[Applications Open] Youth for Tech Futures (YTF) Fellowship Program 2026 | The Pranava Institute x Leeds University

[Vasu Priya]

Hey,

We are excited to announce that applications are officially open for the Youth for Tech Futures (YTF) Fellowship 2026!

The YTF Fellowship is a 4-month research fellowship program for young people between 18-27 hosted by The Pranava Institute’s Youth Digital Cultures Lab (YDCL) in collaboration with the University of Leeds, UK.

What is the YTF Fellowship Program?

The fellowship will bring together a select cohort of ten research fellows (aged 18-27) to lead original, youth-driven research on how young Indians experience, navigate, and imagine their digital lives.

The program is designed to build relevant domain knowledge and equip fellows to conduct original research across three major thematic areas:

1. Youth and Meaningful Digital Inclusion
2. Youth and Non-Western Digital Futures
3. Youth and Digital Wellbeing

Selected fellows will have the opportunity to attend an exclusive, curated two-month academic program led by global faculty and practitioners from the fields of technology, social sciences and design, followed by a community capstone project. Fellows will have the opportunity to co-author a final research output.
 
YTF Fellowship is a fully paid program, with a generous fellowship stipend across the 4-month period of the fellowship. YTF fellows who complete the program will receive INR 1 Lakh as a take-home stipend.

Key Highlights:

• Four-month learning program: At the intersection of technology, policy, design, and society led by global and regional experts in the field- join us for masterclasses, online sessions, and expert-led workshops.  
• Paid Fellowship: YTF is a fully paid program.This includes a generous fellowship stipend and a fully sponsored 4-day in-person bootcamp in Bangalore (Jan 8-11, 2026).
• Conduct hands-on research: Conduct on-field workshops as part of the capstone project and learn how to work with qualitative data- from evidence collection to co-authoring a final research output.
• Earn a Certificate: Fellows receive an interim certificate for completing the fellowship training and a final certificate of completion.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome individuals aged 18-27 from anywhere in India, who are curious about the social impact of technology, passionate about digital inclusion and well-being, and eager to learn community research methods.

Application Timeline:

Applications Open: December 1, 2025
Last Date to Apply: December 15, 2025
Final Cohort Announcement: December 27, 2025

Application Link: https://www.youthdigitalcultureslab.com/youthfortechfuturesfellowship?utm_source=IHemail&utm_YTF1

Warmly,
YTF Team