ACT Fellowship

What ACT Fellowship is

The ACT Fellowship is a 9-month, full-time, fully funded apprenticeship that applies venture capital principles to philanthropy and social impact at scale. ACT (originally "Action COVID-19 Team") is an Indian non-profit venture philanthropy platform built on the premise that entrepreneurial mindset, technology, innovation, and collective action can create meaningful social impact. The organization has supported 58 entrepreneurs across its focus areas as of the 2024-25 cycle. Fellows work in one of four focus areas: ed-tech, public healthcare, climate action, or gender inclusivity. The work mirrors a VC associate role but applied to social enterprises: fellows engage in sector research, deal sourcing, due diligence, impact evaluation, portfolio management, and stakeholder collaborations. They work on live projects across significant social innovation initiatives in India, with mentorship from seasoned funders, startup founders, and impact experts. The program selects 5-6 candidates annually through a multi-stage process: an online application, a virtual case interview, and an in-person interview with a member of ACT's leadership team. Fellows receive a competitive stipend of INR 60,000 per month (approximately $720 USD) plus covered field expenses. They must be based in Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore for the full 9-month duration. ACT positions the fellowship as a launchpad for professionals looking to pivot into the impact sector. Post-fellowship career paths include joining ACT full-time, starting social impact ventures, or moving into leadership roles in the broader impact ecosystem. The fellowship has been recognized by ProFellow and DevInfo as one of the notable social impact fellowships in India.