The Summer in South Asia fellowship supports students who undertake independent, immersive, distinctive, and challenging projects in India for a minimum of four weeks. Each project is unique to each student, and every project entails a significantly new experience for that student.
University of Michigan students with at least one year of undergraduate education remaining are eligible to apply.
How much financial support does the fellowship provide? Each fellow receives $4,500.
How many students will receive a fellowship? Up to ten students may receive a fellowship each year.
How long do I need to be in India? The minimum requirement is four weeks, but students have stayed up to four months.
What are the requirements of the fellowship? Along with the minimum four weeks stay in India, you must write a weekly blog post while you are there, write a final report based on your experiences, and present your work at the Summer in South Asia Symposium the following Fall semester.
Will I be going with other students? The SISA fellowship enables independent experiences in India. For this reason, while you will get to know the other fellows during orientation, your time on the fellowship will be spent making new connections in India itself.
What kind of project will I be able to do? Your project should represent a distinctive new experience for you. It should immerse you within a particular Indian context; it should encourage you to grow and learn in new ways; it should highlight your capacity to address challenges independently as they arise. The details are up to you!
Can I combine this fellowship with a more structured program, such as a paid internship or study abroad? If you are already planning on a structured program in India, you can apply for the fellowship to support a separate project – one that is immersive, independent, and challenging, and at least four weeks in duration. This project can occur in the same summer, but you would pursue it before or after the structured program.
What are some past examples of volunteer experiences and projects?
- Evaluation of women’s empowerment project in Kalol, India
- Following the production of a piece of clothing in India
- Working at a hospital/clinic
- Researching urban planning techniques in two different Indian cities
Do I need a project mentor before applying? A project mentor is recommended if you plan to carry out an independent project.
When and how do I find an organization to work for if I wish to work at an Indian NGO, for-profit company, or government organization? While a confirmed invitation from an Indian organization is not required before submitting your application, you should begin searching for a suitable organization as soon as possible. Staff at CSAS can help advise students on their search process.
Where will I stay? Past fellows have stayed in guesthouses, homestays with someone who works within the organization or on site.
Am I allowed to go anywhere in India? There are certain parts of India for which students need special permission. Please consult the university’s “Travel Restriction Destinations” information on the Global Michigan website for updated travel information.
Can I apply to multiple sources of funding? Yes. We encourage students to apply for other sources of funding.
