The Echidna Global Scholars Program 2027 at Brookings Institution, Washington D.C USA ($26,500 USD Stipend & Fully Funded)

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Application Deadline:  December 1, 2026.

Applications are now open for the 2027 Echidna Global Scholars Program. The Echidna Global Scholars Program at the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at Brookings seeks to catalyze and amplify the impact of local leaders working to advance gender-transformative education across the Global South. During a six-month fellowship, Echidna Global Scholars conduct individual research focused on improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women, and gender-nonconforming people, develop their leadership and evidence-based policy skills, build substantive knowledge on gender and global education issues, and expand their pathways for impact. Upon completion of the fellowship, scholars transition to the Echidna Alumni Network, a growing community of practice aimed at promoting their significant, sustained, and collective influence on gender-transformative education globally and locally.

During a six-month fellowship, Echidna Global Scholars conduct individual research focused on improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women, and gender non-conforming people, develop their leadership and evidence-based policy skills, build substantive knowledge on gender and global education issues, and expand their pathways for impact.

Eligibility Requirements

• Substantial experience in, ties to, and a clear intent to return to a country in the Global South.
• Background in education, development, public policy, economics, or a related social sciences or humanities area; a Master’s degree (or higher) is required.
• 10+ years of professional experience in research/academia, nongovernmental, community, or civil society organizations, or government.
• An intimate understanding of education development issues and gender.
• Ability to collaborate with others, openness to give and receive feedback, and capacity and desire to learn with speed and flexibility.
• All Echidna Global Scholars must demonstrate proficiency in English.

Fellowship Phases

The Fellowship consists of four phases:

1. Kickoff and research design retreat (April 2027): Sets the basis for the research training, leadership, and strategic impact components of the program. Time commitment is one week, during which the scholars will meet with the CUE Gender Equality in and through Education (GEE) team in person to refine their research proposal, identifying a policy problem, designing a research study, and planning their data collection.
2. Pre-residency (June-July 2027): With the support of the CUE GEE team, scholars begin an intensive period of in-country data collection and analysis, accompanied by a series of virtual workshops, group working meetings, and individual advisory sessions. Scholars are introduced to the concepts and tools that will be the focus of the leadership development program throughout the Fellowship and begin developing an impact strategy, identifying and engaging with local actors. Time commitment is roughly 15-20 hours a week during this phase.
3. Residency (August-December 2027): The residency period in Washington, D.C. focuses primarily on clarifying Scholars’ focus and expanding their reach and impact. The residency phase is designed to support Scholars as they strengthen skills and practices for analyzing, communicating, and leveraging research for policy contexts and key audiences and engage in a reflective and individualized leadership development program. The residency also seeks to expand Scholars’ networks and promote visibility through Brookings convenings and strategic collaborations. Over the course of the residency, Scholars will engage in analysis of data collected during the pre-residency phase and will work closely with the CUE GEE team to translate their research into an action-oriented policy brief and strategic commentaries, which will be published and disseminated on Brookings’s multimedia platforms.
4. Post-residency (2028-2029): During the post-residency, scholars will participate in the Gender Equality in and through Education Research and Policy Symposium. Over the two-year period following residency, the CUE team provides intentional support to alumni as they translate their research into action through the implementation of impact projects in their home countries. Through impact planning, strategic advisement and leadership development work, CUE supports scholars as they leverage the knowledge, skills, and connections built throughout the Fellowship to catalyze change in their contexts.

How to Apply  

All applications must be submitted through the iCIMS application system. Initial application materials must include BOTH attachments:

1. A CV or resume which should include your education and professional experience, as well as a list of your publications, and any fellowships, honors, awards, funded research, or foundation support that you have received.
2. The completed Echidna Global Scholars Program Application, which includes both a written questionnaire and a research proposal. Click on hyperlink to access document and upload in the “Writing sample” section. Documents must be saved with a format of Last Name_First Name_document name (for example: Doe_Jane_CV).

Note that letters of recommendation, writing samples, and transcripts are NOT required.

Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates selected for interviews may be asked to submit additional materials and provide references. Incomplete applications and any applications received after the deadline will not be considered. If you require visa sponsorship to participate in this fellowship program, your English proficiency will be verified via an objective assessment as required by the U.S. Department of State.

Timing and Application Deadlines:

• Application deadline: December 1, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
• Phone screen interviews: December 7-18, 2026
• Program and final panel: January and February 2027
• Selection and invitations sent: February 16, 2027
• Acceptance date: February 23, 2027
• Kickoff and research design retreat: April 2027 (TBD)
• Fellowship – pre-residency start date: June 15, 2027
• Fellowship – residency in Washington, D.C.: August-December 2027

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Echidna Global Scholars Program