IIM Kozhikode - Vrihi Foundation Fellowships
2026 Topic: ‘Small, Informal Food Business and Street Food Market in Delhi and Kozhikode as a Lens to Migration, Identity and Livelihood/Food Security
India-Japan Centre on Climate and Culture, Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, in collaboration with the Vrihi Foundation, is pleased to announce the first Culinary Lens Fellowship for young researchers from India with an interest in the food history of the Indian Subcontinent. The fellowship aims to support fresh, innovative work in written, visual, multimedia, and experimental formats.
ABOUT THE THEME
The consumerist conception of order dictates state regulation on urban spaces and social practices, tilting ease of access to essential commodities and amenities towards the affluent and privileged, street food disrupts this order and offers a viable option for ensuring urban food security, especially for the urban poor. The informal street food market in urban areas is thus a strong indicator of existing cultural identities, adaptation and negotiation in the urban spaces that it occupies.
Studies have found that migration from particular regions at different points of time to cities like New Delhi and Kozhikode is the driving force behind the variety and also segregation found in the food market. It is not only an important source of insurance for the poor against hunger but also provides an opportunity for the enhancement of a localised yet regional food system. Street vendors and city spaces, however, are not completely disruptive and devoid of order. Differences among vendors and between urban settings relate to ethnic identities derived from histories of migration, land use and legalities of spaces in the city.
The objective of the fellowship is to use street food vending and small informal food businesses as the entry point to study the socio-spatial segmentation, socio-cultural changes and migration patterns in urban markets. The Fellowship announcements will be in two phases. The first two Fellowships will focus on two urban markets in New Delhi – Chittaranjan Park and Lajpat Nagar which are rooted in the history of settlement of refugees from the Partition in eastern and western borders of India. The market in Kozhikode, will be chosen in relation to its history, preferably one that is connected to its land and marine migration/trade routes. The study will assess the evolution of the localities and patterns of migration through changes in street food vending over a pre-determined timeframe. It will also assess the possible relationship between street food vending and identity and livelihood/food security of migrant populations.
WHAT SHOULD THE PROJECTS DELIVER?
. An 5,000-word written submission A photo-essay (12-15 photographs with context) An audio/visual or a hybrid, mixed-media archive
TIMELINE
The Fellowship is a six-month, part-time study.
The fellowship will select two fellows, who will be informed around 15 July 2026. They will participate in a two-day initiation program in IIM Kozhikode with mentors and experts in end July to explore, within the perimeters of their proposal, streets and food on the streets as a site where identity, culture, history, planning, and provisioning intersect.
Fellows will have four months to work on their first draft. Each fellow will be paired with an mentors from Vrihi Foundation and IIM Kozhikode who will support their research, analysis and the development of the final output.
Final submissions must be in English; for primary data/information in other languages, English translations or subtitles need to be provided.
Note: Projects that are part of ongoing or recently completed PhD theses are not eligible.
PAYMENTS
The grant carries an amount of Rs 300,000, less applicable taxes.
Payments will be made in three instalments:
- 20 per cent on signing of the contract
- 30 per cent on completion of primary surveys
- 30 per cent on submission of the first draft and attendance of review meeting and;
- Final instalment on completion of the study.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
30 June 2026
WHO CAN SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?
We are looking for candidates pursuing a master’s degree in Sociology/Anthropology (or other relevant social science disciplines) or Urban planning. The applicant must have strong competences in qualitative methods and have an interest in social anthropology of food and eating, along with proficiency in audio/video documenting.
The fellowship is non-transferable. A resident in either of the two cities or someone flexible to travel to-from and stay at the field locations at their own expenses for data collection is essential for the fellowship.
We are looking for the following qualifications:
Strong competences in qualitative methods, particularly in-depth interviewsHave a broad knowledge and understanding of sociological theoryAn interest in the sociology of food and eatingAn interest in urban planning and migrationAn interest in food culture and food practicesProficiency in audio/video documentingRelevant work experience (e.g. conducting qualitative research projects)Curious mindsetComfortable in working independently.Good cooperation skills
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
HOW TO APPLY
The student(s) will be part of a project group which is embedded in a strong research environment of sociologists, historians and archivers researching food and eating.
The program will be located at the India-Japan Centre on Climate and Culture, Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode. The sampling size, pattern and audio-visual documentation will be guided by the Vrihi Foundation. The research and analysis will be guided by the Vrihi Foundation and India-Japan Centre on Climate and Culture.
Send to us the following on or before 30 June 2026:
A Proposal for the Study in the format given below
Motivated letter of application (max. one page) for this position
Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
Publication list (if possible)
Reference letters (if available)
WHERE TO APPLY:
PROPOSAL FORMAT
1. Title:
2. Overview of the Project
(In this section, you should provide a short overview of your project. You should also state how your project fits into the research priorities of the particular subject area. You must also state precisely why you have chosen to apply to the discipline area.)
2.1 The Problem Statement
Provide a succinct statement which will help you to remain focused on the issue that you are addressing and how the information you will be discussing is related to that issue.
2.2 Background
A brief overview of the larger issues and ideas of your topic, and how this specific research problem relates to these larger issues. This should reference the most important texts related to the project - the research issues, and identify existing gaps (both theoretical and practical) that the research is intended to address.
2.3 Literature Review
Outline the research to date, indicating what aspects of it your project will build upon and the ways that your proposed research differs from what has already been done.
2.4 Objectives
3. Project Design
(This section should identify the information that is necessary to carry out the project, including the analysis, the possible research techniques.)
3.1 Methodology
This section should contain clear information about how each step, or specific method, will help the project get at the problem that guides the research.
3.2 Outcomes
This should include the clear research outcomes and products that will be available at the end of the project, including appropriate dissemination mechanisms for the information/products.
3.3 Timelines
