The Culinary Lens Fellowship 2026 is a research fellowship launched by the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode through its India–Japan Centre on Climate and Culture, in collaboration with the Vrihi Foundation. The fellowship supports interdisciplinary research that explores the food history of the Indian subcontinent through the lens of small, informal food businesses and street food markets.
About the IIM Kozhikode – Vrihi Foundation Culinary Lens Fellowship 2026
The 2026 theme focuses on informal food economies and street food markets in New Delhi and Kozhikode. These markets are examined as living spaces where migration histories, cultural identity, and urban survival strategies intersect.
Funding Size
Selected fellows will receive a total grant of INR 300,000, subject to applicable taxes.
The payment structure is as follows:
- 20 percent upon signing the fellowship contract
- 30 percent after completion of primary field surveys
- 30 percent upon submission of the first draft and participation in review
- Final installment upon project completion
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
- Be currently pursuing a master’s degree in sociology, anthropology, urban planning, or related social sciences
- Demonstrate strong qualitative research skills
- Show interest in food studies, migration, and urban systems
- Have proficiency in audio-visual documentation
Preferred qualifications include experience with field interviews, familiarity with sociological theory, and strong analytical and communication skills.
Applicants must be able to travel to field locations at their own expense. The fellowship is non-transferable.
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Geographic Eligibility
Open to researchers based in India who can conduct fieldwork in New Delhi and Kozhikode.
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Food history and food systems
- Migration and identity
- Informal economies and livelihoods
- Urban spatial dynamics
- Food security and cultural continuity
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Research proposal following the specified structure
- Statement of purpose (maximum one page)
- Curriculum vitae
- Publication list (if available)
- Reference letters (optional)
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Proposal Structure
The research proposal should include:
- Title
- Project overview
- Problem statement
- Background and context
- Literature review
- Objectives
- Project design
- Methodology
- Expected outcomes
- Timeline
Required Materials
- Research proposal
- Statement of purpose
- CV
- Publication list (optional)
- Reference letters (optional)
Key Dates
- Selection of fellows: Mid-July 2026
- Initiation programme at IIM Kozhikode: Late July 2026
- Fellowship duration: Six months (part-time)
- Application deadline: 30 June 2026
Selection Notes
Two fellows will be selected. Each fellow will receive mentorship from experts across both partner institutions to guide research design, fieldwork, and analytical development.
Final outputs must include:
- A 5,000-word written research submission
- A photo essay (12 to 15 images with narratives)
- An audio-visual or mixed-media archive
All submissions must be in English. Translations or subtitles are required for non-English primary data.