Fellowships In India
The Ahimsa Fellowship 2026-27

The Ahimsa Fellowship 2026-27

About The Ahimsa Fellowship 2026-27

Call for Applications: The Ahimsa Fellowship [8 Months; Cohort of 2026-27

Applications are invited from eligible candidates for the cohort of the Ahimsa Fellowship to be launched in 2025-26

About Ahimsa Fellowship

The Ahimsa Fellowship is a beacon of transformative leadership in animal protection, cultivating individuals to drive change across India. Over eight months, Fellows receive rigorous training to tackle critical animal protection issues effectively—they delve into diverse animal protection issues, developing tools to navigate complex advocacy landscapes; and are intensively trained to facilitate their leadership in advocacy efforts towards securing and implementing favourable animal protection policies.

The Ahimsa Fellowship emphasises on continual evolution, expanding with the Indian animal protection movement. It offers a unique learning opportunity for advocates, activists and persons inclined towards making a positive impact in the lives of animals to learn how to protect them through law enforcement and advocacy.

Forty-six committed Ahimsa Fellows have passed out from the previous three cohorts and are already making a difference, working with leading animal protection organisations in the country or launching their own initiatives. Starting from 2024, they established the Ahimsa Fellowship Incubation Cell that acts as a launchpad for innovative animal protection initiatives by our Fellows. It provides end-to-end support, from mentorship and funding to capacity building, helping them blossom into full-fledged organisations that strengthen the animal protection movement.

The Fellowship curriculum, curated with inputs from leading experts in the fields of animal protection. and the social and corporate sectors, emphasises principles of experiential and peer learning, leadership training, systems-building, and movement-building. Fellows undergo comprehensive capacity building in legal knowledge concerning animal laws, government procedures, law enforcement protocols, advocacy tools, and institutional structures. Additionally, they receive training in other pertinent advocacy modalities such as public outreach, field work and documentation, corporate engagement, media outreach and fundraising.

They invite applications from committed individuals who are motivated about contributing to the animal protection movement in India.

The Ahimsa Fellowship is powered by People For Animals Public Policy Foundation and People For Animals Uttarakhand. It is supported by Ahimsa Trust, Humane Society International – India, Mercy For Animals – India, Fish Welfare Initiative India, India Animal Fund, Kaivalya Education Foundation, Miranda House College (University of Delhi) and NALSAR University of Law.

Eligibility

* Graduation degree in any discipline
* Good communication skills [English and a regional language (desirable)]
* Between 21 and 39 years old
* Be available full time to attend the entire 8-month duration of the programme from their districts

Fellowship Offerings

* Mentorship: Guidance from leading experts in the field of animal protection and other allied fields.

* Scholarship Opportunities: National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), University of Hyderabad’s One Year Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Protection Laws

* Monthly Stipend: Financial support for assignments.

* Experiential Learning: Hands-on experience in various advocacy modalities.

* Peer-learning Opportunities: Exclusive sessions to learn from your peers at every stage of the Fellowship.

* National Network: Access to a vast network of animal protection organisations and Ahimsa Fellows from the previous cohorts. This network fosters collaboration opportunities, professional development, and a strong support system.

* Placement Opportunities: Fellows graduate equipped to launch successful careers as full-time animal advocates and receive support for placement within animal protection and advocacy organisations.

* Incubation Support: Opportunity to start your own animal protection initiative/organisation after completing the Fellowship.