New Age Indic Liberalism Fellowship at Swatantrata Center (Mini-grants up to Rs 25,000; 3 Months)

Swatantrata Center (Swatantrata Center for Human Flourishing Foundation) invites Expressions of Interest for the New Age Indic Liberalism Fellowship. The fellowship provides mini-grants to support students, researchers, academics, young professionals and content creators working on projects that explore the relationship among liberty, human flourishing and India's intellectual and Dharmic traditions.

It aims to encourage high-quality research, writing, advocacy and creative projects that deepen the understanding of freedom in the Indian context.

• Academic professionals: Master's students, PhD scholars, researchers, lecturers and early-career academics.
• Young professionals: individuals working in public policy, law, economics, governance, social sciences and related fields.
• Content creators: writers, podcasters, journalists, social media creators and individuals involved in public discourse.
• Students: undergraduate students with a demonstrated interest in classical liberalism, public policy, economics, governance or Indic studies.

The application form states that EoIs are welcome from individuals or groups.

Applicants may submit projects under one of the following themes:

• Emerging Technologies and Individual Freedom: artificial intelligence, blockchain, Bitcoin, nuclear energy and related technologies through the lens of freedom, innovation and economic empowerment.
• Indic Liberalism and Dharmic Governance: the historical, philosophical and intellectual roots of liberty, governance and human flourishing within Indian traditions.
• Grassroots Advocacy and Economic Reforms: projects advancing classical liberal ideas and promoting economic reforms, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and opportunity in India.

• Academic papers
• Dissertation or thesis work
• Paper presentations
• Policy op-eds and policy recommendations
• Podcasts and social media campaigns
• Advocacy events
• Other innovative project formats

• Mini-grant of up to Rs 25,000 per project, need-based
• Funds may be disbursed in multiple stages
• Mentorship and guidance
• Access to the Swatantrata Center network
• Support throughout the project period

Projects are expected to be completed within three months (including the final report) unless otherwise agreed.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Phase 1, Expression of Interest: submit your project idea, timeline and budget through the Google Form.
• Phase 2, Video Screening: shortlisted applicants are invited for a brief compatibility interview.
• Phase 3, Selection and Funding: successful applicants receive fellowship support and begin project implementation.

• Progress report: a brief written update with a check-in call with the Swatantrata Center team.
• Final report: a short report summarising project outcomes, deliverables, links and evidence of completion, followed by a final review call.

Fill in the Expression of Interest Google Form. It asks for your contact details, social media and LinkedIn links, a CV (optional if your LinkedIn is up to date), the project title, type and theme, a project description in under 300 words, a timeline of outputs, the expected date of the final report, the total budget and a budget breakdown. The form does not ask for any fee.

There is no fixed last date: EoIs are accepted on a rolling basis.