Organization : Deshpande Educational Trust
Fellowship Name : Deshpande Fellowship Program
Applicable For : Young Social Leaders
Website : http://dfp.org.in/
Deshpande Fellowship Program:
The Deshpande Fellowship Program (DFP) is an 8 months residential program for young social leaders. Fellows receive the knowledge, skills, and practices necessary for success in the development sector. The rigorous program emphasizes the DCSE’s three core themes of innovation, scalability, and entrepreneurship, through various course modules, guest speakers, and field activities. Practical components play an important role in the fellow’s development as they test the theories learned in the classroom and develop skills in leadership and entrepreneurship. Throughout the program, fellows are pushed to learn, achieve, and develop into thoughtful, influential leaders. The DFP ensures that upon its conclusion, fellows can apply their teachings to their future careers.
What are the objectives of the DFP?:
** Build the fellow’s knowledge of the history and current context of development and social entrepreneurship, both in India and abroad.
** Establish the soft skills necessary for effective management and leadership.
** Train the next generation of social entrepreneurs and change agents in specific technical skills, providing them with the tools needed to leverage their efforts for significant change.
** Develop a network of human resources to innovate and implement both efficient and scalable approaches for resolving the most intractable challenges faced by developing countries.
Do I need to pay the application fee? How do I do it?:
Yes. Everyone must submit an INR 500 application fee in order to be considered. This fee must be paid at the time your application is submitted, by the application Last Date. The fee can be paid by cash, DD or cheque. DD and Cheque should be made out to Deshpande Educational Trust, payable at Hubli. If you are paying with a DD or Cheque, please be sure to submit the DD number or Cheque number with your application.
What are the differences between the DFP and other programs?:
The DFP is no ordinary academic or training program. It is uniquely focused purely on social entrepreneurship. While the program curriculum does include theoretical courses, emphasis is heavily placed on practical learning. Through practical learning, fellows are able to develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills, understand rural development, and learn on-the-ground from the area’s rich NGO network. Course instructors emanate from the top of their fields, including local, national, and international lecturers. Successful social entrepreneurs serve as guest speakers, adding to the practical and theoretical teachings by sharing their personal experiences to motivate and inspire. Fellows also have unlimited access to DF’s vast network of social and corporate professionals and non-profit organizations, and are encouraged to begin developing their own network.
What is the selection process?:
Everyone who submits a completed application must travel to Hubli at their own expense to undergo a reasoning test, individual presentation, and personal interview.
Who can submit the letters of recommendation?:
The letters of recommendation should be submitted by a senior officer at your previous employment, head of your academic institution, or a professor. Your recommenders should know you well, be informed about the program, and be able to attest to your qualifications for participating in the program.
Should the recommendation be a separate letter?:
Yes. The recommendation should be in the form of a letter addressed to the DFP, and at the minimum should address all of the points listed on the recommendation template. The chart on the recommendation template should also be filled out. The recommendation should not be in the form of a filled-out template.
Can I apply online?:
Yes. Please visit our online application and recommendation forms.Apply Now
How many fellows are accepted into the DFP?:
The DFP places heavy emphasis on individual attention, development, mentoring, and monitoring, and therefore keeps each batch in the range of 20-25 fellows.
Is living in the hostel compulsory?:
Yes, all fellows must live in the group hostel. Living together is an important way for fellows to build supportive relationships and learn from each other. Living together encourages fellows to help each other, read together, and exchange knowledge and ideas.
What is the program period?:
The fellowship is 8 months, including rigorous English language and technology training.
Is there a program fee?:
Yes. There is a fee of INR 40,000 for the 8 months program. Fellows must also pay for their accommodation. Accepted candidates may apply for a loan from Safe Hands 24×7 Pvt. Ltd., our incubation project the cost of the DFP Fellowship. Loans are taken independently by the fellows, at their liability.
Can the program fee be paid in installments?:
The INR 40,000 program fee must be paid in full before the Last Date at the beginning of the fellowship period (the Last Date will be disclosed upon acceptance to the program).
What happens if I have to withdraw from the fellowship?:
As soon as they enter the program, fellows are responsible for paying the entire program fee. If a fellow chooses to leave, the program fee will not be returned.
If I am older than 28, can I still apply?:
Yes. The 23-28 age range is only a preference, and typically 80% of accepted candidates fall within this group. The DFP will consider qualified candidates older than 28 years and younger than 23.