YLCube Foundation invites applications for research associates and interns across multiple centres.
About the Organisation / Institution
The Young Leaders for Legal Literacy Foundation (YLCube Foundation) is a not-for-profit socio-legal research organisation committed to strengthening legal awareness, promoting access to justice, and encouraging academic engagement among young scholars across India. The foundation works at the intersection of legal literacy, public policy research, and student-led intellectual collaboration, aiming to create a meaningful bridge between legal education and social transformation.
Over the years, YLCube Foundation has developed a strong reputation for its research-driven initiatives and grassroots legal literacy programmes. It has produced more than 30 research reports in diverse areas of law and conducted outreach activities across over 100 districts in India. The organisation has engaged more than 5,000 students from law and allied disciplines through workshops, internships, and academic collaborations.
The foundation’s work has received international recognition from institutions such as the International Criminal Court (The Hague) and the United Nations Harmony with Nature Programme. It has also received support from International Bridges for Justice, Switzerland, and collaborated with prestigious institutions including the University of Oxford’s Oxford Pro Bono Publico and the Clinton Global Initiative University. Through its think tank initiatives, YLCube continues to promote research excellence in Environmental Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property Rights, and legal history.
About the Opportunity / Programme
The Publication Department of YLCube Foundation is inviting applications for the positions of Research Associates and Interns across its specialised research centres. This opportunity is designed for law students and young professionals interested in contributing to structured socio-legal research projects under the guidance of experienced legal scholars and practitioners.
Selected participants will engage in thematic research projects addressing contemporary legal and policy challenges. These projects span diverse areas including sentencing policy, governance models, diaspora studies, environmental sustainability frameworks, intellectual property law, and constitutional history. The programme provides participants with a collaborative academic environment where they can strengthen research skills while contributing to nationally relevant scholarship.
Nature of Work / Responsibilities / Exposure
Participants selected as Research Associates or Interns will work under dedicated research centres and project leads. Responsibilities may include conducting doctrinal and interdisciplinary legal research, reviewing literature and policy frameworks, drafting research notes and analytical reports, assisting in preparing publications, and contributing to collaborative academic discussions.
Interns working with the Criminal Law Centre will engage with sentencing policy frameworks and comparative criminal justice research. Those associated with the International Relations Centre will contribute to projects examining democracy as a governance model and diaspora-based post-colonial exchanges between India and Africa. Participants in the Environmental Policy and Sustainable Action Centre will assist in developing research around the Bharat Model of ESG, while the Legal History project focuses on narratives surrounding the Constituent Assembly. The Intellectual Property Rights Centre will involve research on contemporary developments in IP law and regulatory structures.
This exposure enables participants to gain hands-on experience in structured research environments similar to academic think tanks and policy institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are open to regular students pursuing law or allied disciplines from recognised institutions. Young professionals with academic or research interests in law, governance, public policy, or interdisciplinary legal studies are also encouraged to apply.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong legal writing abilities and familiarity with standard legal citation methods. Prior research experience, though not mandatory, will be considered an advantage.
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Skills / Benefits / Learning Outcomes
Participants selected for this programme will gain valuable exposure to collaborative legal research and policy-oriented academic writing. The internship provides an opportunity to work closely with centre leads associated with reputed academic and professional institutions, including Oxford University, Harvard Law School, and leading Indian law schools.
Interns will strengthen their research methodology skills, improve their academic drafting abilities, and gain familiarity with structured publication workflows. The programme also includes special workshops on legal writing designed to enhance citation practices, analytical structuring, and argument development.
Upon successful completion of the internship, participants will receive an official internship certificate from YLCube Foundation, recognising their academic contribution and research engagement.
Duration / Mode / Location / Stipend
The internship duration is two months (mandatory), with a three-month engagement considered desirable for extended participation. The mode of work is primarily hybrid, with most responsibilities carried out remotely. However, occasional visits to archives or courts for interviews or research-related activities may be required depending on project requirements.
This is a pro bono research opportunity. No financial remuneration is associated with participation at any stage of the programme.
Important Dates
Last date to apply: 05 April 2026, 11:59 PM (IST)
Who Should Apply
This opportunity is particularly suitable for law students interested in academic research, public policy analysis, legal history, environmental governance, criminal justice reform, intellectual property law, and international relations. Students planning careers in litigation research, policy institutions, academia, or advanced postgraduate studies will benefit significantly from structured exposure to think tank-style research environments.
Applicants seeking to strengthen their research portfolio through collaborative publications and guided mentorship should strongly consider applying.
