Many students and working professionals are searching about AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship 2026 nowadays.
Some already heard about this fellowship, but still confuse what kind of work it involves and who can apply.
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So in this post, I will explain everything about AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship 2026 in very simple words, without any complicated explanation.
What is AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship?
AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship is basically started for young professionals who want to work in social development sector, especially related to US-India collaboration.
This fellowship is offered by American India Foundation (AIF) in partnership with The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health (BALM).
The main aim is to create leaders who can work on mental health, social justice and community development at ground level.
Many applicants apply every year, but later face issue because they don’t fully understand the program structure.
Important Dates – AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship 2026
Below are the important dates you should remember:
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Application Deadline: January 30, 2026
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Interview and selection rounds will be conducted after shortlisting
Notice: Don’t wait till last date, because portal may get busy.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
Below is basic eligibility for AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship 2026:
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Applicant should be Indian citizen
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Graduation is mandatory (any discipline)
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Interest in social impact and development sector required
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Professionals with 1–5 years experience preferred
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Strong motivation to work in mental health and community sector
Freshers can apply, but relevant experience is always plus point.
Required Documents
Before applying, keep these documents ready:
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Updated Resume / CV
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Statement of Purpose (SOP)
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Academic certificates
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Identity proof
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Reference details (if asked)
If SOP is not written properly, chances of rejection increase, so take time.
How to Apply for AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship 2026
Follow below steps to apply online:
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First visit the official American India Foundation website: https://aif.org/
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Go to Fellowship section and select Banyan Impact Fellowship
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Click on Apply Now option
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Fill application form carefully
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Upload required documents
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Submit application before deadline
Many time people face error during submission, so apply early.
Selection Process
Selection process usually includes:
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Application screening
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SOP evaluation
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Interview round
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Final selection
Selection is based more on motivation and mindset, not only marks.
Fellowship Benefits
Main benefits of AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship are:
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Hands-on work in social development sector
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Exposure to US-India social initiatives
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Leadership and mental health training
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Strong professional network
Overall, fellowship is very helpful for long-term career in social sector.
Common Problems Faced by Applicants
Some common problem applicants face:
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Confusion while writing SOP
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Not understanding fellowship expectations
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Missing documents
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Interview fear
In such case, read guidelines carefully and prepare in advance.
FAQs – AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship 2026
Q. Is this fellowship paid?
Yes, selected fellows usually receive stipend, but amount may vary.
Q. Is work experience compulsory?
Not compulsory, but preferred.
Q. Can final year students apply?
Mostly graduates are preferred, but check official notice once.
Q. Is this fellowship full-time?
Yes, it is a full-time engagement.
Conclusion
So this was complete information about AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship 2026.
I hope this post cleared your doubt and helped you understand application process.
If you still facing issue or have any question, write in comment section and I will try to help.
Keep visiting for more fellowship and social sector updates.