Brookings Echidna Global Scholars Fellowship 2027: $26,500 Stipend and Fully Supported Research Residency in the USA
The Brookings Institution is inviting applications for the 2027 Echidna Global Scholars Program, an international visiting fellowship supporting experienced professionals working to advance gender equality in and through education across the Global South.
Hosted by the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at Brookings in Washington, D.C., the programme offers selected scholars an opportunity to conduct research, strengthen leadership skills, engage with policymakers and develop strategies for influencing education policy in their home countries.
Successful applicants will receive a $26,500 stipend to support living costs during the pre-residency and residency periods. The fellowship also provides support for international travel, visa-related costs, accommodation during the four-month residency and a limited health insurance plan.
The application deadline is 1 December 2026.
Echidna Global Scholars Fellowship 2027: Overview
- Host organisation: Brookings Institution
- Programme: Echidna Global Scholars Program
- Host centre: Center for Universal Education
- Location: Washington, D.C., United States
- Fellowship year: 2027
- Duration: Approximately six months of pre-residency and residency activities
- Stipend: $26,500 USD
- Residency: August–December 2027
- Pre-residency: June–July 2027
- Application deadline: 1 December 2026
- Target applicants: Experienced professionals from the Global South
About the Echidna Global Scholars Program
The Echidna Global Scholars Program seeks to accelerate systemic change for gender equality in and through education. It supports leaders who are working to strengthen education systems, challenge discriminatory social norms and improve opportunities for girls, young women and other marginalised groups.
The programme is designed for professionals who understand the challenges affecting their communities and want to use research, evidence and policy engagement to achieve lasting change.
Through the fellowship, scholars conduct individual research projects, develop evidence-based policy skills, strengthen their leadership capabilities and build relationships with international education and development networks.
The programme also provides continued support after the Washington residency, helping scholars translate their research into practical initiatives in their home countries.
Fellowship Structure and Activities
The 2027 fellowship consists of four main phases.
1. Kickoff and Research Design Retreat – April 2027
Selected scholars will participate in a one-week in-person retreat with the Center for Universal Education’s Gender Equality in and through Education team. The retreat will help participants refine their research proposals, identify policy problems, design studies and plan data collection.
2. Pre-residency – June to July 2027
During this phase, scholars will work remotely from their home countries, undertaking data collection and analysis. Participants will also attend virtual workshops, group meetings and individual advisory sessions.
The expected time commitment is approximately 15–20 hours per week.
3. Residency at Brookings – August to December 2027
Scholars will spend four months in Washington, D.C., working full-time at the Brookings Institution. They will analyse research findings, strengthen their policy communication skills and develop an action-oriented policy brief and strategic commentaries.
The research outputs will be published and disseminated through Brookings platforms.
4. Post-residency Support – 2028 to 2029
Following the residency, scholars will receive support to implement activities in their home countries. They will also participate in the Echidna Global Scholars Alumni Network, which connects researchers, educators, community leaders and policy influencers committed to gender equality in education.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected scholars will receive a stipend totalling $26,500 USD, subject to applicable US tax withholding and reporting.
Additional support includes:
- Visa process costs.
- Round-trip travel expenses.
- Single-occupancy accommodation during the four-month Washington residency.
- Costs associated with the research design and kickoff retreat.
- A limited health insurance plan.
- Leadership development and research mentorship.
- Opportunities to publish research through Brookings platforms.
- Access to the Echidna Global Scholars Alumni Network.
This is a short-term fellowship, not an employment position at Brookings.
Eligibility Requirements
The programme targets experienced professionals with substantial experience and ties to the Global South.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Education: A master’s degree is required.
Professional experience: Applicants must have at least 10 years of professional experience in research or academia, non-governmental organisations, community or civil society organisations, or government.
Relevant academic backgrounds include:
- Education.
- Gender and women’s studies.
- International or global development.
- Public policy.
- Economics.
- Related social sciences or humanities disciplines.
Candidates with experience in both academic or government settings and community organisations are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong understanding of education, development and gender issues, excellent analytical and writing skills, collaboration skills and proficiency in English.
Candidates should also demonstrate a clear intention to return to the Global South after completing their Brookings residency.
Priority Areas for the 2027 Fellowship
The programme welcomes applications from across the Global South, with special consideration for applicants working in:
- West and Central Africa.
- Southeast Asia.
- Latin America and the Caribbean.
- The Middle East, Southwest Asia and North Africa.
Priority is also given to research addressing education challenges in conflict-affected and displaced communities, contexts experiencing climate shocks, gender-based violence, child marriage, adolescent pregnancy and unequal access to digital education.
Research should focus on gender equality in and through education and adopt a gender-transformative approach.
Topics addressing learning outcomes, skills development, secondary school completion, transitions to higher education and employment, and barriers affecting marginalised learners are particularly encouraged.
Applicants who have not previously worked specifically on gender equality and education may still apply, provided they explain how they would integrate this focus into their work.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Brookings Institution’s online recruitment system.
Applicants must submit two documents:
- CV or résumé: Include education, professional experience, publications, fellowships, honours, awards, funded research and foundation support.
- Completed Echidna Global Scholars Program application: This includes a written questionnaire and research proposal.
The completed programme application must be uploaded in the designated writing sample section of the application system.
Letters of recommendation, separate writing samples and academic transcripts are not required at the initial application stage. Candidates selected for interviews may be asked to provide additional information and references.
Applicants should follow the specified document-naming format: Last Name_First Name_document name.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Application Deadline
1 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Interested applicants should review the fellowship requirements and prepare their research proposals before submitting their applications.
The Echidna Global Scholars Program offers an opportunity for experienced Global South professionals to strengthen research, leadership and policy influence while contributing to more equitable education systems.
