Youth-LEARN Fellowship 2026–27: Mental Health Research Fellowship for Young People [Delhi; ₹3.6 Lakh Award]: Apply by Aug 31

Young people with lived experience of mental health challenges and/or neurodivergence can apply for the Youth-LEARN Fellowship 2026–27, a year-long fellowship opportunity in Delhi. The fellowship is being offered by Voice of Youth in collaboration with Sangath to enable young people to meaningfully participate in and contribute to mental health research.

The Youth-LEARN Fellowship 2026–27 will provide opportunities to develop research skills, work with young people and communities, co-create research questions and approaches, and contribute to research that can inform community-level mental health practice. Applications are open until 31 August 2026, 11:59 PM.

About Youth-LEARN Fellowship 2026–27

Youth-LEARN is focused on making mental health research more inclusive by ensuring that young people with lived experience are not only research participants but can also contribute to shaping research questions, knowledge and solutions.

The fellowship will allow selected fellows to bring their experiences, perspectives, community knowledge and curiosity into mental health research while receiving mentorship, training and peer support.

Applicants do not need to have previous research experience. The fellowship values lived experience and willingness to learn alongside existing skills and knowledge.

About Voice of Youth and Sangath

The fellowship is being offered by Voice of Youth in collaboration with Sangath. The initiative is part of their collaboration under Youth-LEARN, a project at Sangath commissioned by the Wellcome Trust, with a focus on making mental health research in India more inclusive of young people.

The selected fellow will work with Voice of Youth and contribute to embedding lived experience into the organisation's policies and practices.

Key Details

• Fellowship Name: Youth-LEARN Fellowship 2026–27
• Organisers: Voice of Youth in collaboration with Sangath
• Location: Delhi
• Duration: October 2026 to September 2027
• Duration: Approximately 9–12 months
• Work Mode: In-person / Hybrid / Remote, as applicable
• Commitment: Part-time or full-time
• Fellowship Award: Up to ₹3,60,000 for full-time fellows
• Positions Available: 1
• Age Limit: 18–34 years
• Application Deadline: 31 August 2026, 11:59 PM

Who Can Apply?

The Youth-LEARN Fellowship is intended for young people who meet the following criteria:

• Aged between 18 and 34 years.
• Have lived experience of mental health challenges and/or neurodivergence.
• Currently live in Delhi.
• Can read and write in Hindi and/or English.
• Are familiar with the work, projects, educational activities or focus areas of Voice of Youth.
• Are interested in using their experiences and perspectives to contribute to mental health research.
• Are willing to learn and engage with research, communities and other young people.

Previous research experience is not required. Applicants can apply based on their lived experience, curiosity, community knowledge and willingness to develop new skills.

What Will Youth-LEARN Fellows Do?

The selected fellow will have an opportunity to work with Voice of Youth and contribute to making lived experience an integral part of its work.

Key areas of work may include:

• Working across departments to embed lived experience into Voice of Youth's policies and practices.
• Contributing to the development of research questions and approaches.
• Working alongside young people and communities.
• Exploring mental health issues through a lived-experience perspective.
• Learning and strengthening research skills.
• Participating in training, workshops and capacity-building activities.
• Working with mentors to develop and carry forward their work.
• Contributing to practices that ensure youth voices remain part of organisational processes.
• Contributing to research that may inform community-level mental health practice.

What Will Fellows Gain?

The Youth-LEARN Fellowship is designed to combine practical experience with mentorship, training and peer learning.

Selected fellows can benefit from:

• Research skill development and capacity building.
• Regular workshops and skill-building sessions.
• Mentorship and guidance.
• Peer support and opportunities to work with other young people.
• Opportunities to participate in conferences and learning activities.
• Experience contributing to mental health research.
• Opportunities to help strengthen the role of lived experience in organisational practices.
• Financial support through the fellowship award.
• The fellowship information also mentions financial support that can include funds for psychotherapy.
• An opportunity to become part of the first Youth-LEARN Fellowship cohort and a growing network of youth and researchers.

Why Is This Fellowship Important?

Mental health research often depends on understanding people's experiences, needs and challenges. Youth-LEARN aims to take this a step further by creating opportunities for young people with lived experience to participate in shaping the research itself.

Instead of limiting young people to the role of research participants, the fellowship creates space for them to contribute to what questions are asked, how research is approached and how knowledge can be used.

For applicants interested in mental health, youth participation, research, community work or social change, this can be an opportunity to develop practical skills while contributing their perspective to a wider research process.

Is Previous Research Experience Required?

No.

The fellowship information specifically states that applicants do not need to be experienced researchers. Lived experience, curiosity, community knowledge and willingness to learn are considered valuable.

Therefore, young people who have not previously worked in research can also consider applying if they meet the eligibility requirements and are interested in the fellowship's objectives.

Fellowship Award and Commitment

The fellowship offers flexibility in terms of commitment, with fellows able to work part-time or full-time, depending on their availability.

The stated fellowship award is up to ₹3,60,000 for full-time fellows. The fellowship is scheduled to run from October 2026 to September 2027, with the opportunity described as approximately 9–12 months.

Applicants should carefully review the application information for the terms applicable to their selected mode of engagement.

How to Apply for Youth-LEARN Fellowship 2026–27?

Eligible applicants can submit their application through the online application form.

1. Read the fellowship eligibility requirements carefully.
2. Consider your lived experience, interests, community knowledge and motivation for joining the fellowship.
3. Prepare the information required for the application.
4. Open the official application form.
5. Complete all required sections carefully.
6. Submit the application before the deadline.

Apply Now: Youth-LEARN Fellowship 2026–27 Application Form

Important Date

Application Deadline: 31 August 2026, 11:59 PM

Applicants are advised not to wait until the final hours to submit their applications. Make sure the form is completed and submitted before the stated deadline.

Contact Details

For questions regarding the Youth-LEARN Fellowship or application process, applicants can contact:

• Email: Voiceofyouthdelhi@gmail.com / Surajbansalvoy@gmail.com

Final Words

The Youth-LEARN Fellowship 2026–27 offers young people with lived experience an opportunity to move beyond simply being participants in mental health research and become contributors to the questions, approaches and knowledge that shape it.

You do not need to already be a researcher to apply. If you are a young person aged 18–34 living in Delhi, have lived experience of mental health challenges and/or neurodivergence, and are interested in learning and contributing to more inclusive mental health research, this fellowship may be worth exploring.

Applications close on 31 August 2026 at 11:59 PM.