Young Tinker Fellowship
A full-time immersive program designed for passionate, purpose-driven individuals aged 21–27 who want to make a tangible impact in the field of hands-on education, innovation, and social change.
Applications close on the last day of this month
Build impact through education, innovation and leadership with Young Tinker Foundation
Why Young Tinker Fellowship?
- Because real learning happens on the ground—not in classrooms alone. Work directly with marginalised schools in urban and rural areas.
- Because India needs youth with entrepreneurial skills who can feel the pulse of grassroots challenges and innovate.
- Because you will take Young Tinker’s problem-solving pedagogy to thousands of schools and millions of students across India—and beyond. ToW (Tinker on Wheels) and YTS ( Young Tinker Space) are the best way to do it.
Because this is much more than a traditional master’s degree.
Am I Eligible?
You can apply if
- You are aged 21-27
- You have any graduation degree, or will graduate within 6 months of applying
- You are eligible to work in India (Indian citizen or holder of a valid work visa)
- You have a passion for education, grassroots innovation and rural development
- You have a valid 2-wheeler or 4-wheeler driving licence (needed for the full living allowance)
No licence yet? Submit a written request committing to get it before joining. Delays may lead to a reduction in allowance.
This may NOT be for you if
- You are looking for a regular job. This is not a job.
- You want an easy-going experience with minimal responsibility
- You are not genuinely interested in learning and growing
- You have a complaining mindset rather than a problem-solving one
- You struggle to keep discipline, consistency and a daily routine, on time
- You do not want to take ownership of your work and outcomes
- You want a certificate more than an experience that challenges you
Young Tinker Fellowship (Field Impact Track)
TEACH. INSPIRE. TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES.
Designed for individuals passionate about teaching, grassroots engagement, and experiential learning in schools and communities.
- Conduct classroom sessions in schools
- Engage directly with students and schools
- Work closely with communities
- Gain real field experience
Locations: Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra
Young Tinker Fellowship (Org Impact Track)
LEAD OPERATIONS. BUILD SYSTEMS. DRIVE IMPACT
Perfect for candidates interested in communication, HR, outreach, coordination, partnerships, and organizational leadership.
- People & Culture
- Outreach & Partnerships
- Communication & Digital Teams
- Coordination & Operations
Locations: Odisha
Fellowship Comparison
| Feature | 8-Month Fellowship | 24-Month Fellowship |
|---|---|---|
| Focus Area | Teaching & Field Work | Organisational Development |
| Duration | 8 Months | 24 Months |
| Best For | Field Teachers: you love teaching and want hands-on grassroots experience | HR, Outreach, Digital & Coordination Teams: you want career growth in operations, leadership and team management |
| Learning Style | Classroom + Community | Team + Operations |
| Travel | High(inside district) | Low |
| Career Exposure | Education & Field Work | NGO Operations & Leadership |
| Stipend | ₹26,509 | ₹26,509 |
Fellowship Support Structure
Total Monthly Support
₹26,509
Monthly Support
* Completion Grant is provided after successful completion of the fellowship tenure.
Our 4-step selection process
-
Application Submission
Candidates will first complete the application form.
-
Telephonic Interview
All applicants will go through an initial telephonic round.
-
Assignment Submission
Shortlisted candidates will be given an assignment to complete.
-
Personal Interview
Candidates shortlisted from the assignment stage will appear for the final virtual interview.
Selection takes 1 month or less. If you have not heard from us within a month of applying, your application has not been selected this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Young Tinker Fellowship 2026 gives INR 26,509 a month (from 1 Feb 2026):
- INR 16,509 living stipend
- INR 4,000 Travel Allowance (TA), for field visits and on-ground activities only
- INR 6,000 refundable Completion Grant, held each month and paid at the end of the fellowship on successful completion
See the Fellowship Support Structure above for the full breakdown.
No. The stipend is given to support you during your fellowship journey, so you can focus fully on the work. Please do not treat it as a salary.
The Young Tinker Fellowship is not a job. It is a responsibility: as a Fellow you reach thousands of children and people, and you make sure the same quality is delivered everywhere you work.
The Travel Allowance covers official travel between the office/project location and designated work sites such as schools or administrative offices. Travel to or from personal residences and accommodation expenses are not covered. TA is reimbursed monthly based on actual expenses, subject to prior approval from the reporting manager, submission of original bills, and adherence to approved travel routes.
The Young Tinker Fellowship is currently operational across Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
No, fellows cannot directly choose their location. Location allocation is done by the Fellowship team after considering multiple factors, including educational background, prior work experience (if any), areas of interest, extracurricular involvement, and overall performance during the Young Tinker Fellowship recruitment process.
The Young Tinker Fellowship gives Fellows 8-24 months of real-world experience working on problems that create measurable impact.
During the Fellowship, Fellows develop practical skills such as leadership, confidence, public speaking, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, project management, discipline, consistency, and impact measurement.
After completing the Fellowship, Fellows have gone on to work with impact organisations, corporates, schools, and other mission-driven institutions. The skills developed during the Fellowship are transferable across these sectors.
Fellows who want to build their own impact organisation, company, school, or other initiative can also apply for support through Young Tinker Foundation after completing the Fellowship. There is a mandatory 3-month cooling-off period after the Fellowship before applying.
We also absorb a small number of Fellows into our own organisation based on organisational needs and individual performance.
The Young Tinker Fellowship has an application success rate of less than 1%, making it a highly selective programme.
This is not simply a fellowship where you attend sessions and receive a certificate. It is designed to build discipline, consistency, leadership, and the ability to create measurable impact.
Throughout the Fellowship, Fellows receive:
- Structured impact tracking throughout their journey
- Real-world experience working directly with communities and stakeholders
- Continuous learning through action and responsibility
- Development of professional and leadership skills
- A certification based on actual work and outcomes
- A strong culture of discipline and consistency
- Lifelong connection with the Young Tinker Fellowship community and peers
The Fellowship is built around one principle: learn by doing, create measurable impact, and become capable of leading yourself and others.
Yes — if you are easy-going about your commitments and unwilling to work consistently.
It is easier if you are here to learn, take responsibility, and give back.
We expect Fellows to do dedicated, focused work and deliver on the goals they commit to. Unlike a traditional programme where participation itself may be considered success, we work with each Fellow to set specific goals, track progress, and achieve measurable outcomes within a defined timeline.
The Fellowship is challenging because real impact is challenging.
But if you are willing to learn, work consistently, take ownership, and grow through the process, the Fellowship becomes a powerful learning experience.
Yes — but the funding opportunity is not limited to Fellows.
Young Tinker Foundation’s grants are open to eligible applicants. However, our Fellows have an additional advantage because we already have evidence of their work, consistency, leadership, and impact during the Fellowship.
They do not have to spend time convincing us that they can create impact as an individual — we already have their track record and impact data.
After the Fellowship, Fellows can apply for funding to build or test their:
- Impact projects
- Startups
- Schools
- Social enterprises
- Non-profit organisations
- Other initiatives that create meaningful impact
However, Fellows become eligible to apply only after completing a mandatory 3-month cooling-off period.
This three-month period is intentional. It gives Fellows time to take their idea outside the Fellowship environment, put it on the ground, test it, learn from real users or communities, and refine the idea.
After those three months, they can return with stronger evidence and apply with greater clarity and conviction.
The Fellowship does not promise funding. It gives you an opportunity to earn the right to be considered for it through your work and track record.
Applications close on the last day of this month