2027 Echidna Global Scholars Visiting Fellowship at Brookings Institution – US$26,500 Stipend

3. Washington, D.C. residency – August to December 2027

Scholars undertake a full-time, in-person residency at Brookings. They analyse their research findings, develop policy recommendations, participate in leadership development activities and engage with researchers, education specialists and policy stakeholders.

A major output of the fellowship is an evidence-based policy paper, alongside other research and policy communication activities.

4. Post-residency engagement

Following the residency, scholars are expected to work towards implementing activities in their home countries based on their research findings. They also become part of the Echidna Global Scholars Alumni Network, which supports continued collaboration, shared learning and professional engagement.

Fellowship funding and benefits

Selected scholars receive a stipend of US$26,500 to support living costs during the pre-residency and residency periods. The stipend is subject to applicable United States tax withholding and reporting requirements.

Additional support provided by the programme includes:

• Single-occupancy accommodation during the four-month residency in Washington, D.C.
• Round-trip travel expenses.
• Costs associated with the visa process.
• Costs associated with the April 2027 research design retreat.
• A limited health insurance plan.
• Research guidance and professional development.
• Access to Brookings researchers, education specialists and policy networks.
• Membership of the Echidna Global Scholars Alumni Network after the residency.

The US$26,500 is a stipend, not a salary. The fellowship is not an employment position. Applicants should review the funding and visa conditions carefully before applying. Brookings provides visa-process support but does not guarantee visa approval.

Eligibility requirements

The programme is intended for established professionals with substantial experience in education, gender equality and development.

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

1. Educational qualification

Applicants must hold a master's degree or a higher qualification. Relevant academic backgrounds include:

• Education
• Gender and Women's Studies
• International Development
• Global Development
• Public Policy
• Economics
• Related social sciences and humanities disciplines

2. Professional experience

Applicants must have at least 10 years of professional experience in relevant areas. Experience may come from:

• Research institutions and academia
• Non-governmental organisations
• Community-based organisations
• Civil society organisations
• Government institutions

Candidates with experience across academic or government institutions and community organisations are particularly encouraged.

3. Demonstrated commitment to gender equality in education

Applicants should have a strong understanding of education development and gender issues, as well as a demonstrated commitment to improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women and gender-nonconforming people.

4. Connection to the Global South

Applicants should have substantial professional experience and ties to a country in the Global South. They must also demonstrate a clear intention to return to their home country or another Global South context after completing the Washington residency.

5. English proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English and possess strong research, analytical, writing and collaboration skills.

Priority areas for the 2027 fellowship

The 2027 call gives special consideration to applicants working in:

• West and Central Africa
• Southeast Asia
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• The Middle East, Southwest Asia and North Africa

The programme also gives special consideration to work in countries and communities affected by conflict, humanitarian crises and displacement, including post-conflict environments where progress in education has stalled or reversed.

These are priority areas for consideration, not a replacement for the general eligibility requirements.

Required application documents

Applicants must submit two main documents through the Brookings recruitment portal:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé

The CV should provide details of the applicant's:

• Educational qualifications
• Professional experience
• Research and academic publications
• Previous fellowships
• Honours and awards
• Funded research projects
• Grants or foundation support received

2. Completed Echidna Global Scholars Programme application

The programme application includes a written questionnaire and a research proposal of approximately 3–5 pages. The proposal should present a research project relevant to improving education opportunities and gender equality in the applicant's country.

The research proposal is particularly important because the fellowship is built around developing evidence that can inform education policy and practice.

Brookings states that separate recommendation letters, academic transcripts and additional writing samples are not required at the initial application stage. Applicants selected for interviews may be asked to provide further information or references.

How to apply

Interested applicants should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Brookings Echidna Global Scholar vacancy page.
2. Review the eligibility requirements and fellowship responsibilities carefully.
3. Prepare an updated CV containing relevant professional experience, research outputs, publications and awards.
4. Download and complete the Echidna Global Scholars Programme application document.
5. Answer the questionnaire and prepare a research proposal of 3–5 pages.
6. Save the documents using the required naming format: Last Name_First Name_document name.
7. Open the Brookings recruitment portal and submit both required attachments. The completed programme application should be uploaded in the portal's designated "Writing sample" section.
8. Submit the application before the deadline.

Application advice

This fellowship is highly specialised, so applicants should not rely on a general motivation letter or a CV that simply lists their academic qualifications.

The research proposal should identify a specific education challenge affecting girls, young women or gender equality in the applicant's country. It should explain why the issue matters, what evidence is missing, how the proposed research will investigate the problem and how the findings could influence education policy or practice.

For example, a candidate working in Nigeria might investigate barriers preventing girls in rural communities from transitioning from secondary school to tertiary education, the effect of gender norms on school participation, or how education policies can better support girls affected by displacement.

Applicants should demonstrate that they have the professional relationships, research experience and understanding of their local context needed to carry out the proposed project. The strongest applications will connect the research question to a practical opportunity for improving education outcomes after the fellowship.

It is also important to demonstrate the ability to commit to the programme's schedule. The pre-residency period requires substantial part-time participation, while the Washington, D.C. residency is a full-time, in-person commitment.

Important dates

• Research design retreat: April 2027
• Pre-residency: June–July 2027
• Washington, D.C. residency: August–December 2027
• Application deadline: 1 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Incomplete applications and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.