Application Deadline:
10 October 2025
About Organisation
The CARE Project (Communicating Action and Resilience for Environmental Health in India) is an initiative based at IISER Pune. It focuses on linking communities exposed to fragile and endangered environments with experts, educators, and institutions through participatory action research and environmental monitoring. The project aims to enhance environmental health literacy and build community resilience in areas affected by pollution, heat stress, and disaster risks. CARE integrates scientific inquiry with local knowledge, ensuring communities are equipped to understand and address complex climate-related health issues. The project emphasizes collaboration with diverse stakeholders to promote evidence-based communication and sustainable health interventions. By fostering partnerships and participatory approaches, CARE strengthens the capacity of communities, particularly in rural and regional settings, to engage with health risks linked to environmental stressors. The organization believes that empowering local voices through education and communication is vital for adapting to the growing challenges of climate change and its impacts on public health. With a strong focus on community participation, CARE strives to create actionable pathways for change, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to accurate information, scientific support, and innovative strategies for mitigating health risks related to climate stressors.
About the Grant
The VOICE Fellowship, organized under the CARE Project at IISER Pune, is a training and capacity-building program designed for rural and regional communicators and content creators. It seeks to address the underreporting of climate change’s health impacts in regional media, with a particular focus on mental health, respiratory issues, waterborne diseases, and food insecurity. The fellowship provides a platform for participants to enhance their communication skills and deepen their understanding of the intersection between environmental stressors and public health. Over a fully funded, residential 5-day program, fellows will engage in interactive sessions with scientists, health experts, and communication mentors. They will learn how to build evidence-based storytelling, create communication toolkits for community engagement, and explore localized climate-related issues through fieldwork and collaborative learning. The program aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to communicate complex scientific issues to their communities effectively. Fellows will also receive mentorship and networking opportunities that will support their work beyond the fellowship. The VOICE Fellowship represents an important opportunity for grassroots communicators to contribute meaningfully to public health discourse and climate resilience.
Who can Apply?
The VOICE Fellowship welcomes applications from rural and regional communicators, journalists, content creators, and storytellers with a keen interest in environmental health issues. Applicants should be passionate about improving climate change reporting and addressing its intersection with public health, particularly in underserved areas. There is no requirement for prior experience in science communication, though familiarity with storytelling, community outreach, or journalism is an advantage. The fellowship prioritizes individuals from rural or regional backgrounds who have access to local communities and are eager to work on localized climate-health issues. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to learning, reflecting, and applying new communication techniques to support awareness and resilience-building in their communities. The program is open to candidates across India, with preference given to those willing to actively participate in fieldwork, discussions, and training sessions. Participants should be comfortable engaging with scientists, experts, and peers while contributing to group learning exercises. An openness to collaborative problem-solving and a genuine desire to build community resilience through communication are essential qualities. Selected fellows will benefit from mentorship, hands-on experience, and networking opportunities that will support their long-term engagement in climate and health communication.
How to Apply?
Interested candidates must submit their application by 10 October 2025. The process involves filling out an online form and providing personal details along with a statement of interest. Applications should highlight experience in storytelling or community communication, as well as a passion for working on climate and health issues. The final list of participants will be announced on 2 November 2025 after a careful selection process.
Application Deadline
Applications for the VOICE Fellowship 2025 must be submitted by 10 October 2025. All applications will be reviewed, and successful candidates will be informed after thorough evaluation of their profiles.
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
