The Esya Centre-ORF Applied Policy Fellowship

The Applied Policy Fellowship (APF) is a 13-week intensive, in-person programme in New Delhi for graduates and early-career professionals seeking to work in the policy ecosystem. Esya Centre and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), India’s largest non-government multidisciplinary think-tank, jointly offer this first-of-its-kind programme.

For more details on APF, visit here.

The Programme

Participants have the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of policy processes and profession and critical thinking skills needed to work in real-world settings. The APF brings together faculty and practitioners from across the policy ecosystem, spanning government, academia, civil society, think tanks, international organisations, and industry.

For a full list of our core faculty, please see here.

What the Fellowship Offers

  • Direct learning from experienced policy practitioners

  • Methods in policy research, writing, analysis, and advocacy

  • Engagement with stakeholders from government, private sector, and civil society

  • Access to Esya Centre’s and ORF’s diverse, global professional networks

  • A chance to qualify for placements with partner organisations

  • Fellowship certificate from the Esya Centre and ORF

 

Course Structure

The fellowship is an immersive, high-intensity programme where commitment and participation are critical. If you are ready to meet high professional standards and work at the pace of real policy practice, we invite you to apply.

  • Weekly Sessions: Saturdays, 6 hours; mix of lectures, workshops, and stakeholder interactions, with continuous feedback and input on assignments

  • Intensive Weeks: Three weekends (Fri–Sun) for deep dives into different policy themes

  • Methods and Practice: Embedded across all modules

More details about the course structure are available here.

How to Apply

We invite applicants from diverse academic backgrounds who meet the eligibility criteria to apply for the fellowship.

To be eligible, applicants must have completed a minimum four years of collegiate education. In exceptional cases, we may waive formal academic thresholds for candidates who demonstrate outstanding public interest experience or professional excellence.


For detailed information, please download the prospectus here.