Centre seeks applications for RTI fellowships

The Centre today sought applications for fellowships aimed at assessing constraints and success related to implementation of Right to Information (RTI) Act in the country.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), nodal authority for implementation of the transparency law, proposes to offer four short-term fellowships to researchers from the field of media, journalism and civil society organisations associated with RTI to conduct field-based research.
"It is hoped that the research output will enhance our understanding of the status of the implementation of the act, including its successes, constraints in its implementation and how those are being or could be overcome and what more needs to be done to help achieve the objectives of the Act," said an order seeking nominations by the DoPT.

The fellowship is open to individuals in the age group of 25 to 40 years. The applicant should have proven credentials in his or her professional area, have some prior experience of work relating to the Right to Information and should have an aptitude for research, it said.
The theme for research could be issues relating to awareness generation and accessibility for seeking information in the remote areas or villages, role of civil society in strengthening RTI regime, successes of RTI in improving transparency and accountability and best practices from the field among others.
The fellowships would be for a duration of three months.

Each selected fellow will receive stipend of up to Rs two lakh (subject to tax deduction at source), including a grant of up to Rs 50,000 for books, research material, travel and printing on production of actual bills.
The last date for sending applications is February 24.