Call for Applications for Fellows - Transformative Arts and Research Initiatives Fellowship TAARIF 2026

TAARIF Call for Applications 2026

BROAD AIMS

● To create a space for Indian early-career queer scholarship
● To examine arts and policy, law and society, through queer methods and methodologies
● To strengthen research and writing skills for early-career scholars
● To publish cutting-edge research in transnational academic journals

PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND DETAILS

We invite applications from early-career scholars working with queer and feminist pedagogies in India who are interested in furthering their academic pursuits. The Fellowship will bring together two individuals, selected through the procedure outlined below, for a period of five months (August to December, 2026). This year, TAARIF will be conducted entirely online. The Fellows will attend mentoring workshops, supervisions, and check-in meetings with their mentors as well as engage in regular consultations on their research with the CSGS team to develop relevant skills for their research. The Fellowship will culminate in a publishable paper, with Fellows having explored suitable publication avenues through the duration of their tenure.

Fellowship Structure

A)

During the first three months of the Fellowship, Fellows will carry out primary research as outlined in their application proposal. They will present their findings, work with feedback, and establish the conceptual foundations for their research. They will also undertake mandatory ethics training and will be introduced to their mentors and other experts in their respective fields.

B)

In the last two months of the Fellowship, Fellows will write a 6000-word publishable paper that will rigorously highlight their research, and clarify its stakes for the advancement of queer knowledge. During this period, they will participate in writing and publishing workshops while shortlisting their target journals for publication.

Mentorship

Primarily, the Fellows will receive feedback about their research from the CSGS team, headed by the CSGS Director, and the CSGS Postdoctoral Fellow. Additionally, the Centre will organise fortnightly conversations with scholars and activists working in relevant disciplines who can specifically provide insight into specific research areas.

While the program itself will provide sustained mentorship, Fellows are expected to lead their work in a self-directed manner. This includes but is not limited to creating a well-defined research project, conducting primary and secondary research in a timely manner, and producing the required research outputs.

Stipend

Each Fellow will receive an all-inclusive stipend of INR 50,000 per month (tax inclusive) for the duration of five months, subject to satisfactory progress of their work. Additionally, each Fellow will also be provided with a fieldwork allowance not exceeding INR 20,000.

The specific timelines and schedule for work completion will be drawn out by the Fellows in conversation with the CSGS team before the start of the program.

ELIGIBILITY

1. The Fellowship is open to all early-career Indian scholars working on queer and feminist issues.

2. The applicant must hold at least a Masters degree in any relevant discipline, or hold over 2 years of work experience in a relevant field.

3. Prior research experience is preferred but not mandatory.

4. The applicant should be self-motivated, proactive, and have the ability to work independently as well as in a team.

5. The applicant must possess good writing and communication skills in English (language skills in general will be an asset, but the research paper will be written in English).

6. The applicant should have access to the internet and a computer for research to be able to work effectively from home.

7. We would prefer candidates who are NOT employed full-time in any organisation. If you are employed full-time and applying to the Fellowship, you must justify your ability to manage your commitments to the Fellowship alongside your workload in the application.

8. Fellows will be selected based on the strength of their short-term research proposal, previous research experience, ability to commit to the fellowship, and ability to produce the desired output. Scholars belonging to Dalit and Adivasi communities, people with disabilities and members of other minority and marginalised groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. A current CV, outlining relevant academic, research and/or professional experience.

2.

A short-term research proposal of 1000-1200 words: While we do not expect your research proposal to be fully defined at the application stage, we encourage you to describe your idea in a way that can be satisfactorily concluded in five months’ time. Your fieldwork/ actual data collection cannot exceed a month. We also encourage you to look at creative datasets and resources or re-use any previous datasets you may have.

The basic outline for a research proposal, as given below, is mandatory to follow. Your proposal should contain:

● A Tentative title
● A Background/Literature Review
● Acknowledgement of a a Research Gap/ Innovative potential
● Methodology/ Theoretical Framework
● Main Research Questions
● Future Potential/ Applications of Research
● Tentative timeline
● Names of at least three Publishable Peer-Reviewed Journals where you intend on submitting your research after the completion of the Fellowship
● Name of three potential academic external mentors in order of preference (Your external mentor can be any senior academic located in India or abroad - they need not be from Ashoka)

3.

We invite proposals engaging with, but not limited to, the following themes:

● Queer Arts and Aesthetics
● Queer Literature and Life-Writing
● Transhumanism and technology
● Decolonizing queer
● Homonationalism and Sexual Citizenship
● Queer Cartographies / Geographies
● Queer Digital Humanities

4.

A writing sample of not more than 3000 words (shorter pieces are also welcome) that demonstrates your ability to write clearly, cogently and persuasively in English. This could be an academic essay or a term-paper written for an academic course; an Op-Ed or any short article/ journalistic essay. If you are not able to provide any of these, you may also write a reflective piece about any theme of your choice.

One academic reference supporting your ability to work and research independently from a credible source. All references must be emailed only by the referee (and not the applicant) directly to csgs@ashoka.edu.in with the subject <Reference for +Applicant Name> latest by 10th July, 2026, 11:59pm). Late references will not be accepted.

All other application documents should be combined into a single pdf document and emailed to csgs@ashoka.edu.in by the specified deadline (10th July, 2026, 11:59 pm).

The name of the pdf file should be “<your name>_taarif.pdf” and the subject line of your email should read “Application to TAARIF- <your name>.”

Due to large amount of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Emails sent after the due date will not be considered.

For additional information or queries, please feel free to write to us at csgs@ashoka.edu.in

For more information, please check the Link: TAARIF Call for Applications 2026

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