Attention IP and tech enthusiasts! We are very excited to announce the SpicyIP Tech Innovation Policy Fellowship 2025! This Fellowship is a one year programme, with the aim of contributing towards deeper understandings on the law and policy front around new technologies. It has been made possible thanks to a generous grant by FOSS United Foundation, which as many of our readers may know, does some fantastic work in the free and open source software space in India. The SpicyIP Tech Innovation Policy Fellowship is distinct from our existing SpicyIP Fellowship, and we see it as a significant step towards creating a more collaborative and productive IP innovation ecosystem.
Aim of the Fellowship
The SpicyIP Tech Innovation Policy Fellowship is devised to contribute to the wider discourse of analysis of IP-related law and policy around new and emerging technologies, such as the discourse around software patents, the AI-IP law and policy interfaces, etc. The underlying theme of the Fellowship is to understand how Indian IP laws and policies can focus on innovation as progress in society, rather than a diluted understanding that limits it to the mechanical fulfilment of specific laws. As such, the Fellowship aims to further the understanding of how/if technologies adequately fit into, or challenge traditional IP frameworks. This will include inquiries into existing and proposed legal norms and whether they fall short with respect to new technologies. Indicatively, this can cover responding to questions around balancing private rights, public access, innovation, and contextual and inclusive technological advancement, etc.
Terms and Conditions
- The Fellowship shall run for 12 months, excluding a month-long introductory and probationary period that all provisionally selected candidates will be given.
- Once selected, the Fellow will be required to write and publish (at least) one, rigorously researched, and where possible, evidence backed blogpost of at least 1500 words, for each month of the Fellowship (i.e., 12 posts in total).
- Towards this end, the Fellow will be required to discuss or share their preferred topics with the SpicyIP team to ensure that they fit within the aim of the Fellowship, and the submitted posts will need to meet the quality standards expected by the SpicyIP team.
- Submitted posts will need to be reviewed and approved by the SpicyIP team to ensure it meets the quality standards of the blog, prior to publication.
- Fellows are also encouraged to publicly present or publish their writings or findings in other venues where possible.
Why Apply?
Apart from getting your writings highlighted and published on India’s leading IP blog and repository, where your works can be read by the who’s who of the IP world, SpicyIP Tech Innovation Policy Fellows will get a chance to interact with and have their works reviewed by leading IP experts. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who wishes to contribute to the Indian IP ecosystem as well as to platform their ability to do rigorous legal analysis and research in this space. A stipend of INR 4,000/ month will be paid for the 12 months of the Fellowship, once the probationary period is completed.
Who Can Apply
Anyone interested in the IP and tech space is welcome to apply. Age no bar, educational qualifications no bar. So long as you are committed to the craft of writing and are interested in contributing to the wider discourse of IP law vis-a-vis emerging tech, feel free to send in your application!
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit the following to contact[at]spicyip[dot]com with “Application for SpicyIP Tech Innovation Policy Fellowship” in the subject line –
- A statement/ cover letter (not exceeding 1 page) as to why the applicant thinks they would be a good fit for the fellowship.
- A copy of their latest curriculum vitae.
- Two writing samples (minimum 1200 words) analysing any aspect of IP or tech law.
- Any other information the applicant thinks could be relevant
Deadline for the Application
Interested applicants are to share their applications by 11:59 pm, Feb 23rd 2025.
Tech and IP enthusiasts unite (and send your applications!) for the SpicyIP Tech Innovation Policy Fellowship 2025 at the earliest!
Funding Disclosures:
This Fellowship has been made possible due to a grant from the FOSS United Foundation. The FOSS United Foundation does not play any role in the design, analysis, preparation, decision to publish, or any other aspect related to the preparation of any output under this Fellowship.