Opportunities
- Faculty Grants
- Student Grants
- Fellowship Program
- Youth Program
Motwani Jadeja India Fellowship Program
An immersive opportunity for mid-career U.S. professionals
The 21st Century India Center at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy announces the Motwani Jadeja India Fellowship Program. This prestigious new initiative is for exceptional rising leaders in government, military, private sector, nonprofit sector and media to deepen their understanding of India and U.S.-India relations. This program is open only to U.S. citizens.
What You Will Gain from the Experience
- Enhanced understanding of U.S.-India relations
- Insights into Indian industries and markets
- Direct engagement with Indian counterparts in your sector
- An expanded international professional network
- Academic mentorship from UC San Diego and leading Indian institutions
- On-the-ground experience across India’s dynamic landscape
Program Overview
Fellows will spend four weeks in India hosted by a partner university, with ongoing engagement with the 21st Century India Center before, during and after the visit. The program includes individualized fieldwork planning to set goals and identify relevant meetings with key organizations and individuals during the fellowship.
Costs covered by the fellowship
Round-trip airfare in coach or economy class
Lodging at or near the partner university
Ground transportation, meals and incidentals
Connect, Learn and Lead
While in India, you will be hosted by a partner university that will serve as a home base during your fellowship experience, and you will engage with Indian counterparts and other experts in your field through in-person engagements.
UC San Diego and the partner university will facilitate initial introductions to key stakeholders and experts. You will be encouraged to proactively seek out opportunities to visit relevant field sites, attend seminars and participate in public lectures to expand your understanding of the sector from an Indian perspective.
Through regular check-ins with UC San Diego and your host university, you will receive guidance and help navigating any challenges that may arise.
Symposium
In June 2026, you and your mentors will be invited to participate in a symposium in San Diego, where you will have the opportunity to network, share your learnings and experiences, and engage with program stakeholders from the U.S. and India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
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 May 2026
- Have a U.S. passport valid for six months beyond the period of your intended stay in India
Application Process
Application Deadline: Oct. 31, 2025
- Statement of Interest (250 words or less) addressing the following:
- Specific insights or perspectives you hope to gain from your fellowship experience in India
- How will you apply this to your work in the U.S., particularly in the context of U.S.-India relations
- How the experience will help you achieve your professional objectives
- Preferred month to begin travel (February, March, April or May)
- 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. 21, 2025
- You will receive information on partner university placement at this stage
Deadline to Accept: Dec. 15, 2025
Selection Process
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.
Pre-departure Information
Draft of Fieldwork Proposal: Jan. 4, 2026
A Zoom meeting will be scheduled to review your fieldwork proposal, detail your goals, identify key organizations and individuals to engage with in India and outline how these interactions support your objectives.
Travel Planning
After your fieldwork 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: Feb. 9, 2026 (via Zoom)
Expected Outcomes
We expect our fellows to produce tangible outcomes from their fellowship experience that are personalized and relevant to their professional growth that can be shared through our website and other platforms, such as:
- A policy brief on a topic related to the field of study
- A blog post documenting experiences and insights
- A video presentation or webinar sharing findings
We encourage our fellows to remain actively engaged with the 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.
About the 21st Century India Center
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.