Aug 24
WASSAN (Watershed Support Services and Activities Network) is a network based non-profit organisation focusing on improving the quality of mainstream programs in natural resources management for enhancing livelihoods of the marginalised in the rainfed areas. Its work is mainly spread around on the rainfed agriculture in the drylands and tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand.
BACKGROUND OF SRI. BN YUGANDHAR FELLOWSHIP:
Sri. B N Yugandhar inspired many people in his lifetime to commit to the agenda of rural development. A scholar on land rights, as an active supporter of people working on bonded labour issues, as a champion of tribal areas’ development and their rights, as a person deeply committed to the issues of drought prone areas, as a champion of community-based rehabilitation and rights of the disabled, and as a champion of decentralisation of planning, Yugandhar inspired many people and touched many lives.
Much of what we do in WASSAN is shaped by the vision and insights of BN Yugandhar; we cherish fond memories of the great soul. He passed away on September 13th, 2019. On his 4th anniversary, WASSAN has instituted the BN Yugandhar Rainfed Areas Fellowship programme to inspire young scholars and activists to look deep into the above issues.
BNY FELLOWSHIP:
The key objective of this fellowship is to encourage, inspire and support young people to engage with and understand the core issues of development in which Yugandhar spent his lifetime. The fellowship provides an opportunity for the fellows to undertake field research with communities exploring the issues of interest in depth. The focus areas of the fellowship include land, labour and natural resource rights, especially in tribal areas; issues of forest fringe communities; issues of droughts and vulnerability; intersection of gender with these issues; and parity of public investments – within the larger context of rainfed areas. The fellows will be guided and mentored by an advisory group having a long-standing contribution in the area of research. The study report will be published by WASSAN.
NUMBER OF FELLOWSHIPS:
The program offers two fellowships spanning 6 months twice in a year with an overlap of 2 months.
LOCATIONS:
● Erstwhile KBK regions of Odisha
● Tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,and Jharkhand
● Dryland areas of arid regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
THEMATIC / SECTOR: Research and Policy
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
The fellows are required to have the following:
The candidates for this fellowship are required to be between the ages of 21 to 35 years with at least a bachelor’s degree preferably in Agriculture, Economics, Development Studies, social science, Law or any relevant qualification having a proven interest and sensitivity to the issues of equity and justice and some understanding of dryland areas/rainfed areas/watershed etc. Under this fellowship, the selected fellows will be given a grant to undertake field research studies, deep diving into the issue taken up for the study. The vision of the fellowship is to encourage younger scholars to involve and engage with these issues on the ground.
1. Age between 21 and 35 years
2. A minimum bachelor’s degree
3. A proven interest and sensitivity to the issues of equity and justice and some understanding of dryland areas/rainfed areas and familiarity with the subject proposed.
4. Having some knowledge of primary research will add more value to the candidature
Dalit, Adivasis, disabled and underprivileged women hailing from the regions they choose to study are given preference. Students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees interested in the research areas of the fellowship may also apply.
FELLOWSHIP:
A consolidated amount of Rs 50,000 per month shall be provided to the candidate, inclusive of travel, for a period of 6 months. Deductions shall be applicable as per the organisation norms and TDS as per law.
PROCESS OF APPLICATION:
1. The applicants need to fill out a google form attached:
https://forms.gle/Arvh8Zjhp9FQdiyN7
2. For the google form, the applicants need to get the following things ready: CV, Cover Letter and Proposal to study
LAST DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION: 17th August 2024
WASSAN is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages women to apply. WASSAN retains the right to withdraw the advertisement at any point in time without any further notice or explanation. Advertisement does not mean recruitment.
