JUST Fellowship 2026 in India: Fully Funded Field-Based Fellowship on Just and Sustainable Transitions

The Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA), in collaboration with Samata, has officially launched applications for the Just and Sustainable Transitions (JUST) Fellowship 2026. This unique four-month fellowship programme is designed to support field-based research, storytelling, and documentation around ecological, economic, and social transitions taking place across India.

The JUST Fellowship 2026 offers selected fellows the opportunity to engage directly with communities experiencing the impacts of mining, industrialization, climate transitions, ecological degradation, and shifting livelihoods. Through grounded research and community engagement, fellows will contribute to shaping conversations around equitable, democratic, and ecologically sustainable futures.

The fellowship particularly focuses on understanding how communities across India are navigating the realities of energy transitions, resource extraction, environmental degradation, labour transitions, governance challenges, and alternative development pathways.

About the JUST Fellowship 2026

The Just and Sustainable Transitions (JUST) Fellowship is a field-based initiative rooted in the idea that “just transition” goes far beyond simply replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.

The fellowship explores broader structural and societal questions including:

• Livelihoods and labour transitions
• Land rights and governance
• Ecological sustainability
• Community participation
• Public finance and welfare systems
• Resource governance
• Environmental justice
• Decentralised economies
• Community-led alternatives

Across India, communities are facing rapid transformations driven by:

• Mining projects
• Industrial expansion
• Infrastructure development
• Agricultural transitions
• Conservation projects
• Energy transition corridors

While many of these changes bring economic shifts, they also often result in:

• Displacement
• Ecological destruction
• Loss of livelihoods
• Increasing inequalities
• Social and environmental conflicts

At the same time, many grassroots organisations, local communities, and collectives are creating innovative alternatives rooted in ecological restoration, democratic governance, and sustainable livelihoods.

The JUST Fellowship aims to document these realities through immersive field-based work and accessible storytelling.

Fellowship Focus Areas

The fellowship encourages applications exploring a wide range of transition-related themes, including but not limited to:

1. Mining and Resource Extraction Regions

Research may focus on communities affected by mining operations, extraction industries, and resource conflicts.

2. Energy Transition Corridors

Applicants may explore how renewable energy projects, energy infrastructure, and decarbonization efforts are impacting local populations.

3. Industrial and Emerging Industrial Zones

Projects may investigate industrial expansion, labour transitions, environmental impacts, and governance structures.

4. Agriculture and Agroecological Transitions

The fellowship supports work related to sustainable agriculture, agroecology, food systems, and rural livelihoods.

5. Ecological Restoration and Conservation Landscapes

Fellows may document community-led conservation efforts, restoration projects, and biodiversity initiatives.

6. Transport, Infrastructure, and Urban Transitions

Research can examine the social and environmental consequences of urbanisation and infrastructure expansion.

7. Post-Extractive Futures and Community Governance

Applicants are encouraged to explore alternative models of development and community-led governance systems.

8. Public Finance and Welfare Systems

Projects may analyse financial mechanisms, public spending, institutional systems, and welfare approaches connected to transition processes.

Fellowship Duration and Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

Fellowship Duration

• Four-month fellowship programme
• Fellowship period: July to October 2026

Financial Support

• Monthly stipend of Rs. 40,000
• Travel support of up to Rs. 10,000 (where required)

Mentorship Support

Participants may receive mentorship support based on:

• Project needs
• Availability of thematic mentors
• Area of specialization

The mentorship component is intended to strengthen fellows’ research, documentation, and storytelling capacities.

Who Can Apply?

The JUST Fellowship 2026 is open to Indian citizens with experience or demonstrated interest in:

• Livelihoods
• Labour rights
• Environment
• Ecology
• Governance
• Public policy
• Media
• Community work
• Social justice
• Development studies

The organisers particularly encourage applications from:

• Researchers
• Journalists
• Independent writers
• Practitioners
• Grassroots workers
• Community organisers

Applicants should ideally have:

• 2–3 years of relevant experience
• Interest in field-based research
• Strong documentation and writing abilities
• Commitment to ecological and social justice issues

Fellowship Outputs

Selected fellows will be expected to produce:

1. Long-Form Research Article

• One in-depth article between 6,000–8,000 words

2. Public-Facing Article or Op-Ed

• One concise article between 800–1,200 words
• Adapted for public engagement and wider dissemination

The long-form outputs from all fellows will be compiled into a collective publication by the organisers.

Why the JUST Fellowship Matters

The JUST Fellowship stands out because it bridges multiple fields rather than fitting solely into journalism, academia, or policy research.

The programme creates a space where:

• Field realities meet public discourse
• Research connects with storytelling
• Community experiences shape policy conversations
• Ecological justice becomes central to transition debates

It also contributes to growing conversations around:

• Climate justice
• Democratic governance
• Sustainable development
• Equitable transitions
• Community-led resilience
• Public accountability

Application Deadline

Applications for the JUST Fellowship 2026 close on:

14 June 2026

Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare their applications early.

How to Apply

Applicants can access the fellowship concept notes in:

• English
• Hindi

Apply Here 

For more information about this fellowship visit here

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