YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship- Cohort 4.0
#IMPRI Gender Impact Studies Center (GISC), IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, invites you to #WebPolicyLearning
YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship- Cohort 4.0
Theme: Women Leadership in a Globalised World
Lead with purpose—step into the world of public policy and impact.
Learning, Training, Capacity Building, Interactions & Networking with Leading Experts with Flexibility
Fellowship Project- Blog, Creative Presentation, ISBN Book Chapter Publication Opportunities
Timeline
An Online National Winter School Program
A Three-Month Online Immersive Introductory Leadership Certificate Training Fellowship Program
January – March 2026
Details of the #WebPolicyLearning:
The fellowship duration is a total of 3 months. The first eight weeks comprise weekly two-hour Zoom classes covering both technical and program sessions. The next 4 weeks are dedicated towards the finalisation of the fellowship project.
Live Sessions with Experts & Program Team-
Dates: January 20 – March 8, 2026
Seven Consecutive Tuesdays & Special Session on March 8th (Sunday) on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Time: 4-6 p.m. IST
Platform: Zoom
Fellowship Project Timeline-
Blog Article Submission: 15 February, 2026
To be published on the IMPRI Insights Blog.
Creative Presentation: 3 March, 2026
To be presented live on IMPRI’s YouTube Channel–Fellows Presentation Playlist.
Book Chapter Publication Milestones
A structured pathway for the fellowship project culminating in the final publication to be published by IMPRI Books in an IMPRI ISBN Edited Volume titled the Anthology of Essays.
Abstract Submission: 1 February, 2026
Fellowship Project Discussion: Throughout the fellowship
Extended Abstract Submission: 1 March, 2026
Draft Final Chapter Submission: 17 March, 2026
Final Book Chapter (Post-Review): 31 March, 2026
Note: Detailed session dates & time will be shared via the Guidelines Document.
Registration & Scholarships
Registration form link: https://forms.gle/kyxU3Ju9NZvPWzLP9
Course Fee in INR (inclusive of GST):
| Professionals | Students | |
| Early Bird Discounted Fee (till Jan 4th) | 11,400 | 8,600 |
| After Early Bird | 13,600 | 10,500 |
Special 20 percent discount for IMPRI Alumni. Bulk Discounts can be availed for groups of more than 5 participants. IMPRI Alumni can avail benefits through the IMPRI Referral Policy for Alumni & Friends.
Payment of Course Fee: https://pages.razorpay.com/impricoursefee
Alternatively, can use any payment method from here: https://www.impriindia.com/payment-details/
Scholarship Details
To apply for the scholarships, please complete the
Scholarship Form link: https://forms.gle/SsffRzeZGJ1F2ZcE7
| Category | Number of Seats | Scholarship Details | Fee/Benefit |
| Fellowship Batch Size | 28 | Total number of participants in the cohort | — |
| Merit Scholarship | 4 | Awarded to top-performing applicants based on merit | Join at a nominal token fee of INR 4,500 |
| Partial Scholarship | 8 | Granted to deserving candidates based on merit and need | Up to 40% discount on the course fee |
Last Date to Apply: Jan 10th, 2026
Notification: Selected candidates will be informed via email.
About, Objectives & For Whom
The Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship (YWLPPF) – Cohort 4.0 is an Online International Winter School Program designed to cultivate young women changemakers dedicated to shaping inclusive, equitable, and future-ready public policy. Organized by the IMPRI Gender Impact Studies Center (GISC), this three-month immersive leadership certificate training fellowship offers an engaging platform for learning, dialogue, and hands-on engagement across key areas of governance, policy processes, social justice, and leadership. Through expert-led sessions, collaborative activities, and guided policy writing, participants gain the knowledge, confidence, and networks needed to lead with purpose in a rapidly globalising world.
Theme: Women Leadership in a Globalised World
In today’s globalised world—where economies, technologies, and societies are more interconnected than ever—women’s leadership stands at a critical crossroads. As global shifts reshape labour markets, governance systems, and political landscapes, women continue to lead transformative change across sectors. This fellowship explores how young women can navigate and influence these dynamic intersections, recognising their power to challenge structural inequalities, expand democratic participation, and craft more inclusive, just, and sustainable policy futures.
“Women Leadership in a Globalised World” places young women at the centre of discussions on governance, diplomacy, economic transitions, digital futures, climate action, and social movements. It acknowledges both the opportunities created by globalisation—greater access to knowledge, networks, and leadership spaces—and the persistent gendered barriers that remain. The fellowship aims to equip emerging leaders with the skills, perspectives, and agency to engage globally while driving meaningful change in their local contexts.
Objectives
To build a strong foundational understanding of public policy, governance systems, and the socio-economic issues shaping India’s development.
To equip and empower young leaders to critically analyze public challenges, question existing structures, and engage meaningfully with policy and governance processes.
To develop confident communicators who can articulate ideas effectively through writing, presentations, dialogue, and evidence-based arguments.
To foster analytical and research skills through hands-on learning, data interpretation, and exposure to practical case studies across diverse policy domains.
To nurture leadership capacity for informed participation in decision-making spaces, community engagement, and problem-solving initiatives.
To encourage meaningful contributions to public policy and social development through research outputs, publications, collaborations, and stakeholder engagement.
To cultivate a network of emerging practitioners committed to advancing inclusive, sustainable, and equity-driven policy and governance practices.
Key Highlights: Women’s Leadership & Global Governance; People, Power & Policy; Public Institutions & Democratic Processes; Gender, Equity & Social Justice; Global Frameworks & Local Action; Policy Research, Writing & Analysis; Interactive Discussions & Real-World Case Studies; Skill-Building Workshops in Communication & Leadership; Creative Projects, Blogs, Presentations & Publication Opportunities; Mentorship from Experts & Practitioners; Limited Scholarships Available.
For Whom
Professionals: Practitioners, researchers, policymakers, administrators, and development professionals across sectors.
Academia & Subject Experts: Faculty members, scholars, and domain specialists engaged in research or policy work.
Civil Society & Community Actors: Individuals working in NGOs, social enterprises, advocacy groups, or grassroots initiatives.
Interdisciplinary Thinkers: Those bringing cross-sector perspectives to policy, governance, and societal challenges.
Students: UG, PG, MPhil, and PhD learners from any discipline.
Applications from participants across disciplines, sectors, and regions are encouraged. IMPRI fellowships promote a multidisciplinary, inclusive learning environment that brings together diverse stakeholders to engage with real-world policy challenges.
Program Experts
Chair: Prof Vibhuti Patel, Visiting Distinguished Professor, IMPRI
Session Experts:
To be announced soon!
Convenors:
Dr Simi Mehta, CEO & Editorial Director, IMPRI
Dr Arjun Kumar, Director, IMPRI
Note: The final experts’ list along with session dates & time will be updated shortly.
Previous Cohort
Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship (YWLPPF)
Cohort 3.0 | July-Oct 2025
Fellows List
Fellows Creative Project PPT Video
Event Outcome Report
Fellows Blog List
Anthology of Essays by Fellows ISBN Book
Cohort 2.0 | January-April 2025
Fellows List
Fellows Creative Project PPT Video
Event Outcome Report
Fellows Blog List
Anthology of Essays by Fellows ISBN Book
Cohort 1 | Jan–March 2024
Fellows List
Fellows Creative Project PPT Video
Event Outcome Report
Anthology of Essays by Fellows ISBN Book
Program Approach, Outcome & Benefits
Program Approach
The fellowship uses a flexible, interactive, and applied learning model to help participants develop strong foundations in public policy and governance.
1. Flexible Learning
An online structure with live sessions, recordings, curated readings, and peer-support channels enables participants to learn at their own pace alongside academic or professional commitments.
2. Capacity Building
Expert-led webinars, thematic masterclasses, and guided research tasks build analytical, writing, and policy skills across governance, development, social justice, environmental issues, and related areas.
3. Applied Leadership
Through creative projects, research writing, and presentations, fellows engage critically with real-world challenges and practice leadership in policy dialogue and public communication.
Outcomes
Foundational Understanding: Develop a strong grasp of the public policy landscape, institutional processes, and key governance challenges.
Expert Guidance: Learn from domain experts through webinars, masterclasses, and structured mentoring.
Research & Writing Skills: Conduct focused research and produce well-reasoned analytical work.
Creative & Practical Application: Present insights through visual, narrative, or audio-visual formats that support wider discourse.
Publication Pathways: Contribute to IMPRI blogs, reports, and ISBN book chapters.
Peer & Professional Networks: Build relationships with peers, practitioners, scholars, and mentors.
Public Presentation: Present research in live YouTube sessions with expert feedback.
Benefits
- Membership in the IMPRI Alumni Network of emerging professionals and changemakers.
- Flexible online learning with live sessions, recordings, and accessible resources.
- Milestone-based structure to support steady progress alongside work or studies.
- Expert-led sessions to build strong analytical, research, and policy skills.
- Guided projects to apply concepts to real-world governance and development issues.
- Opportunities to present work, lead discussions, and collaborate with peers.
- Engagement with scholars, practitioners, and policymakers for deeper insights.
- Access to curated readings, course materials, and session recordings.
- Publication opportunities through blogs, reports, and ISBN book chapters.
- Presentation of work on live YouTube sessions with expert feedback.
- Recognition on IMPRI Insights, social media, and event outcome reports.
- Official IMPRI Certificate of Participation & Completion.
Session Details
The fellowship duration is a total of 3 months. The first eight weeks comprise weekly two-hour Zoom classes covering both technical and program sessions. The next 4 weeks are dedicated towards the finalisation of the fellowship project.
1. Technical Sessions
Live classes, interactive discussions and networking with leading experts, covering the core curriculum and subject matter in depth.
Session Topics & Experts: To be announced soon!
2. Program Sessions
The program sessions help in building the projects chosen by the fellows. These sessions feature live interaction with the experts regarding the projects. Sessions include:
- Participant introduction session
- Fellowship project discussion session
- Project Update Discussion Session
- Research article writing session
- Presentation session
- Feedback & Careers Session
Note: Exact session dates, times, and expert details will be communicated through the program Guidelines Document.
The Guidelines Document comprises the Templates for all required submissions, Submission guidelines and timelines, Reference materials for each submission, Reading resources shared by experts and Communication and coordination support.
Fellowship Assistance & Coordination: Dedicated Coordinators support participants throughout the program with the help of WhatsApp groups and IMPRI email.
Flexible Learning: All session recordings are available for 2 weeks post live session.
Fellowship Project
The Fellowship Project is the central experiential component of all IMPRI Fellowship Programs. It enables participants to apply their learning through research, analysis, and creative expression on contemporary policy, governance, and development issues. The project aims to generate original, high-quality insights that inform academic, professional, and public policy dialogues.
Project Outputs
Fellows produce three core outputs that become part of IMPRI’s public-domain documentation ecosystem—IMPRI Insights, IMPRI Books, and IMPRI’s YouTube Channel—ensuring safety, transparency, and long-term accessibility:
- Book Chapter: A well-researched, original written piece developed through structured stages—Abstract, Extended Abstract, Draft Chapter, and Final Chapter. Final chapters are published in an IMPRI ISBN Edited Volume (Anthology of Essays).
- Blog Article: A concise analytical or reflective write-up published on IMPRI Insights, highlighting key perspectives, findings, or thematic insights from the fellow’s work.
- Creative Presentation: A live presentation of the fellowship project on IMPRI’s YouTube Channel, using formats such as presentations, short films, documentaries, spoken word, poetry, or visual storytelling.
- Additional visibility is provided through IMPRI’s social media platforms, including Meet Our Fellows announcements, blog posts, fellows’ publication announcements, and the YouTube live presentation of the fellowship project.
- Fellows are encouraged to present their work — in seminars, conferences, and workshops — and are also expected to publish in journals, magazines, newspapers, blogs, books, and other platforms to broaden the reach and policy impact of their work. In this regard, the IMPRI team will provide all necessary assistance.
- A certificate of completion will be awarded to fellows and will be issued after the final publication is released.
- Overall, the outcome is to equip and empower fellows to engage critically with the issue, communicate their insights with confidence, and contribute meaningfully to advancing further research, advocacy, and social impact.
All submissions undergo plagiarism checks, quality review, and relevance assessment to ensure academic integrity.
Process & Support
- Mentorship from chair experts and the program team through live learning and training sessions on the fellowship project.
- Continuous feedback and guidance provided via email, WhatsApp groups, calls, and direct coordinator support to ensure steady progress.
- Access to templates, guidelines, reading resources, and timelines through a detailed Guidelines Document.
- Encouragement to present or publish research beyond IMPRI—at seminars, conferences, journals, and policy forums—to expand impact.
- All sessions and project presentations are highlighted across IMPRI’s social media and outreach channels, enhancing visibility and placing fellows’ work in the public domain.
Note: To explore some of the featured projects and outcomes, visit the “In Focus” segment below on this webpage.
Testimonials & Fellows’ Work In Focus
Fellows’ Work in Focus
IMPRI’s social media captures the fellowship experience at every stage — from welcoming fellows and featuring their work to sharing final publications and certificates. Selected samples are presented below.
FAQs
1. Do I need prior knowledge or an academic background in public policy or governance?
No prior background is required. The fellowship builds foundational to advanced understanding and is suitable for beginners as well as experienced learners.
2. What is the time commitment? Can full-time working professionals apply?
Yes, full-time professionals can apply. The program requires about 2–3 hours per week, including live sessions and preparation.
3. Will the online sessions be recorded?
Yes. All live sessions are recorded, and participants can access the recordings for 15 days after each session.
4. Will I receive an e-certificate?
Yes. All participants who complete the program requirements will receive an official IMPRI e-Certificate of Participation & Completion.
5. Will I get networking opportunities?
Absolutely. Fellows engage with experts, mentors, and peers through sessions, discussions, and collaborative work, becoming part of the wider IMPRI learning and alumni network.
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For queries, write to: learningatimpri@gmail.com
YWLPPF Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship- Cohort 4.0 | Theme: Women Leadership in a Globalised World | A Three-Month Online Immersive Introductory Leadership Certificate Training Fellowship Program | Jan-March 2026 | IMPRI #WebPolicyLearning
Organizer
IMPRI, a startup research think tank, is a platform for pro-active, independent, non-partisan and policy-based research. It contributes to debates and deliberations for action-based solutions to a host of strategic issues. IMPRI is committed to democracy, mobilization and community building.