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.
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.
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.
3 Fellows – English
2 Fellows – Hindi
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 30, 2025
Articles
Photo-Essays
Mixed media storytelling
Editorial mentorship from the IWP team
Amplification of stories through IWP’s social media and partnerships
Fellows are encouraged to explore water’s role in:
Policy and Schemes
People and Culture
Innovation and Technology
Livelihoods and Economies
Environment
Health
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.
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Writing Sample: A journalistic-style piece (published or unpublished) on water or the environment.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!
Apply Now (English) | Apply Now (Hindi) – Deadline: April 30, 2025