Fellowships at Sadhana Forest
The Sadhana Forest Fellowships offer a rare opportunity to live and learn within an international volunteer community dedicated to ecological restoration, veganism, and compassionate living.
Fellows receive in-depth, hands-on training in ecosystem regeneration, water conservation, community organization, and sustainable living practices, all rooted in the spirit of Seva (selfless service).
Each Fellowship invites participants to grow through practice: serving people, animals, and the planet while developing leadership, empathy, and resilience.
Current Fellowship Opportunities
Sadhana Forest Fellowship
A one-year residential Fellowship at Sadhana Forest Auroville, Tamil Nadu.
Fellows participate in every aspect of community life: planting and caring for trees, maintaining water-harvesting structures, facilitating activities in the Children’s Land and Tea Hut, cooking and cleaning and welcoming visitors and volunteers.
Training includes vegan community living, natural learning, and ecological restoration methods.
Food and accommodation are provided, along with a small stipend.
Plant 4 India Fellowship
A one-year Fellowship focused on reforestation and water conservation in rural India.
Fellows work closely with climate-vulnerable and malnourished communities, training local people to plant indigenous, drought-resistant, food-producing trees and to implement cost-effective land-restoration techniques.
Environmental Leaders Fellowship (ELF)
A two-year international Fellowship designed for those ready to take on long-term leadership roles in ecosystem restoration.
Starting with intensive training in Sadhana Forest Auroville, Fellows later serve in one or more of Sadhana Forest’s rural centers in India, Haiti, Kenya, and Namibia.
They train local communities in water conservation and indigenous food-forest creation, building long-term food and water security while deepening their own practice of compassionate leadership.
Applications are accepted year-round.
Sadhana Forest Scholarship
The Sadhana Forest Scholarship is a five-year programme, with four years of full-time, residential participation followed by a one-year mentored incubation period.
The scholarship includes immersive service, sustainable living, and self-directed education.
During the first four years, all participants live full-time in off-grid, solar-powered, low-waste campuses and follow a lifestyle based on compassion, sustainability, and service (Seva).
This includes a 100% vegan diet, and complete abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other intoxicating substances for the entire duration of the 5 year programme.
Commitment to these core principles is essential; any violation will result in immediate removal from the programme.
This is a life-changing opportunity for those who want to dedicate themselves to meaningful service, community life, and long-term ecological impact.
Applications are open year-round; for details, email fellowships@sadhanaforest.org.
Shared Principles
All Fellowships are grounded in Sadhana Forest’s core values:
• 100% vegan and substance-free lifestyle
• Gift economy: all participation, food, and accommodation are offered freely
• Community living: serving together in an atmosphere of kindness and equality
• Seva: full-time, selfless service for the benefit of people, animals, and the Earth
Fellows receive food, accommodation, and guidance. Upon completion, they receive a certificate and personalized recommendation letter and may be invited to continue serving in one of Sadhana Forest’s centers.
Who Can Apply
• Minimum age: 18 years
• Indian residents may apply for any Fellowship; the ELF program also welcomes international participants
• No prior experience is required, only dedication, compassion, and a willingness to learn and serve
Contact
fellowships@sadhanaforest.org
Get Involved
Learn more about how you can contribute to our mission and be part of this transformative journey.