Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship (MSMF)
Amplifying narratives on gender and its intersections through powerful storytelling
The Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship was constituted in 2020 to highlight gender intersections through powerful storytelling. Established in recognition of the late Mina Swaminathan's commitment to spotlighting gender as part of the institution’s core values, this fellowship also serves as a tribute to our pro-woman, pro-poor, and pro-nature approach.
The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) adopted her gendered approach to research and development several years ago. She was nationally recognised for her contributions toward developing a holistic perspective on gender equality and child development, including the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which addresses the multiple needs and roles of women in childcare.
About the Fellowship
The 6th edition of the Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship (2027) is designed to empower journalists to produce impactful stories on gender and grassroots issues, with a special focus on FAO's biennial theme 'Fostering Innovation for Food Security.' Five journalists reporting in Tamil, Malayalam, Odia, Hindi, and Marathi languages will be selected. The fellowship offers a grant of ₹60,000, mentorship from MSSRF experts and field researchers, and direct engagement with rural communities. Fellows will receive support in translating their work into English for wider dissemination and will have opportunities to connect with policymakers, enhancing both visibility and influence of their stories. The fellowship concludes in August during MSSRF's annual conference where the fellows get the opputunity to present their reportage to an international audience.
Key Features
Fellowship Amount
₹60,000 INR for the four-month fellowship period.
Direct Grassroots Engagement
Fellows have first-hand access to rural communities, enabling authentic and impactful storytelling.
Mentorship & Guidance
Dedicated mentorship from MSSRF experts and field researchers, including bilingual support.
Policy-Level Exposure
MSSRF facilitates meetings with relevant government officials, giving fellows a chance to understand governance and policy perspectives.
1. Minimum of three years in journalism.
2. Open to full-time and freelance journalists from print, television, or online media.
3. We encourage candidates who are interested in reporting on gender, grassroots issues, and community-driven themes to apply
- Duration: Five months (Febuary – 1st week of August)
- Orientation: Includes thematic inputs, gender-focused sessions, mentorship from senior journalists, and exposure to MSSRF’s regional centres.
- Fieldwork: Fellows will conduct field work and develop stories aligned with the fellowship theme.
- Deliverables: Three detailed stories in print/broadcast/online media
Before applying, have the following documents ready
1. Your updated CV (Not more than 2 pages)
2. Link to one published story that best exemplifies your work in the language you are applying (Tamil, Malayalam, Odia, Hindi, or Marathi). The story must be published in 2026.
3. Translation of the article in English
4. A signed consent form from your editor or supervisor. Consent form linked here
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Applications Open |
21 October 2026 |
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Applications Close |
21 November 2026 |
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Internal Evaluation |
December 2026 |
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Results Annouced |
January 2027 |
Advisory Commitee
Prof. Nitya Rao
Professor of Gender & Development, School of Global Development, University of East Anglia
Mr. A S Panneerselvan
Director General, Chennai Institute of Journalism
Dr. Nalini Krishnan
Founder-Director, Resource Group for Education and Advocacy for Community Health (REACH)
Dr. Murali Shanmugavelan
Senior Fellow, Cultures and Practices of Democracy in the Indian Diaspora, SOAS University of London
Ms. Anupama Srinivasan
Deputy Director at Resource Group for Education and Advocacy for Community Health (REACH)
Meet the Fellows of MSMF (2026)
Subhashree Parida | Odia Fellow
She is a Bhubaneswar-based independent journalist and communication consultant. Her work focuses on stories of resilience and women empowerment, sustainable agriculture, and community development.
Richard Joseph | Malayalam Fellow
He is a Sr. reporter with Deepika Daily, who focuses on environmental issues, women empowerment, public health and differently abled individuals. He has received several awards, including Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism National Award and The Statesman National Award for Rural Reporting.
Mukund Pingale | Marathi Fellow
He is an Agricultural Journalist at Agrowon (Sakal Media Group). His work focuses on grassroots reporting on sustainable farming, horticulture, agricultural technology, agri-startups, women in agriculture, and agricultural policy.
Sana Ejaz | Hindi Fellow
She is the Principal Correspondent at Dainik Bhaskar, where she focuses on uncovering systemic corruption, institutional failures, and underreported human rights issues. She is a Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) Fellow and an Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Fellow.
Kanmani Thangarasu | Tamil Fellow
She is a Multimedia Journalist and Assistant Editor at Doordarshan, Chennai. Her work focuses on social, development, and technology issues.
Meet the Fellows of MSMF (2025)
Arathi M.R. | Malayalam Fellow
She is a multimedia journalist and Special Correspondent at Keraleeyam Magazine, her work focuses on climate justice, gender, caste, and development. Explore her work on LinkedIn.
Akshara Sanal | Tamil Fellow
She is an independent photojournalist and documentary filmmaker from Tamil Nadu,she documents transgender lives and the role of art in rural communities. Explore her work on Instagram.
Aiswarya Parija | Odia Fellow
She is the Communication and Media Coordinator at WASSAN, Odisha and has received multiple awards for gender-based reporting. Explore her work on Twitter/X.