Banyan Impact Fellowship

The American India Foundation’s (AIF’s) Banyan Impact Fellowship is an interdisciplinary experiential learning program that places young professionals from India and the U.S. in service with development organizations in India. Through collaboration and capacity-building, Fellows and local communities exchange knowledge and skills to steer projects that advance social and economic development. Fellows learn about grassroots development and inclusive leadership.

Since 2001, AIF has selected, trained, and supported 490 Fellows and 214 partner organizations to scale impact, catalyze change, and build the next generation of socially minded change makers. AIF provides Fellows with a living stipend, health insurance, professional development, mentorship and programmatic benefits to enable their service. Selection of Fellows includes a written application and an in-person interview, followed by matching with potential partner organizations for projects.

Starting 2022, in addition to supporting service opportunities for Indians and Americans across Indian civil society organizations, the Fellowship Program will send social change professionals from India to serve across organizations in the US for capacity building and leadership development, thereby furthering the program’s mission of creating lasting ties between India and the US.

*AIF is planning for the program to be hosted in person, however reserves the right to change it to a hybrid model (i.e., a mix of in-person and virtual) if the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic requires it.