IWP Fellowship: Telling India’s Water Stories

Water is the lifeblood of India—binding communities, shaping landscapes, and influencing everything from politics to culture. But its story is more than just a tale of scarcity or infrastructure; it’s a dynamic narrative of resilience, innovation, and transformation. Understanding how diverse communities interact with water offers deeper insights beyond crisis narratives, often revealing stories of resilience, innovation, and change.

The IWP Fellowship is an opportunity for storytellers, journalists and content creators to explore these dimensions and bring fresh perspectives to India’s water conversations.

Why Apply?

Since 2007, India Water Portal (IWP) has been documenting India’s water realities, publishing articles, research papers, interviews, and multimedia pieces from 12,500+ contributors in English and Hindi. This fellowship supports ground reporting and creative storytelling—from articles to photo essays and mixed media stories to highlight diverse water experiences.

What We Offer

We are selecting five fellows who are passionate about reporting on underrepresented regions and water stories that need more attention. Preference will be given to local storytellers with deep knowledge of their regions.

Fellowship Openings

• 3 Fellows – English
• 2 Fellows – Hindi

Fellowship Details

• Duration: 6 months (June–November 2025)
• Stipend: ₹25,000 per month
• Commitment: 15–20 content pieces (some developed as a series)
• Location: Remote — Fellows will report from their respective locations
• Travel Support: Travel expenses for field reporting (up to a certain cap) will be covered
• Application Deadline: April 31, 2025

Supported Formats

• Articles
• Photo-Essays
• Mixed media storytelling

What Fellows Receive

• Editorial mentorship from the IWP team
• Amplification of stories through IWP’s social media and partnerships

Focus Areas for Stories

Fellows are encouraged to explore water’s role in:

• Policy and Schemes
• People and Culture
• Innovation and Technology
• Livelihoods and Economies
• Environment
• Health

Who Can Apply?

We welcome storytellers with a strong commitment to impactful storytelling on water and environmental reporting. Preference will be given to those reporting from underrepresented areas and those with local insights. Prior experience in journalism is appreciated.

How to Apply

Fill out our online application form (English) (Hindi) by answering the following:

• Career Goals: How does this fellowship fit into your aspirations?
• Personal Statement: Why do you want to be an IWP Fellow?
• Writing Sample: A journalistic-style piece (published or unpublished) on water or the environment.
• Story Proposal: A 500-word pitch for each topic; include at least three topics you plan to explore

Note: Clear, well-researched story ideas with local insights will stand out!

Ready to apply?

Apply Now (English) | Apply Now (Hindi) – Deadline: April 30, 2025