Breaking Barriers Fellowship

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The Breaking Barriers Fellowship is a one-year, full-time program that places exceptional young professionals within the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and its leading national institutions. Fellows work at the heart of India’s disability rights ecosystem – supporting policy research, program implementation and citizen engagement to strengthen rights-based governance.
 
At its core, the fellowship aims to strengthen state capacity for inclusion and accelerate the realisation of India’s commitments under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 by embedding skilled professionals within government systems. It also seeks to build a cadre of young leaders motivated to advance disability rights and inclusion through sustained engagement with public policy.
 
Launched by Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) and the Nipman Foundation, and supported by the India Autism Center, this fellowship represents a first-of-its-kind effort to connect governance with grassroots leadership. It is both an opportunity for fellows to contribute meaningfully to public policy and a step towards making accessibility a lived reality for every Indian. The fellowship is backed by the United Nations in India, with UNICEF-YuWaah, UNFPA and UNV as the technical leads.
 
Jump to:   Placement Institutions   |   Fellowship Overview   |   Application Process   |   FAQs   |   Application Form

 

Placement Institutions

Map of India with highlighted locations—Delhi, Dehradun, Mumbai, and Secunderabad—representing placement or project sites.

Delhi:

Dehradun:

Mumbai:

Secunderabad:

 
Jump to:   Placement Institutions   |   Fellowship Overview   |   Application Process   |   FAQs   |   Application Form

 

Fellowship Overview

Illustration of one person standing on a stack of books helping another person climb up, symbolizing mentorship and support through learning.

Key Responsibilities

As a full-time Breaking Barriers Fellow, you will be embedded within your placement institute, working closely with teams to advance the inclusion agenda through research, program support, and stakeholder engagement.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Supporting policy and program design, monitoring, and evaluation as per the placement institute’s priorities.
  • Liaising with government officials, NGOs, practitioners, and community groups to strengthen implementation.
  • Drafting reports, briefs, and communication material for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Assisting in awareness and sensitisation initiatives.
  • Contributing to peer learnings, recommendations, and pathways for disability-inclusive policies.

 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Minimum qualification: a Bachelor’s degree (graduates and above are eligible).
  • Must be an Indian citizen, and less than 40 years of age.
  • Available for full-time, year-long placement in the allocated institute (preferences will be sought during selection).
  • Desirable:
    • Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
    • Prior work/ volunteer experience or strong interest in social impact, policy, governance, disability, law, education, psychology, or related sectors.
    • Specific expertise in areas of focus/ work of the DEPwD and allied host institutions.

 

Compensation & Perks

  • Receive a monthly stipend of ₹25,000, along with structured mentorship and dedicated support throughout the fellowship year.
  • Work full-time within national-level government institutions, contributing directly to the design, implementation, and monitoring of disability inclusion policies and programs.
  • Gain access to curated workshops, expert-led sessions, and peer learning forums and develop a strong foundation in disability inclusion, the purple economy, and universal design.
  • Engage closely with senior policymakers, civil society leaders, and disability rights advocates, guided by departmental mentors – opening pathways to future careers in public policy, law, development, and governance.

 

Jump to:   Placement Institutions   |   Fellowship Overview   |   Application Process   |   FAQs   |   Application Form

 

Application Process

 
The application process includes an online submission detailing academic and professional achievements, short essays, and references. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview and/or a written task. Final selections are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background, demonstrated commitment to disability rights, and alignment with the needs of the host institution.
 
Applications to the 2026 edition of the fellowship are now closed. Please sign up below or follow us on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram) to stay updated on future editions of the fellowship.

 
Jump to:   Placement Institutions   |   Fellowship Overview   |   Application Process   |   FAQs   |   Application Form

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to be a resident of the state/Union Territory I’m placed in?

We encourage applications from candidates based in the state/Union Territory they are applying to, as fellows will be expected to be based there during the fellowship. Placements are currently available in Delhi, Goa and Maharashtra. Candidates applying from elsewhere are also welcome to apply, but please note that relocation costs and accommodation will not be provided. 

2. Is this a full-time commitment? Can I pursue other work/studies during the fellowship?

Yes, this is a full-time fellowship (January 2027 – December 2027). Fellows cannot take up part-time work or academic programs during the fellowship period.

3. Is accommodation or housing provided as part of the fellowship?

No, housing is not provided. Fellows must arrange their own accommodation in the city where they are placed.

4. Will I receive a certificate upon completing the fellowship?

Yes, fellows who successfully complete the program will be awarded a certificate of completion.

5. Where were fellows placed in the pilot edition of the Fellowship?

In the pilot edition, fellows were placed with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD); Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD); The National Trust, National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) (AYJNISHD(D)), Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (Divyangjan) (PDUNIPPD). Details of placements for the upcoming edition will be shared with shortlisted candidates.