Brookings Echidna Global Scholars 2027: $26500 Fellowship for Education and Gender Equality Leaders

Do you work to improve education for girls and young women in the Global South? The Echidna Global Scholars Program at the Brookings Institution is open for 2027. It is a Visiting Fellowship for experienced professionals. Selected scholars receive a total stipend of 26500 US dollars. They also spend four months in Washington D.C. to turn their research into real policy change.

An online information session takes place on 21 October 2026. The application deadline is 1 December 2026.

Quick Facts

Official Information Checked: 15 October 2026

What the Fellowship Is

The Echidna Global Scholars Program works to speed up change for gender equality in and through education. It supports leaders who understand the problems in their own communities. These leaders build research based solutions to improve education for girls and young women.

The programme is part of the Center for Universal Education and its work to build fair and high quality education systems. It mixes research with leadership training and policy work. Scholars learn how to influence decision makers and how to make change last.

Past scholars have worked across Africa, Asia and the Americas. After the fellowship, they join the Echidna Global Scholars Alumni Network. The network supports shared research, learning and joint action.

How the Four Phases Work

Phase 1. Kickoff and Research Design Retreat in April 2027
This is a 1 week in-person retreat with the Gender Equality in and through Education team. You refine your research proposal. You define the policy problem and design your study. You also plan how to collect your data.

Phase 2. Pre Residency from June to July 2027
You work from your home country for about two months. You spend around 15 to 20 hours a week on it. You collect data and start your analysis. You join online workshops and group meetings. You also meet advisers one to one. You begin an impact strategy and find local people who can help turn your findings into action.

Phase 3. Residency at Brookings from August to December 2027
You spend four months in Washington D.C. The work is full time at about 40 hours a week. You analyse your findings and write an action-focused policy brief. You also write commentary for Brookings platforms. You join seminars, meetings and presentations with people from education, gender equality and global development.

Phase 4. Post Residency in 2028 and 2029
You get support to use your findings back home. This includes impact planning advice and leadership development. You can join the Gender Equality in and through Education Research and Policy Symposium. You may also be invited to apply for seed funding for an impact project.

What You Get

• A total stipend of 26500 US dollars to help with living costs during the pre-residency and residency
• Round-trip travel
• Single-occupancy housing during the four month residency
• Help with visa costs
• Costs linked to the research design retreat
• A limited health insurance plan
• Research mentorship and leadership development
• Chances to publish policy work and meet international education and development networks

The stipend is subject to United States tax withholding and reporting rules. Read the official terms to understand your own financial duties and the exact limits of each benefit.

Is This Fellowship for You

You should apply if

• You hold a master’s degree
• You have at least 10 years of professional experience in research, academia, NGOs, community or civil society groups or government
• You work in education, gender and women’s studies, international development, public policy, economics or a close field
• You have strong experience in and ties to the Global South
• You clearly plan to return to the Global South after the residency
• You have a strong commitment to gender equality through education
• You can show English proficiency and strong analysis, research and writing skills
• You can join the full pre-residency and the full-time on-site residency

You should think again if

• You cannot be in Washington D.C. full time from August to December 2027
• You cannot give 15 to 20 hours a week in June and July
• You do not plan to return to the Global South

People with experience in both academic or government work and community groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Research and Participation Rules

You must finish a research project within the six-month pre-residency and residency period. You collect data and do first analysis in your home country before you travel. You do more analysis and writing during the residency.

You must also write an evidence-based policy paper. You must present your findings at Brookings events. You must talk with policy and community partners. You must prepare a project proposal for the time after the residency. The residency dates are fixed so check your availability before you apply.

Visa Rules

You need a J-1 visa before the residency. Brookings supports you through the visa process and covers the visa costs. It cannot promise that a visa will be given or that you will be allowed to enter the United States. If you need visa sponsorship, your English will be checked with an objective test as required by the US Department of State.

How To Apply Step By Step

1. Join the information session on 21 October 2026 if you can.
2. Go to the official Brookings careers website and search for Echidna Global Scholar with Job ID 2026-3918.
3. Prepare your CV. Include your education, work experience, publications, fellowships, honours, awards, funded research and foundation support.
4. Fill in the Echidna Global Scholars Program application. It has a written questionnaire and a research proposal.
5. Upload the completed application in the Writing sample section.
6. Name each file with your last name then first name, then the document name. Use underscores between the parts. For example, Doe_Jane_CV.
7. Submit everything before 1 December 2026 at 11:59 pm EST.

Letters of recommendation, writing samples and transcripts are not needed at the first stage. If you are chosen for an interview, you may be asked for more documents and references.

How To Make Your Application Stronger

• Start your research proposal early
• Focus on a clear education or gender equity problem in your home country
• Show how your findings could change policy or practice
• Show that you can work with others and take feedback
• Show that you can adapt when plans change
• Show that you can work well with many kinds of partners
• Explain your plan to return to the Global South

Visit Here to Apply

Mistakes To Avoid

• Sending an incomplete application. Incomplete or late applications are not considered
• Leaving out the research proposal or the questionnaire
• Ignoring the file naming rule
• Applying without checking that you can attend all the fixed dates
• Forgetting that the J-1 visa cannot be guaranteed
• Not reading the official terms about your financial duties

Key Dates