Behavioural Insights for Policy Fellowship

The Premise

Policymakers are increasingly turning to behavioural insights to tackle complex policy challenges.

The UK established the first Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) in 2010. Today, at least 202 public units worldwide apply behavioural insights to their policies. However, less than five are based in lower and middle-income economies.

Behavioural science is still in nascent stages in developing countries, where the scale and complexity of policy challenges remain unmatched. Developing economies have a unique opportunity to leverage the global experience in behavioural insight application and contribute new knowledge to the field. With the Behavioural Insights for Policy Fellowship, we invite you to learn the necessary skills to rise to this challenge.

Programme Details

The Behavioural Insights for Policy Fellowship is designed to create a vibrant community of public policy professionals who can carry the mantle of behaviour science in India.

The BIP Fellowship encourages the fellows to:

Participate in a series of sessions designed to improve understanding of applied behavioural insights for driving change.
Explore behavioural science principles for self-development and improved team engagement, and drive change in the broader social ecosystem.
Learn real-world applications of the curriculum by working directly with behavioural scientists and policy leaders on select projects at CSBC.

The programme initiates the BIP Fellows on a journey towards solving complex social problems with a keen understanding of human behaviour.

Programme Structure

Eligibility and Process

FAQs

Eligibility and process:

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a fundamental understanding of public policy and/or the social impact space, a keen interest in human behaviour, strong problem solving and analytical skills, and a passion for solving complex problems using behavioural insights. Selected fellows will need to work in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment, collaborate across multiple verticals and stakeholders, and understand the application of behavioural insights in different contexts.

The Fellowship is open to applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including research, design, policy analysis, advocacy, implementation, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation. Here are our eligibility criteria:

An undergraduate degree in any discipline. A master’s degree is preferred (especially in public policy, administration, or economics).
One year of relevant work experience. 2-3 years of work experience will be preferred. Recent graduates who demonstrate exceptional skills through internships or extracurricular activities will also be considered.
Selected fellows must have the authorisation to work in India.

Register below to be notified when applications for the next cohort open. Candidates will need to complete an online application form. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to virtual interviews with the CSBC leadership, based on which the final decisions will be made.

FAQ:

Q. When will the fellowship begin?

The first cohort will begin in mid-October 2021 and last for three months.

Q. Will participation in the fellowship have a cost?

No. The founding batch of the BIP Fellowship is on a full scholarship. In addition, all selected fellows will receive a nominal amount of INR 10,000 for three months to cover their professional expenses.

Q. Will it be possible to put in fewer than 22 hours a week?

No. The BIP Fellowship is designed to provide a hybrid learning experience to working professionals through exposure to behaviour science theory and its application in policy and the social impact sector. Therefore, the minimum commitment is 22 hours a week, including learning sessions on weekends.

Q. What is the application process like?

Candidates will need to complete an online application form. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to virtual interviews with the CSBC leadership, based on which the final decisions will be made.

Q. Are there any submissions that I have to make as a part of the application process?

Yes, the form requires you to upload a two-page recent CV and a short policy presentation. More instructions are provided on the application form.

Q. Are the fellows expected to have an educational background in specific sectors?

No. The fellowship is open to all young professionals with diverse educational qualifications. However, fellows must demonstrate a strong interest in behaviour science, policy, and social impact.

Q. Is the fellowship based in Delhi?

The BIP Fellowship will be conducted virtually, given the ongoing pandemic. The candidates, therefore, need not be based out of Delhi.

Q. Can I defer my acceptance?

At this stage, we do not offer a deferral option. However, if you cannot join this year, you may reapply next year.

Q. What is the experiential component of the fellowship like?

The BIP Fellows will work directly with behaviour scientists and policy leaders at the Centre for Social and Behaviour Change across various workstreams. Some of our past projects have included designing behaviourally informed interventions to improve the uptake of iron and folic acid supplements among pregnant women and improve complementary feeding among six to 23-month-olds.

The Cohort

"There's something new to learn in each session - from theoretical concepts to their application in case studies. I have been able to apply these learnings in my work outside of the classroom as well."

Mudita Agarwal, Icarus Nova, BIPF’21

"I took up the Fellowship to take a step back from my engineering work and gain some breadth. The Fellowship has helped me achieve that by taking me deeper into the field of behavioural insights and exposing me to the role of data in the social sector. As I progress further in technology, I believe these learnings will help me appreciate the behavioural considerations to technological products - thus complementing my engineering work."

Sravan Patchala, Qualcomm India, BIPF’21

"Behavioural science has been around for a while, although it has gained traction in the past few years. A lot of these concepts are commonly known and applied, yet knowing about them in a more formal rigorous way has been great for professionals like myself. I am hoping to use a lot of these concepts that I was curious about, and perhaps tiptoed around previously, to dive headfirst and be more confident in conducting my own research independently."

Nilanjana Bargotra, CSBC, BIPF’21