If you want hands-on exposure to international business, policy and export promotion, fellowships, internships and training programmes are the fastest way in. India’s export ecosystem is supported by central ministries, trade institutes, export promotion councils and industry bodies — and many of them run fellowships, research stipends, internships and certificate training tailored to export trade and policy.
Below I explain the major options (government + institutional), who they suit, eligibility, fees/stipends, how to register, and give a single-place table of direct links so you can apply quickly.
Why pursue an export-trade fellowship or internship?
Think of these programmes as a bridge from classroom theory to real export work: you learn trade policy, export schemes, customs & compliance, market access, buyer-seller facilitation and B2B matchmaking — and you build networks that help land export jobs or launch an export startup. Government placements also give insight into policy design and implementation.
Key players run these programmes: Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) like EEPC, APEDA and sector councils, and the Ministry of Commerce schemes (e.g., MAI). DGFT+2IIFT+2
1) DGFT: Internships & Short Fellowships (Government of India)
What it is
DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) runs internships and summer placements giving direct exposure to India’s Foreign Trade Policy, licensing, export regulations and scheme implementation. These are short, policy-oriented placements in New Delhi and regional offices. DGFT
Who should apply
Students/young professionals in Public Policy, Economics, Law, Commerce, International Business, Management and allied fields who want policy exposure.
Eligibility (typical)
• Graduate degree in relevant discipline (often 60%+).
• Preference to students from premier institutes and post-graduates in policy/econ/management. Specific calls note exact criteria. The Global Scholarship+1
Fees / Stipend
Mostly unpaid or modest stipend depending on the specific call; check the current DGFT internship notice for the latest terms. DGFT
How to register
- Watch DGFT’s vacancies / internship page for advertised calls.
- Apply with CV, cover letter and academic transcripts.
- Shortlisted candidates are interviewed.
Apply via the DGFT website’s vacancies/internship section. DGFT
2) IIFT — PhD Fellowships, Research Assistantships & Certificate Programmes
What it is
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is India’s premier trade institute. It offers doctoral fellowships (PhD) with monthly stipends, research assistant opportunities and short certificate courses in export/import management and trade policy. Full-time PhD scholars typically receive monthly fellowships and sometimes HRA. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade+1
Who should apply
Aspiring researchers, academics, policy analysts, and mid-career professionals seeking deep expertise in international trade, logistics, trade policy and export promotion.
Eligibility & fees (PhD)
• PhD: eligibility per IIFT PhD notifications (master’s degree with required scores).
• PhD Scholars receive monthly fellowships (reports cite ~₹37,000/month for initial years with increases in later years); full-time PhD scholars normally have no program fee. Exact stipend/terms are per latest IIFT PhD brochure. College Vidya+1
Short courses / certificates
IIFT runs certificate programmes (Export-Import Management, International Trade) — fees vary by programme; these are paid professional courses suitable for exporters and executives. Registration is via IIFT’s course pages. IIFT+1
How to register
• For PhD: Apply when IIFT advertises admission (online form + documents + interview).
• For certificate courses: enrol via IIFT’s dedicated programme page. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade+1
3) FIEO & Export Promotion Councils — fellowship-like training and certificate programmes
What they are
FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations) and sector export promotion councils (EPCs) run short professional certificate courses, export bootcamps, trade facilitation workshops and occasional research fellowships/placements. These are practical programmes focused on export procedures, RoDTEP/Remission schemes, B2B exports, logistics and market entry. FIEO+1
Who should apply
Startups, MSME exporters, trade promotion professionals, consultants and students seeking export operations know-how.
Eligibility & fees
Most certificate courses are open to professionals and students; fees vary (paid courses). Some workshops may be sponsored or free for members. FIEO posts course events and registration details on its website. FIEO+1
How to register
Register via FIEO / relevant EPC event pages. For exporters, EPC membership opens additional training and project assistance. FIEO
4) MAI (Market Access Initiative) & Related Government Support — support for exporters, not individual fellowships
What it is
MAI is a government export-promotion grant that funds market studies, participation in fairs, BSMs and market entry activities for EPCs, industry associations, state bodies and exporters. It indirectly funds export capacity building and training programmes run by councils. Mcommerce+1
Who benefits
EPCs, industry associations, selected exporters (especially MSMEs), state agencies.
How it helps fellows/trainees
Training and fellowships run by EPCs or state missions may be partly funded under MAI, making courses subsidised or enabling sponsored fellowships for exporters. Check EPC notices for MAI-backed courses. EPCH
5) Export Promotion Council Membership Reimbursement & MSME support (SC/ST MSE focus)
What it is
Schemes reimburse membership fees and support first-time MSE exporters for RCMC registration, testing, certification and other export costs. These programmes help micro & small exporters access EPC resources and training. myScheme+1
Who should apply
SC/ST owned MSEs or first-time micro/small exporters meeting scheme criteria.
How to register / benefit
Apply through implementing agencies (NSIC, National SC/ST Hub) or EPC portals as specified in scheme guidelines; submit IEC, RCMC and other documents for reimbursement claims. IndiaFilings+1
Practical tips for applicants
- Match skill to programme: policy internships (DGFT) need policy/econ aptitude; IIFT PhD needs strong academic CV; FIEO/EPC courses suit practitioners. DGFT+1
- Get export basics down: learn IEC registration, RCMC, GST/EPC schemes, common export documentation — these are often screening topics.
- Use EPC membership: if you run an MSME, EPC membership unlocks funded training, buyer-seller meets and MAI-supported activities. Indian Trade Portal+1
- Watch official pages: DGFT, IIFT, FIEO and EPCs publish calls and course schedules on their sites — set alerts. DGFT+2IIFT+2
Direct links (one-place table)
Use these links to reach programme pages and apply. (Click the URL to go to the official page.)
| Organization / Programme | Direct link (open in browser) |
|---|---|
| DGFT — Vacancies & Internship page | https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=vacancies-and-internship DGFT |
| Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) — PhD, Courses & Training | https://www.iift.ac.in/ IIFT |
| Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) — Events & Training | https://fieo.org/ FIEO |
| Ministry of Commerce — Market Access Initiative (MAI) scheme | https://www.commerce.gov.in/international-trade/trade-promotion-programmes-and-schemes/trade-promotion-programme-focus-cis/market-access-initiative-mai-scheme/ Mcommerce |
| Export Promotion Councils — list & contacts | https://www.commerce.gov.in/useful-links/export-promotion-councils/ Mcommerce |
| EEPC India (Engineering Export Promotion Council) | https://www.eepcindia.org/ EEPC India |
| APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Dev. Auth.) | https://apeda.gov.in/ (search APEDA training/events) |
| Export Promotion Council membership reimbursement (guidelines) | https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/epcmrs myScheme |
| Project Exports Promotion Council (PEPC) | https://www.projectexports.com/ Project Exports |
| CHEMEXCIL (Basic Chemicals) MAI page | https://chemexcil.in/content/mai-scheme/370/46962db018ce4c24e51298eb657d5bd5 chemexcil.in |
Tip: Bookmark this table. Most fellowships & internships post application windows; checking these links weekly is a good habit.