Researching Reality Internship

About the Internship:

Researching Reality is an annual six-week internship program that offers intensive training in policy-relevant research to undergraduate and graduate students of various disciplines. In the course of the internship, the interns frame a research question, analyse the data collected through primary and secondary sources, and author a research paper.

While research-guides steer their projects and train them, various experts, academics and practitioners working in the field of public policy provide their knowledge and insights.

One of the country's premier research internship program, 2018 marks the eighteenth edition of Researching Reality. This edition was jointly executed by the Academy and Research team of Centre for Civil Society.

Eligibility

Researching Reality is a full-time six-week intensive internship

To be considered for the internship program, a candidate must satisfy one of the following;

• Current student enrolled in an undergraduate/ postgraduate course in any academic or professional discipline
• Graduates / Researchers
• International Baccalaureate / Cambridge International Students enrolled in the Diploma program or A Levels

A candidate must demonstrate;

1. Interest in the public policy domain
2. Inquisitive and adept with basic research skills - data collection, inference and analysis
3. Be open to fun, open and respectable environment
4. Be a team player, have strong analytical skills and ability to meet deadlines

The Internship is open to both Domestic and International applicants. We offer assistance for visa applications in 'Volunteer Category' for International Students

There is no registration fee to apply for the program.

There is no stipend paid to Interns for the duration. However, reimbursements approved on actuals by the requisite guide/ coordinator for the purpose of research are provided. Interns are requested to make their own living arrangements in New Delhi.

Application Procedure

1. Complete the Online Application Form; the form additionally consists of two sections dealing with a Statement of Purpose and essays as a writing sample to be considered for the Interview Round
2. Shortlisted candidates will receive a personal interview call at the CCS Office in New Delhi; In special circumstances we do conduct interviews over the phone.
3. A weighted proportion score of the Essays and Personal Interview will be used to determine the final list of selected candidates
4. A second-list based on contingency is generated for wait-listed candidates

Please Note:

Applications can be submitted through the online portal alone. Applications via eM or post are not considered.

Any attempt to influence the application decision leads to disqualification of the candidate.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the Researching Reality Internship?
The researching reality internship is a 6 week full-time internship which enables the interns to conduct holistic research culminating in working papers on citizen-centric thematic issues.

What is the format of the Internship?
The internship spans over 6 weeks, is full-time and cannot be completed on a part-time format. The intern must commit to the duration of the project solely to the Internship. The interns would be working 8½ hours Monday to Friday.

What facilities will be available to me?
You will receive access to our extensive library, basic facilities to work in the office including office space to work on your project.  If you are unable to provide your own computer, CCS can provide you with one upon request.

Does CCS offer a stipend for the internship period?
No stipend is provided to the interns. Reimbursements approved by the guide/coordinator are reimbursed on actuals with prior approval for any project related task.

Does CCS offer accommodation for outstation applicants?
Interns are requested to make their own living arrangements in New Delhi for the Internship Period. We offer assistance with accommodations in the city.

How would I be benefited by the internship program?
Interns benefit from:

• Training in research, analysis, documenting and coming out with your own research paper.

• Interaction with academia, media experts and eminent scholars.

• Learning in communication through field based research.

• Chance for publication in newspapers, magazines and CCS books.

• Certificate on successful completion of internship.

Will CCS provide Research guide?
Yes, we do provide research guides to each intern to help and supervise intern's research. In addition to the Research Guide, there is also a Research Director and Coordinator to assist with the interns on any targeted issue.

Who are Research Guides?
Research Guides are the people with competence of supervision and experience in the domain of the research. They are the ones who have already worked on the issue and have sufficient knowledge research. People like academicians and scholars are appointed as Research Guides.

Will I be working in a group or individually?
In summer internship all interns work on group projects. The groups range from 3-4 interns. Group projects are an opportunity to produce more intensive, in-depth and holistic papers thus giving more depth and scope to the final output produced.

Is CCS flexible with timeline of the Internship?
The summer internship is a very structured program with around 25 candidates interning at the same time. It will not be possible to change the timeline for any of the participants. We suggest applying for non-summer internship to those who can’t come to summer internship. The timing more flexible for non-summer internship. You can do this anytime for two months between October and March.