National Foundation for India (NFI’s) is inviting applications from students pursing undergraduate or post-graduate studies for the second cohort of the Abhijit Sen Rural Internship The aim of the NFI’s rural internship program is to promote rigorous academic scholarship among university students towards the rural economy.
This 50-day research internship aims to provide students the opportunity to visit rural areas for field research, interact with the community and understand their socio-economic conditions and challenges. The internship will also initiate the interns in appropriate research methodology, and will help introduce them to relevant secondary literature.
About the Internship Program
The program is named in honour of the late Professor Abhijit Sen, a renowned economist who dedicated his work to rural development. The program encourages rigorous academic scholarship amongst university students and sensitize them to the challenges faced by the diverse rural communities in the country.
Abhijit Sen Rural Research Internship Tentative Dates
| Events | Dates |
| Application Deadline | 31st December, 2024 (Tuesday) |
| Shortlisted Candidates Announcement & In-Person Interview | February 2025 |
| Orientation Programme | May 2025 |
| Fieldwork (Internship Starting Period) | June 2025 |
Duration– 50 Days
Program Details:
The Abhijit Sen Rural Research Internship Program Details are mentioned below:
1. In-person Orientation and Formation of Cohort – 5 days
2. Field Visit – 30 days
3. Report Writing – 15 days
Positions
Up to 100 internships will be provided to students across India
Eligibility
Students pursuing undergraduate/post-graduate courses from any Indian university/ college/ technical educational institution.
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Broad Research Areas
Candidates are encouraged to choose research area and research topic of their choice from the below mentioned Research Areas:
- Agricutlure and Rural Livelihoods
- Non-Farm Sector and Rural Economy Diversification
- Labour, Livelihoods and Employment
- Migration and Mobility
- Social Identity and Inequality
- Environment and Climate Change
- Governance, Decentralisation and Policy
Selection Process
Written application, a brief essay exam, and final in-person interview. Women students and students from Dalit, Adivasi, Tribal and minority communities are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
1. Capacity building for guided and informed research, and advance knowledge in a topic of your choosing
2. Opportunity for exposure to rural India and civil society organizations working on rural issues
3. Fieldwork and Research Report writing experience
4. NFI will cover all travel, food and accommodation expenses
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Stipend
A stipend of Rs. 20,000 will be paid to the intern upon completion of the research report
Location
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
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FAQs
What is Abhijit Sen Rural Internship?
Abhijit Sen Rural Internship is a research-focused internship in which interns are expected to define a research topic of their choosing, undertake field research and produce a quality research report by the end of the internship period.
Is NFI’s Rural Research Internship Program a paid internship program?
Yes, you will receive a stipend of Rs. 20,000 on the successful completion of the internship, that is, after you submit the research report along with the supporting documents such as bills and receipts from your stay in the field.
Can i choose the state for the NFI’s Rural Research Internship Program?
The decision regarding placements of the interns will be made by NFI based on the research topics of the interns, the area of expertise of the host organization and the intake capacity of the host organization in the selected states.
Who will arrange for my accommodation during the internship?
NFI will make all necessary travel and accommodation arrangements during the internship. NFI will also cover the expenses of the same.
When and how will i receive the stipend?
We will start processing your stipend only after the submission of the research report at the end of the internship. Your stipend will be credited to the bank account under your name once all your bills and receipts have been processed at our end. You will be asked to provide us with your bank account details once selected.