Applications are open for a research internship in the Women in Sport domain from April to June 2026.
About Aditi Mutatkar and Initiative
Aditi Mutatkar is a former elite badminton player who represented India at the highest international level, including winning a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2010, achieving India No. 1 ranking status, and reaching a world ranking of 27. Following her professional sports career, her work has expanded into building initiatives in the Women in Sport ecosystem with a strong focus on women’s health, athlete development, leadership pathways, education access, and institutional support frameworks for girls and women athletes.
Her current independent projects aim to translate research insights into structured policy proposals, programme frameworks, presentations, and advocacy initiatives that strengthen participation and long-term engagement of women in sport across India.
This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to research-driven initiatives shaping the future of women’s participation in sport and leadership ecosystems.
About the Opportunity
Applications are invited for the position of Research Intern to support ongoing independent projects in the Women in Sport domain between 15 April and 15 June 2026. This is a remote internship designed for candidates interested in research, documentation, and policy-oriented project development related to gender inclusion in sport.
Selected interns will contribute to literature reviews, structured documentation preparation, research synthesis, and presentation support activities connected with initiatives focusing on strengthening the experience of girls and women in sport ecosystems in India.
A stipend will be provided for the duration of the internship.
Nature of Work and Responsibilities
The selected Research Intern will support multiple ongoing initiatives through structured research and documentation tasks. Responsibilities include conducting secondary research and literature reviews related to women’s participation in sport, gender equity frameworks, athlete development ecosystems, and institutional support mechanisms.
Interns will assist in synthesizing research findings into structured insights for reports, briefs, and policy-oriented documentation. Participants will also contribute to drafting background notes, summaries, and supporting material for presentations and project proposals.
Additional responsibilities include organising references, datasets, and research resources used in project development workflows. Interns may also assist in preparing presentation decks and structured communication material supporting advocacy initiatives and programme development activities.
These responsibilities provide strong exposure to interdisciplinary research practices combining sport policy, gender studies, leadership development, and ecosystem-building initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are open to candidates meeting the following requirements:
Strong interest in women in sport, gender equity, or athlete development initiatives
Demonstrated ability in research and documentation work
Ability to prepare structured presentations and analytical summaries
High attention to detail and organisational capability
Capacity to work independently with clarity and precision
Candidates should demonstrate reliability, ownership of assigned tasks, and the ability to execute structured research assignments within deadlines.
Skills Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Interns selected for this programme will gain structured exposure to research methodologies used in policy-oriented and ecosystem development initiatives within the Women in Sport domain. Participation in literature review assignments strengthens analytical reasoning and improves the ability to interpret interdisciplinary research across gender, sport governance, and leadership studies.
The internship also supports development of professional documentation skills through preparation of structured briefs, background notes, and presentation material used in advocacy and programme planning environments. Exposure to real-world project structuring processes helps participants understand how research insights translate into institutional initiatives.
Working directly with a national-level athlete and ecosystem builder further enhances understanding of leadership frameworks in sport and strengthens professional networks in the sport development and policy ecosystem.
Duration Mode Location and Stipend
Duration: 15 April to 15 June 2026
Mode: Remote
Position: Research Intern
Stipend: Provided
Important Dates
Internship period: 15 April to 15 June 2026
Applicants are encouraged to apply at the earliest due to the limited and selective nature of the role.
Who Should Apply
This opportunity is particularly suitable for:
Students interested in gender and sport policy research
Candidates exploring careers in sport governance or development
Applicants with strong research and documentation skills
Individuals interested in interdisciplinary public policy initiatives
Students preparing for research fellowships or academic pathways
Candidates passionate about women’s leadership ecosystems in sport
Application Procedure
Click here to apply: aditibaddy@gmail.com
Applicants must include:
Resume
Short note explaining interest in the role
Brief note on interest in women in sport
One to two examples of research, writing, documentation, or presentation work
Availability confirmation from 15 April to 15 June 2026
Subject line: Application – Research Intern – Women in Sport
