Motwani Jadeja India Fellowship Program

The program is primarily intended for those new to India, but applicants with prior experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that the fellowship will add a significantly new dimension to their careers.

Applicants should be:

• A U.S. citizen
• Have 7-10 years of professional experience
• Possess a strong record of professional achievement
• Have a strong interest in India and U.S.-India relations
• Have at a minimum a bachelor’s degree
• Be available to travel to India for four weeks between February and March 2027
• Have a U.S. passport valid for six months beyond the period of your intended stay in India

Application Deadline: Oct. 21, 2026

• Statement of Interest addressing the following:
  • Your goals for the fellowship: What do you hope to accomplish in India? What insights, knowledge or perspectives do you hope to gain, particularly around U.S.-India relations
  • Connection to your work in the U.S.: How will this fellowship advance your professional goals? How will you apply what you learn to your current role or future career?
• Additional Question:
  • Who you hope to learn from: A central goal of this fellowship is helping you build a professional network in India that lasts well beyond your time there. Name 4–5 specific organizations, institutions or individuals in India you would like to meet with for sectoral insights relevant to your goals, and briefly explain why for each. (150 words maximum)
• Select one of the center's three research pillars that most aligns with your objectives through this fellowship
  • Inclusive Growth, Global Competitiveness or Climate Change and Sustainability
• Professional resume or curriculum vitae
• Employer endorsement
  • Provide the name and email of an individual to serve as a reference who can confirm their support of your participation in this program, including a leave of absence from your position to travel to India

Notification: no later than Nov. 24, 2026

• You will receive information on partner university placement at this stage

Deadline to Accept: Dec. 3, 2026

A selection committee will review applications, conduct interviews and select fellows based on the following:

• Demonstration of how an understanding of India and U.S.-India relations can contribute to the applicant's future professional goals and aspirations
• Relevant past experience and achievements in the applicant's field
• Personal attributes that can foster effective cross-cultural understanding and collaboration
• Applicant’s background and goals in alignment with the center’s priorities

The committee will match selected fellows with a partner university that aligns with their proposed goals and interests. Please note that we cannot guarantee placement at any specific partner university.

Draft of In-country Engagement Strategy: Dec. 18, 2026

A Zoom meeting will be scheduled to review your in-country engagement strategy proposal, detailing your goals, identifying key organizations and individuals to engage with in India and outline how these interactions support your objectives.

Travel Planning

After your proposal has been approved, travel planning and arrangements will begin using UC San Diego's partner travel agency. Your travel expenses are covered, including airfare, lodging, ground transportation, meals and incidental costs. You are required to purchase travel insurance with emergency medical benefits.

Online Orientation: Jan. 18, 2027 (via Zoom)

Each fellow is expected to produce a policy brief as a tangible outcome of the fellowship. The brief should be relevant to the fellow's professional growth and suitable for publishing on our website and other platforms. Fellows are strongly encouraged to co-author the brief with their faculty mentor or another Indian counterpart.

If a fellow's topic is not well suited to a policy brief, we can work with them on an alternative substantive written deliverable that can be co-authored with an Indian counterpart.

We encourage our fellows to remain actively engaged with the 21st Century India Center community and contribute to its growth and development. As part of our commitment to fostering a strong network of leaders, we expect our fellows to:

• Stay connected with the center’s community and contribute to its activities
• Help recruit and/or select future fellows
• Be open to mentoring and advising current and future School of Global Policy and Strategy students interested in U.S.-India relations

By staying engaged, our fellows will have the opportunity to continue learning, networking and making meaningful contributions to the community.

The 21st Century India Center aims to foster a deeper understanding of India's economy, policies and people, and catalyze greater U.S.-India partnership through research, education and policy engagement.

The center focuses on three main priority areas: inclusive growth, global competitiveness and climate change and sustainability. Through rigorous research and strong ties across India’s government, private sector and NGOs, the center’s faculty affiliates are driving actionable insights and solutions that will shape India’s future and the vital U.S.-India relationship for decades to come.