About the Opportunity

The purpose of the internship is for recipients to gain experience and insight in field ecology and conservation beyond what they would ordinarily gather from an academic programme and to facilitate interaction with the larger international community involved in conservation science and implementation. The programme funds selected individuals to carry out an internship abroad.

Duration and Value 

1. The programme will support 1-2 candidates.
2. Funding provided includes a living allowance, internship fees (if any), and return airfare  up to USD 10,000. 
3. The  internship must be for a duration of minimum 6 weeks to a maximum of 3 months. 
4. It  must be utilised within nine months of the date of award, with a  university research group, NGO, government agency or organization known  for its work in conservation science and practice abroad

Eligibility Criteria 

1. The applicant must be an Indian passport holder currently residing in India. 
2. The applicant must be born on or after 1st January 1996. 
3. Applicants  must have a Bachelor’s degree in any subject. 
4. They must demonstrate deep interest in wildlife ecology and conservation  through prior involvement in this field and their commitment to conservation and strongly justify how the opportunity will further      conservation in India. 
5. The Foundation particularly seeks young applicants with bold and unconventional ideas for tackling conservation problems.

Application Instructions and Process 

Fill out and submit application form on our Online Application System with all the necessary details by 11:59pm, IST on 31st March 2026.

Please ensure that your referee letter is submitted before the deadline for your application to be considered as complete. A request for Letter of Reference can be shared even when your form is in draft mode by entering your referee's email address and then clicking on "Send Request Now"

Selection Process 

1. All  the applications will be screened by a committee of experts and shortlisted candidates will be informed. 
2. An online interview will be conducted of the shortlisted candidates.

Other Details 

1. The  internship recipients must submit a detailed interim report and a final report at the end of their term. All reports must contain an account of  funds spent
2. Recipients will retain all rights over information generated during the tenure of the opportunity. They must acknowledge support received from the Inlaks  Shivdasani Foundation when and where they publish this work.

The Inlaks Residency at UNIDEE, Italy

In collaboration with UNIDEE, Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto Onlus' in Biella, Italy, a two-month Research Residency is offered to an Indian practitioner. This residency is created to support the practice of emerging artists with a situated and embedded practice. 

The aim is to provide inspiration, motivation, and instruments to activate, develop or strengthen artistic initiatives based on the involvement of local ecologies.

Duration and Value

1. The residency is for 2 months.
2. It includes the following support. 

• Return travel from India to Italy (including airport/Biella private transfer).
• Insurance (travel and medical insurance for accidents) and visa fees.
• Two months’ stay at Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto: single room in the premises shared with other international residents. 
• Cleaning services, use of shared studio space and workshop facilities. 
• Based on the research of the selected resident, expert visits, curatorial meetings, networking sessions will be organised.
• Study and research trips will be organised with the residents group to Venice (for four days), Turin and Milan (for one day each) to engage with the international art scene in Italy(hotel, food and travel are covered by the grant). 
• Up to 300€ budget for project production and communication, translations. 
• A per diem of 900€.
• If the resident is interested and has research related to the theme of UNIDEE 2026 Residency Modules they could participate (we will announce the themes and mentors this summer).

Eligibility Criteria

1. The applicant must be an Indian passport holding citizen and currently resident in India. 
2. The applicant must be born on or after 1st January 1991. 
3. The applicant may be an emerging practitioner (artist, curator, writer, activist, cultural practitioner, etc) from different background and with a different practice in the fields of socially engaged art and social practice, curatorial practice and community organisation.
4. The applicant must have a fluent knowledge of the English language.

Exclusions 

1. Applicants who have received prior grant from the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation for any overseas projects are not eligible to apply

Application Instruction & Process

The applicant must submit a duly filled application form on the online application system. As a part of the form you are required to upload the following documents:

1.  A single document containing a - a Detailed CV(2-page limit) 
2.  A portfolio including up to three recent projects (in PDF format).

Residency date: 7th September to 6th November 2026 Deadline for submissions: Wednesday, 15th April 2026, 11:59pm (IST)

Selection Procedure 

The submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by a jury consisting of representatives of Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation and UNIDEE / Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte Onlus who will then select a shortlist of candidates to be interviewed mid-June 2026. 

Final results will be released by the end of June 2026.