Urooj Foundation Get involved
Get involved
Urooj Fellowship Program

45 days of learning, exposure and growth.

Apply for the fellowship Meet the fellows
An Urooj fellowship cohort together after a session

A learning journey built from experience, not lectures.

The Urooj Fellowship Program is a 45-day youth development program for Muslim youth aged 18–30 from Bihar. It creates opportunities for young people to build practical skills, gain grassroots exposure, develop confidence, and explore pathways for their personal, professional and social growth.

The fellowship brings together fieldwork, training, capacity-building workshops, mentoring, learning activities, reflection and feedback to create a practical and meaningful learning journey.

We believe young people grow not only through what they learn, but also through what they experience, question, reflect on, and put into practice.

Why the fellowship?

Ambition is common. Access is not.

Young people often have the potential and ambition to create meaningful change, but may not have equal access to exposure, networks, mentorship, or opportunities to develop their skills. The fellowship creates a supportive space where young people can:

  • Explore new ideas and perspectives
  • Develop practical and professional skills
  • Gain exposure to grassroots and social sector work
  • Build confidence in communication and leadership
  • Connect with mentors, peers and professionals
  • Reflect on their experiences and future aspirations
  • Discover pathways for further education, careers and civic participation
Who can apply?

The Urooj Fellowship is open to:

  • Muslim youth
  • 18–30 years of age
  • Residents of Bihar

We welcome young people who are curious, motivated to learn, open to new experiences, and interested in developing themselves while engaging with their communities and wider society.

Apply now
45-day structure

How each cohort's 45 days are laid out.

2Days Induction & Training

Orientation into the fellowship and its expectations
30Days Host Organisation Placement

Grassroots work with a partner host organisation
5Days Workshops

One workshop every weekend through the cohort
5Days Mentorship Sessions

One-on-one guidance from fellowship mentors
2Days Paperwork & Extra Activities

Documentation and additional cohort activities
1Day Feedback Session

Closing reflection and evaluation of the cohort
What the fellowship offers

Six things every fellow gets.

Fieldwork

Fellows gain practical exposure by engaging with communities and organisations, understanding social issues through direct experience and connecting learning with realities on the ground.

Training & Capacity Building

Structured sessions strengthen knowledge, practical skills and understanding of key themes relevant to fellows' personal, professional and social journeys.

Workshops & Learning Activities

Interactive workshops on communication, leadership, research, digital skills, gender, democracy, mental health, technology and career development.

Mentoring

Guidance and support throughout the journey — space to discuss experiences, challenges, aspirations and areas for growth.

Reflection & Feedback

Fellows reflect on their experiences throughout the journey, while regular feedback helps them recognise progress and connect learning with future goals.

Peer Learning

Fellows learn alongside one another, share experiences, exchange perspectives and build relationships that continue beyond the fellowship.

The fellowship journey

Five stages, one arc.

Stage 01

Induction, Training & Capacity Building

The fellowship begins with an introduction to Urooj, the journey, its expectations and the learning process. Fellows then take part in structured training and capacity-building sessions.

Stage 02

Workshops & Learning Activities

Interactive workshops help fellows develop practical skills, strengthen confidence, express their ideas, think critically, work collaboratively and apply learning to real-life situations.

Stage 03

Field Exposure

Fellows engage with organisations, communities and development initiatives to gain first-hand experience of grassroots and social sector work.

Stage 04

Mentoring & Support

Throughout the fellowship, fellows receive guidance to discuss their experiences, challenges, aspirations and areas for growth.

Stage 05

Reflection & Feedback

Fellows reflect on their learning throughout the journey. Regular feedback helps them recognise progress, identify areas for improvement, and connect learning with future goals.

What fellows explore

The questions we sit with together.

The fellowship creates space for young people to engage with issues and themes that shape their lives and communities.

Leadership & Citizenship

Exploring leadership, participation, responsibility, and ways young people can contribute to their communities.

Democracy & Society

Understanding democratic values, participation, rights, responsibilities, and the role of young citizens.

Gender & Inclusion

Building awareness of gender, equality, inclusion, and the barriers faced by different communities.

Technology & Digital Futures

Exploring technology, digital opportunities, responsible technology use, and emerging possibilities.

Mental Health & Well-being

Encouraging conversations around well-being, self-awareness, support systems and navigating challenges.

Career & Professional Development

Exploring education and career pathways while developing professional skills, profiles and networks.

Our learning approach

Learning doesn't only happen in a classroom.

Learn Experience Reflect Grow

Fellows learn through workshops and discussions, experience real-world situations through fieldwork, reflect on what they encounter, and use those experiences to grow. This approach encourages young people to become active learners rather than passive participants.

What fellows take away

Things that outlast the 45 days.

01

Greater Confidence

The confidence to communicate, participate, ask questions and express their ideas.

02

Practical Skills

Skills that support their education, career and community engagement.

03

Real-World Exposure

A deeper understanding of communities, social issues and development work.

04

New Perspectives

Greater awareness of issues affecting society and the ability to see them from different angles.

05

Mentorship & Networks

Connections with peers, mentors, organisations and professionals.

06

Greater Clarity

A better understanding of their interests, strengths, aspirations and possible pathways.

Our impact

Five cohorts in.

0Fellows
0Cohorts
0Districts across Bihar
0Days of learning, exposure and growth

Across five cohorts, the Urooj Fellowship has brought together 45 young people from seven districts across Bihar — creating a growing community connected through learning, shared experiences, and a commitment to personal and social growth.

During my fellowship at the Urooj Fellowship Program, I had the privilege to collaborate with industry experts and work on a project with a professor from Warwick University. These experiences, along with working with inspiring individuals, have taught me invaluable lessons and fueled my passion for creating positive change.
Nazia HassanUrooj Fellow
Mentors

Industry experts guiding our fellows.

Communication, marketing, research, technology, social media and monitoring & evaluation — mentors give one-on-one time to every cohort.

Meet the mentors
Host organisations

Where fellows spend their 30 days

ADRI GRAMA University of Maryland Samar Charitable Trust Action Aid Janman People's Foundation Sewa Bharat Diksha Foundation Myrix Labs
Beyond the 45 days

The fellowship doesn't end when the 45 days do.

We are building a growing Urooj Alumni Network that keeps fellows connected with one another and with Urooj long after their cohort closes.

Alumni Network

Opportunities for former fellows to stay connected, share experiences, support one another, continue learning, and explore continued engagement.

Quarterly Online Alumni Meets

Every three months, former fellows come together to reconnect, share updates, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for continued engagement.

Moments from the fellowship

Five cohorts, in pictures.

Field exposure

Learning where the work happens.

Why Urooj?

We are not looking only for young people who already consider themselves leaders. We want to support young people who are willing to learn, question, participate and grow.

Take the first step

Ready to begin your journey?

45 days. New experiences. New skills. New possibilities. If you are a Muslim young person aged 18–30 from Bihar, we invite you to apply.

Apply for the Urooj Fellowship Ask a question