The
Inlaks Foundation was established in 1976 by Indoo Shivdasani to
incorporate his existing philanthropic activities and to provide a
permanent, independent body for the expansion of these activities. The
Foundation has now been renamed the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation.
The
Foundation focuses on providing scholarships, grants and awards in
various fields to outstanding young Indians to enable them to develop
their professional, scientific, artistic and cultural abilities, both
abroad and in India. It prides itself on being open to a wide range of
subjects, many of which are not covered by other fund-giving bodies.
Over the last four decades, more than 460 scholars have benefited from
overseas scholarships while over 600 others have received awards and
Take-Off Grants in India and abroad. Opportunities in India are offered
through the Inlaks India Foundation.
The
list of Inlaks alumni reflects the diversity of scholars that the
Foundation has supported. Today many are leaders in their chosen fields
the world over.
The
key to the Inlaks approach is recognising and honouring individual
talent. The Foundation looks for the unusual, searches out the special
and spots people with promise. And once convinced, the Foundation does
everything possible to encourage the candidate.
In
2008, the Foundation instituted the Inlaks Research and Travel Grant to
enable registered PhD students of Indian universities to undertake
short-term visits to institutions abroad to collect material, use
facilities and consult experts.
The
Foundation supports the causes of conservation and biodiversity which
has led to the creation of the Inlaks Ravi Sankaran (RS) Programme.
Within this programme, the foundation supports three kinds of
activities: study toward a Master’s degree in an institution abroad; an
internship with an institution abroad; and research or implementation
projects within India.
In
the last few decades, Indian art has enjoyed a vibrant and flourishing
presence globally, although the financial support to young artists
entering the domain has remained limited. With this in mind in 2012 the
Fine Arts Award was enhanced and artist residencies were offered as part
of the award to young emerging artists.
The
Foundation has stepped up its support to the arts in many fields. An
annual Curatorial Lab was supported and funded at the School of Arts and
Aesthetics at JNU. Residencies are offered to artists and curators as
well as to dancers and choreographers, both in India and overseas. With
young artists and curators support is extended with the opportunity to
exhibit. Museum professionals are supported at the ITP programme
conducted by the British Museum.
About the Fellowship
Due
to economic pressure, the norm in India is for young graduates to join
the workforce immediately, which inhibits sufficient self-exploration
and often leaves young people with little space to develop critical
thinking and a broader view of the world. This impedes many talented
individuals from engaging with society in a meaningful way.
The
Inlaks Shivdasani Fellowship for Social Engagement will give graduates
and early to mid-career professionals the confidence and security to
explore alternatives and make independent choices about their lives
while contributing to social change. The fellowship aims to increase
participation in public life among young people while encouraging them
to challenge the status quo.
The
fellowship will give young people the opportunity to work with a mentor
of their choice and involve themselves in a process where knowledge
drives social change. The work pursued may take many forms, including
action-oriented research, cause lawyering, grassroots journalism,
conservation efforts, minority rights, public health etc. The fellowship
will give participants the chance to build a diverse worldview and
establish long-lasting connections to issues of public importance.
The
fellowship is committed to supporting equality of opportunity, social
inclusion, freedom of expression, and respect for individual and
constitutional rights.
Eligibility
Six fellowships will be awarded across the following two categories:
Graduates (applicants must not have attained the age of 30 years as on 15.5.2022 and must have a bachelor’s degree); and
Early
to mid-career professionals (applicants must not have attained the age
of 35 years as on 15.5.2022 and must have at least 3 years of relevant
work experience).
Equal consideration will be given to candidates from urban and rural areas.
Fellowship Award
Depending on the geographical location of the fellow, the fellowship stipend will be as follows:
45,000 per month if the fellow is living and working in a “X” category area.
35,000 per month if the fellow is living and working in a “Y” category area.
25,000 per month if the fellow is living and working in a “Z” category area.*
In
exceptional cases, additional funding up to a maximum of Rs. 20,000 can
be granted for special projects undertaken by a fellow. This will be
approved on a case-by-case basis upon submission of a proposal
describing the particulars of the said initiative and the expenses
involved.
The
fellowship will last for 2 years subject to satisfactory completion of a
probation period and quarterly and annual review of the fellows’ work.
The probation period will be for the first 6 months of the fellowship.
The stipend will be disbursed half yearly in advance. The stipend is
subject to timely receipt of quarterly reports in which fellows self
assess their progress. These reports will be reviewed and commented on
by their mentor before submission.