The number of Fellows varies with each cohort as part of our scaling model. For the 2025-2027 batch, we will welcome 22 Fellows.

The ICON Fellowship launched its pilot cohort in 2023-2025.

No, there is no application fee. We believe opportunity should never come with price tag, especially for those committed to creating change. The iCON Fellowship application is completely free, and we do not encourage or accept any payment at any stage of a selection process

We invite applications from citizens of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, aged 21-35, who have completed at least 12 years of schooling. We seek individuals who are:

• Passionate about climate action and sustainability
• Eager to work in rural and indigenous communities
• Committed to making a long-term impact beyond the Fellowship
• Open to field-based work and co-living with a diverse cohort

We aim for a gender-balanced and inclusive cohort of aspiring changemakers who are entrepreneurial, grounded, and ready to co-create solutions on the frontlines of environmental change.

We welcome applications from young people meeting the age and schooling requirements outlined above. While the program is open to all eligible candidates from India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, we are especially focused on engaging youth from indigenous and rural communities across the region—those who often live closest to the land and are deeply affected by the climate crisis. We're looking for individuals who are:

• Deeply committed to climate action and sustainability
• Eager to work on the ground with communities to co-create solutions
• Interested in becoming entrepreneurs and changemakers in the space of rewilding, restoration, and ecological livelihoods
• Open to a transformative, immersive journey that blends personal growth with hands-on experience

Whether you come with formal experience or simply a burning desire to contribute, if you're passionate, rooted, and ready to lead, this Fellowship is for you.

Not necessarily. What matters most is what you've done, not just what you dream. We're looking for individuals who have taken meaningful steps—big or small—towards creating impact in their communities or environments. Whether that's helping organize a tree-planting drive, working with a local farmers' group, mobilizing youth in your village, or simply starting a composting initiative at home—it's the intent and impact behind your actions that count. While prior experience in environmental work is not mandatory, those who've already begun contributing at any level—especially within grassroots or community settings—will be given preference. At ICON, we believe passion backed by action is more powerful than a perfect résumé. If you've shown commitment, curiosity, and care for the planet and people, this Fellowship is your next step.

The ICON Fellowship receives applications from passionate youth across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Because seats are limited, our selection process is designed to be rigorous, fair, and deeply reflective of your commitment, clarity, and readiness for the journey. The 4-stage process includes:

1. Online Application: Tell us about yourself, your background, motivations, and why you want to be part of this transformative journey.
2. Video Introduction & Project Vision: Submit a short video introducing yourself and sharing your vision for climate action or rewilding in your community.
3. Telephonic Screening: A conversation with our team to better understand your intentions, context, and expectations, and to answer any questions you may have.
4. Final Panel Interview: A more in-depth interaction with our panel of experts and mentors, where we explore your alignment with the Fellowship's values, mission, and approach.

We're not looking for perfect résumés—we're looking for authenticity, passion, and a deep-rooted desire to work with communities and landscapes.

As the ICON Fellowship expands across the Eastern Himalayan region, Fellows will be placed in ecologically significant, rural field sites across Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Our placement philosophy is rooted in our commitment to peer-to-peer learning, cultural and traditional wisdom, and celebrating diversity. We believe the most powerful learning happens when you're immersed in real landscapes, real communities, and real challenges. Fellowship placements are thoughtfully matched based on:

• Community needs and local priorities
• Project goals and restoration potential
• Your own strengths, interests, and aspirations

You will gain exposure to a rich ecosystem of technical experts, knowledge partners, and traditional practitioners, allowing for a deeply diverse and transformative learning experience.

Yes. Each Fellow receives a monthly stipend of INR 20,000 (subject to applicable taxes) to support basic living costs during the Fellowship. While accommodation and all official field-related travel will be arranged and covered by the Fellowship, food and personal living expenses are to be managed by the Fellow. This stipend is designed to remove financial barriers, ensuring passionate individuals can fully participate.

At ICON, we are deeply committed to community-led action rooted in local wisdom, yet driven by a bold global vision for restoration, sustainability, and youth leadership. These values shape everything we do:

• Democratic, Ground-Up Leadership: Every voice matters. Every idea is worth testing.
• Curious, Equal Engagement: We ask big questions and value equality for all.
• Wild Restoration, Not Disruption: We restore landscapes while honoring ecosystems' and communities' aspirations and integrity.
• Community-Led Impact: We co-create solutions that respond to local needs and drive lasting, meaningful change.
• Inclusive, Non-Discriminatory Spaces: We uphold fairness, diversity, and respect across all identities and experiences.

A Fellowship is a transformative, self-directed learning journey, not just a role. Unlike a job, it is time-bound, purpose-driven, and deeply immersive in nature. Fellows receive a stipend (not a salary), live in a shared co-living space, and work directly in the field with communities. This journey is focused on:

• Personal growth, self-learning, and peer-to-peer learning
• Deep listening and trust-building with communities
• Understanding grassroots realities and complexities
• Gaining practical experience in working collaboratively to address environmental challenges Rather than executing tasks, Fellows are encouraged to engage, reflect, and co-create, developing their own capacity as changemakers for long-term impact.

Ask yourself: Do I want my work to mean something beyond just a job? Am I ready to live and learn in the heart of nature, alongside communities, and co-create solutions that matter? If your answer is yes, the ICON Fellowship may be your next step. This journey invites you to:

• Immerse yourself in the living landscape of ecosystem restoration
• Learn hands-on agroforestry and community engagement
• Design and pilot your 16-hectare rewilding project
• Build the tools to start or lead a purpose-driven, sustainable venture

It's not just about skills—it's about growing your capacity to understand and transform the world through the lens of self, society, systems, and ecosystems. You'll leave not just with knowledge, but with clarity, courage, and community.

Fellows lead efforts in:

• Community engagement and mobilization
• Understanding local socio-ecological dynamics
• Driving rewilding, revegetation, and agroforestry
• Creating sustainable impact for both nature and livelihoods

The 16-month Fellowship is intentionally designed to align with a full seasonal cycle of rewilding and land restoration. For the first 12 months, Fellows are immersed on the ground—engaging in everything from land mapping and community engagement to restoration and agroforestry implementation. The final 4 months serve as a launchpad for your next chapter. You'll either:

• Intern with aligned organizations, or
• Receive entrepreneurship training to design and scale your own rewilding initiative, ensuring long-term continuity of the work you've begun in the region.

This structure allows you to grow from practitioner to entrepreneur, empowered to lead change in your community and beyond.

You'll be part of a cohort of Fellows who live, learn, and work together. While each Fellow will lead their own project, you'll receive peer support and collaborate with others often.

The ICON Fellowship is a time-bound, immersive 16-month commitment, and we expect Fellows to join only if they are fully prepared to complete the entire journey. Mid-way exits not only affect your growth but also compromise the continuity of work with the community and ecosystem. If you leave the Fellowship before completion:

• You will not receive a Certificate of Completion
• You will not be eligible to join the alumni network or receive continued mentorship/support

That said, we understand that exceptional life circumstances may arise. In such rare cases, we urge you to communicate openly with the Fellowship team, and we will work with you to assess the situation thoughtfully and with compassion.

No, deferrals are not offered. However, if you're unable to join or are not selected this time, we highly encourage you to reapply next year for the next available cohort, with a stronger vision, deeper clarity, or updated experiences that reflect your continued commitment to the cause.

The ICON Fellowship is not just a program—it's a launchpad for a life of purpose and impact. While the journey is demanding, the support is deeply empowering. Some of the tangible benefits you'll receive include:

• A Certificate of Completion recognizing your commitment and growth
• Exposure Visits to diverse ecosystems and inspiring models of change
• 1-on-1 Mentorship from seasoned practitioners in sustainability and community work
• Skill-Building Workshops on ecological restoration, agroforestry, entrepreneurship, and systems thinking
• Stipend and Project Funding to support your learning and fieldwork
• Access to Peer and Expert Networks for lifelong collaboration

Beyond these, the Fellowship offers something invaluable: A like-minded community of changemakers, a strong alumni network, and the courage and clarity to tackle grassroots challenges, lead with empathy, and carve your path as a leader in the environmental sector. This is where your journey begins—not just to restore the wild, but to rewild your own potential.