EICBI EU India Emerging Leaders Fellowship
A two-month rolling remote fellowship offering practical experience and exposure to the work of the Europe India Centre for Business and Industry (EICBI)
The EU India Emerging Leaders Fellowship offers young professionals, students and emerging practitioners an opportunity to gain practical exposure to the evolving relationship between the European Union and India.
This is a voluntary, non-paid fellowship. It does not constitute employment with EICBI, and fellows will not receive a salary, stipend or employment benefits. The fellowship is designed primarily as a learning, professional-development and project-based experience.
Why Join the Fellowship?
The EU India relationship is entering an important new phase, with growing cooperation across trade, investment, technology, sustainability, climate action, connectivity and geopolitics.
The fellowship provides an opportunity to understand this relationship beyond news, media, textbooks and classrooms; by gaining exposure to the organisations, policymakers, businesses, diplomats, researchers and institutions that contribute to the wider EU–India ecosystem.
At the heart of a stronger EU India partnership is a new generation of leaders with the vision, curiosity and commitment to take the relationship forward. Meaningful and lasting cooperation depends not only on institutions and policies, but also on the people who will shape its future.
The EU India Emerging Leaders Fellowship is designed to provide young professionals, students and emerging practitioners with an opportunity to explore EU India relations, gain practical experience and contribute to the wider ecosystem through research, policy, business, communications and creative work.
Drawing on EICBI's long standing engagement in strengthening Europe India relations, the Fellowship seeks to connect and develop individuals who are interested in understanding the relationship beyond its traditional boundaries and contributing to its future.
A new generation of dynamic leaders is emerging across India and Europe; bringing fresh ideas, diverse perspectives and new approaches to trade, diplomacy, business, technology, sustainability, policy and international cooperation.
EICBI is committed to creating opportunities for these emerging leaders to learn, engage, contribute and connect, while building the knowledge and experience needed to play a meaningful role in the future of EU–India relations.
EICBI convenes high-level dialogues bringing together Members of the European Parliament, national parliamentarians, diplomats, business leaders, and emerging leaders to advance collaboration across the European Union–India and wider Europe–India corridor. The organisation has convened major parliamentary summits and business forums at the European Parliament in Brussels and the British Parliament in London, engaging thousands of delegates from companies, governments, and institutions over the past decade.
A flagship initiative of EICBI is the EuropeIndia40 Leaders List, an annual recognition platform launched in 2019 that identifies and connects the next generation of leaders under the age of forty who are shaping Europe–India relations across business, policy, and civil society.
Through conferences, leadership platforms, publications such as the Europe India Journal, and engagement with EU institutions and regional governments in India, EICBI works to strengthen trade, investment, innovation partnerships, and strategic cooperation between Europe and India.
Our Impact
38
Parliamentary sessions
Sessions at the
EU Parliament in & UK Parliament
12
Diplomatic Visits
Coordinated Visits of European Parliamentarians & EU country Ambassadors
2992
Companies Engaged
Companies from India, EU and UK who have participated
53
Members of Parliament engaged
MPs from India, European Union and United Kingdom who participated in the sessions
07
EuropeIndia40 annual leaders list since 2019
Annual compilation of leaders under 40 in the EU India/ wider Europe India corridor.
198
NextGen Leaders recognised
A growing alumni of Next Gen leaders contributing to EU India/ wider Europe India relations.
Why do you gain as part of the fellowship ?
The EU India relationship is entering an important new phase, with growing cooperation across trade, investment, technology, sustainability, climate action, connectivity and geopolitics. The fellowship helps you to gain exposure to the organisations, policymakers, businesses, diplomats, researchers and institutions that contribute to the wider EU India ecosystem.
As a fellow, you will have the opportunity to:
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Gain practical exposure to EU India policy and stakeholder engagement
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Develop your understanding of European and Indian perspectives on key issues
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Work on a defined EU India project
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Develop research, analytical, communications or strategic skills
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Gain exposure to EICBI's policy dialogues, publications and engagements
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Learn how policy ideas are researched, developed and communicated
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Present your work to the EICBI team at the end of the fellowship
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Build a portfolio of work that can support your future academic or professional journey
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Receive a digital EICBI Fellowship Certificate upon successful completion of the programme.
From Emerging Leader to EuropeIndia40
The EU India Emerging Leaders Fellowship is designed as an opportunity for young professionals and emerging practitioners to develop their understanding of EU India relations, gain practical experience and contribute to meaningful projects.
While the EU India Emerging Leaders Fellowship is open to applicants of all ages, fellows under 40 who demonstrate leadership, meaningful impact and a sustained commitment to strengthening EU–India relations may have the opportunity to progress into EICBI’s wider EuropeIndia40 ecosystem, subject to the programme’s eligibility and selection criteria.
Choose Your Fellowship Pathway
The fellowship is designed to accommodate participants with different interests and skill sets.
Policy & Research
For students and professionals interested in international relations, public policy, political science, economics, trade, diplomacy or sustainability.
Possible projects include:
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EU India Free Trade Agreement
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EU India trade and investment
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Climate and clean energy cooperation
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Digital and technology policy
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Global Gateway
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Sustainable value chains
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EU regulatory developments affecting Indian businesses
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EU–India strategic and geopolitical relations
Typical final output:
A short policy brief, research paper or policy presentation.
Business & Strategy
For those interested in international business, economics, management, entrepreneurship and the EU India business corridor.
Possible projects include:
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Emerging opportunities for Indian businesses in Europe
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European investment opportunities in India
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Sector specific EU India opportunities
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Market access and regulatory challenges
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EU India supply chains
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SME cooperation
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Emerging sectors within the EU India corridor
Typical final output:
An EU India opportunity or sector brief, business analysis or strategic presentation.
Communications & Creative
For applicants interested in communications, graphic design, digital media, video, storytelling, public diplomacy or social media.
Fellows may work on projects such as:
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EU India visual explainers
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Infographics and data visualisation
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Short form videos
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Social media campaigns
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Digital storytelling
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Interviews and profiles
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EICBI event communications
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Visual content for The Europe India Journal
Typical final output:
A creative project, visual story, video, communications campaign or digital content package.
Media & Journalism
For aspiring journalists, writers and media professionals interested in international affairs and Europe India relations.
Fellows may explore:
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EU India trade and politics
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Business and investment
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Diplomacy
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Sustainability
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Technology
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India EU institutional relations
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Profiles and interviews with relevant stakeholders
Typical final output:
A feature article, interview, analysis or multimedia story.
Your Fellowship Project
Every fellow will undertake an EU–India Capstone Project during the fellowship.
The project will be developed according to the fellow's interests and selected pathway.
It could be a:
Policy Brief | Research Paper | Business Analysis | Feature Article | Interview | Video | Infographic Series | Digital Campaign | Visual Story | Presentation
At the end of the fellowship, fellows will present their work to the EICBI team.
Selected projects may also be considered for publication or dissemination through EICBI's platforms, subject to editorial review.
What Will You Experience?
During the fellowship, you may have the opportunity to gain exposure to:
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Policy: Understand how EU–India policy issues are discussed and communicated.
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Research: Work on a defined issue and develop evidence-based analysis.
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Stakeholder Engagement: Gain insight into how policymakers, diplomats, businesses, academia and civil society interact within the EU India ecosystem.
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Communications: Learn how complex international-policy issues can be translated into accessible content.
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Events & Dialogues: Participate in selected EICBI engagements and discussions, subject to the nature of the programme and available opportunities.
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Publications: Gain exposure to EICBI's research and publishing activities, including The Europe India Journal.
A Rolling Fellowship
Unlike a fixed annual internship intake, the EU India Emerging Leaders Fellowship operates on a rolling basis.
Selected fellows can begin their two-month fellowship at an agreed starting date, subject to availability and programme requirements.
Duration: Two months
Format: Remote
Intake: Rolling
Location: Remote, with selected opportunities for participation in EICBI engagements where applicable
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from motivated individuals who have a genuine interest in the relationship between the European Union and India.
Applicants may include:
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University students
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Recent graduates
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Young professionals
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Researchers
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Aspiring diplomats
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Journalists and writers
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Entrepreneurs
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Communications and creative professionals
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Individuals working or studying in international affairs
Applicants do not need to come from a specific academic background.
What matters most is curiosity, initiative, commitment and a genuine interest in EU India relations.
What You Will Receive
Successful fellows who complete the programme and their agreed project will receive:
Digital EICBI Fellowship Certificate
recognising successful completion of the EU India Emerging Leaders Fellowship.
Fellows will also have a tangible project or body of work that they can use as part of their academic or professional portfolio.
Where appropriate, selected fellows may also be considered for opportunities to contribute to EICBI's publications, communications or future engagements.