The National Foundation for India is inviting applications from undergraduate and post-graduate students for the Abhijit Sen Rural Internship. Prof. Abhijit Sen was one of India’s most distinguished development economists, teachers and policymakers. He was a Professor of Economics at CESP, JNU, Chairperson of CACP (1997-2000) and Member, Planning Commission of India (2004-2014) amongst other positions. His most important contributions include the recommendations towards remunerative MSP for farm produce and universal PDS, and his role in framing NREGA, NFSA and the Forest Rights Act, the backbone of social protection in India. He believed in the core principle of growth with equity and dignity for the poor and was a powerful advocate of decentralised governance. Prof. Sen was always keen on encouraging students to explore developmental issues and develop a scholarship that is rigorous, committed and informed by experiences on the ground. They are naming our rural internship programme after Prof. Sen to honour his legacy and work towards rural development and informed research.
NFI is starting the rural internship programme to sensitise undergraduate and post-graduate students towards the rural economy and the challenges faced by rural communities in the country and to promote rigorous academic scholarship. The 45-day internship will give students the opportunity to visit rural areas, interact with the rural community, and understand their social and economic conditions and challenges. During their stay in the village, interns will be supported by local community organisations working on those areas.
Interns are expected to define a topic of interest which they will explore through small surveys, interviews and focused group discussions with farmers/villagers on different aspects of the rural economy and produce a research report based on their study. Led by a senior development economist, the research process will be guided by a panel of experts who will work with the interns as academic mentors. All reports produced from this effort will be disseminated widely amongst NGOs and policymakers to ensure the sharing of learnings.
Programme details:1. In-person Orientation and Formation of Cohort – 5 days2. Field Visit – 21 to 28 days3. Report Writing – 15 days
Field Locations:
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra
Benefits:
1.Opportunity for exposure to rural India and NGOs working on rural issues2. Capacity building for conducting research and advance knowledge3. Fieldwork and Research Report writing experience4. NFI will cover all travel, food and accommodation expenses.5. A stipend of Rs. 20,000 will be paid to the intern upon completion of the research report.Positions:Up to 50 internships will be provided to students across India
Eligibility:
Students pursuing undergraduate/post-graduate courses from any Indian public university/college/technical educational institution.
Tentative Timeline:
Last date of application- 21st May, 2023Final selection- 15th June, 2023Induction and field work- 25th June-5th August, 2023
Selection Process:
Written application and final in-person interview Women students and students from Dalit, Adivasi, Tribal and minority communities are encouraged to apply.Applications will be accepted only through the online application available on the website. Last date for application is 21st May, 2023, Sunday by midnight
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