Jaipur: The Community Innovator Fellowship Program (CIF), led by ACIC-VGU Foundation under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, has officially opened applications for its 2025 cohort.
The program is designed to empower youth innovators who are working at the grassroots level to address pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges through sustainable solutions.
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Community Innovator Fellowship Program: Enabling Grassroots Innovation
The Community Innovator Fellowship Program offers selected fellows comprehensive support, including:
- Financial Assistance: Monthly fellowship stipends to help sustain living costs and project development.
- Capacity Building: Structured training sessions on design thinking, project management, and business modeling.
- Mentorship: Access to a network of industry leaders, domain experts, and social entrepreneurs.
- Ecosystem Access: Opportunities to connect with NGOs, corporates, government agencies, and impact investors.
- Visibility and Recognition: Platforms to showcase their initiatives through events, media, and networking forums.
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Eligibility for Community Innovator Fellowship Program
Applicants must:
- Be between 18–35 years of age.
- Reside within a 30 km radius of ACIC-VGU Foundation, Jaipur.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or diploma in any discipline.
- Be actively engaged in working with and for their local community.
- Proficiency in English is preferred for training and reporting requirements.
Focus Areas for the Fellowship
The fellowship invites applications in the following areas:
- Sustainable livelihoods
- Education and skill development
- Health and sanitation
- Renewable energy
- Agriculture and agro-processing
- Handicrafts, textiles, and heritage preservation
- Digital inclusion and ICT-based solutions
- Climate action and environmental sustainability
Application Timeline
The last date to apply for the Community Innovator Fellowship Program is 21st August 2025. Shortlisted applicants will undergo an interview process, after which selected fellows will be onboarded.
Interested candidates can apply online through the official link provided by ACIC-VGU Foundation. For queries, applicants may contact sourav.acic@vgu.ac.in.
