About this opportunity
The fellowship is built around a single research project that you design for your own context. Echidna scholars are mid-career leaders who already understand the education systems they work in, and the programme gives them the time, methods support and institutional network to turn that understanding into published evidence and usable policy recommendations. During the six months, each scholar conducts in-depth research on a clearly defined problem, writes an evidence-based policy paper, presents the findings at Brookings events, and works through an individualised leadership development track with workshops, advisory sessions and peer learning. The Center for Universal Education publishes the policy brief and the strategic commentaries scholars produce through its platforms, so the work leaves the building rather than sitting in an archive. Since the programme began in 2012 it has hosted 14 cohorts and now supports an alumni network of 48 scholars working in 25 countries, and it is made possible by the contribution of Echidna Giving.
The calendar runs in four movements. It opens with an in-person research design retreat in April 2027 that takes about a week, where scholars refine the problem, the research question, the study design and the data collection plan with the CUE Gender Equality in and through Education team. Pre-residency work then begins around 15 June 2027 in your own country, costing roughly 15 to 20 hours a week of data collection, initial analysis, virtual workshops and group meetings. The residency follows as full-time, on-site work at Brookings in Washington, D.C. from August to December 2027, focused on analysis, writing, the policy brief, leadership activities and meetings with researchers and practitioners. Post-residency support continues through 2028 and 2029, including the Gender Equality in and through Education Research and Policy Symposium, help designing an impact project you can run after you return home, and standing in the Echidna Alumni Network. Some scholars are also invited to apply for seed funding for that impact project, though this is not automatic.
The money and logistics are handled centrally, which is what makes the fellowship realistic for someone already holding a senior role. Each selected scholar receives US$26,500 in total to cover living costs across the pre-residency and residency periods, subject to United States tax withholding and reporting rules. Brookings covers round-trip travel, single-occupancy housing for the four month residency, the expenses of the research design retreat and the visa process, and provides a limited health insurance plan. Scholars must obtain a J-1 visa before the residency, and while the Center for Universal Education supports that process, it cannot guarantee visa issuance, approval of immigration status or admission to the United States. The programme is also clear that this is a short-term fellowship, not a staff position at Brookings, and the fellowship timeframe will not be extended, so you should plan work and family commitments before applying.
Entry is aimed at established professionals rather than early career applicants. You need a master’s degree or higher, at least ten years of professional experience in research or academia, non-governmental, community or civil society organisations, or government, a background in education, development, public policy, economics or a related social science or humanities field, and substantial experience in, ties to and a clear intention to return to a country in the Global South. Proficiency in English is required for all scholars, and applicants who need visa sponsorship may have that proficiency verified through an objective assessment as required by the United States Department of State. Prospective applicants can register for the virtual information session on Wednesday 21 October 2026 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, or write to the programme team at globalechidna@brookings.edu.
What you receive
- A total stipend of US$26,500 to support living costs during the pre-residency and residency periods
- Round-trip travel costs covered for the fellowship
- Single-occupancy housing paid for the four month residency in Washington, D.C.
- Costs associated with the J-1 visa process covered by the Center for Universal Education
- Expenses of the in-person research design retreat in April 2027 covered
- A limited health insurance plan during the fellowship
- Structured research support, methods training and individual advisory sessions with the CUE Gender Equality in and through Education team
- An individualised leadership development programme of workshops, reflection and advisory sessions
- A published policy brief and strategic commentaries disseminated through Brookings platforms
- Professional access to Brookings researchers, policymakers and the wider education and development community in Washington, D.C.
- Membership of the Echidna Alumni Network, currently 48 scholars across 25 countries, with regional and global convenings and shared learning
- Two years of post-residency support in 2028 and 2029, including help designing an impact project in your home country
- Possible invitation to apply for seed funding to implement that impact project
Who can apply
- Substantial experience in, ties to, and a clear intent to return to a country in the Global South
- A master’s degree or higher is required
- A background in education, gender studies, women’s studies, international or global development, public policy, economics, or a related social science or humanities discipline
- At least ten years of professional experience in research or academia, non-governmental organisations, community or civil society organisations, or government
- A demonstrated commitment to improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women and gender non-conforming people in and through education
- An intimate understanding of education development issues and gender, and of the contexts in which you work
- The ability to collaborate, openness to giving and receiving feedback, and the capacity and desire to learn with speed and flexibility
- Strong analytical and writing skills, needed to complete the research, the policy paper and the recommendations
- Demonstrated proficiency in English for all scholars, which may be verified through an objective assessment where visa sponsorship applies
- Availability for the whole programme, roughly 15 to 20 hours per week during pre-residency and full-time on site in Washington, D.C. from August to December 2027
- Mid-career leaders whose proposed research addresses a clearly defined policy problem and can be completed inside the fellowship timeframe
Who should not apply
- A short-term visiting fellowship, not a staff position or employment at Brookings, and the stipend and covered expenses should not be read as salary or employment benefits
- Not a degree programme, it leads to no academic qualification
- The fellowship timeframe will not be changed, so candidates who cannot commit to the full schedule should not apply
- Applicants without a master’s degree or higher are not eligible
- Fewer than ten years of relevant professional experience falls short of the stated bar
- No guarantee of visa issuance, approval of immigration status or admission to the United States, even though the visa process costs are covered
- The limited health insurance plan should not be assumed to cover every medical expense or situation
- Seed funding for a post-residency impact project is not automatic and should not be treated as a standard benefit
- The published call does not list qualifying country by country, so applicants unsure whether their context counts should confirm with the programme team
Documents to prepare
- A cover letter
- A curriculum vitae
- The completed application questionnaire
- A three to five page proposal for a uniquely developed research project designed to increase the evidence base and improve learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women and gender non-conforming people in your country
- Evidence of your master’s degree or higher qualification
- Documentation of at least ten years of professional experience in a relevant setting
- A statement of your ties to, and intention to return to, a country in the Global South
- English language proficiency evidence if requested for visa sponsorship
How to apply
- Read the programme page at https://www.brookings.edu/echidna-global-scholars-program/ and the companion guidance at https://www.brookings.edu/about-the-echidna-global-scholars-program-and-the-application-process/ to confirm you meet the stated requirements.
- Decide the research problem you want to investigate, keeping it specific to your own country or community, and make sure it can realistically be designed, studied and written up inside the fellowship period.
- Register for the virtual information session on Wednesday 21 October 2026, 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time at https://brookings.zoom.us/j/81876641658?pwd=yQG7RJqg85GkiaXLK8uaCoLw9zyOQe.1, or write to globalechidna@brookings.edu if you cannot attend.
- Open the official application for the 2027 Echidna Global Scholars Visiting Fellowship at https://careers-brookings.icims.com/jobs/3918/echidna-global-scholar/job, the Brookings recruitment portal linked directly from the programme page.
- Prepare your cover letter, curriculum vitae and the completed questionnaire, and make sure your academic and professional history shows the ten years of relevant experience and the master’s level qualification.
- Write the three to five page research proposal covering the policy problem, why it matters in the context you will study, your research questions, your method, the data you will collect and analyse, the policy relevance of the findings, the intended impact, and the local actors you would engage.
- Submit your application well before 1 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, since the review moves quickly afterwards and late or incomplete submissions cannot be considered.
- If you are shortlisted, take part in the phone screen interviews held between 7 and 18 December 2026, then the programme and final panel review during January and February 2027.
- Watch for selection and invitations on 16 February 2027, and confirm your acceptance by 23 February 2027 if you are offered a place.
- Once placed, begin the J-1 visa process as early as you can with the support of the Center for Universal Education, since the four month residency from August to December 2027 requires you to be in Washington, D.C.
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed first against the stated requirements and the strength and feasibility of the proposed research
- Shortlisted candidates take part in phone screen interviews from 7 to 18 December 2026
- The programme and final panel review runs through January and February 2027
- Selection and invitations are issued on 16 February 2027, with the acceptance deadline on 23 February 2027
- Scholars are chosen for their professional experience, their understanding of their own communities, and their commitment to advancing gender equality in and through education
- The cohort then begins with the research design retreat in April 2027
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- DIW Berlin Graduate Center Fully Funded PhD in Economics, 2027 Intake
DIW Berlin has opened applications for its 2027 doctoral intake, a five year economics PhD in Berlin with no tuition fees, a 1,650 Euro monthly stipend during the course year and paid research department employment for years two to five.
Questions applicants ask
Who is this fellowship for?
Mid-career leaders from the Global South who have at least ten years of professional experience in research, academia, non-governmental or community organisations, civil society or government, and who are working on gender equality in and through education. A master’s degree or higher is required.
Can Nigerians and other Africans apply?
Yes. The fellowship is aimed at professionals with substantial experience in, ties to and a clear intent to return to a country in the Global South, and the alumni network already includes scholars working across Africa, Asia and the Americas. The published call does not list qualifying country by country, so applicants with an unusual situation should confirm directly with the programme team at globalechidna@brookings.edu.
What does the funding cover?
A total stipend of US$26,500 for living costs across the pre-residency and residency periods, plus round-trip travel, single-occupancy housing for the four month residency, the visa process costs, the April 2027 research design retreat expenses, and a limited health insurance plan. The stipend is subject to United States tax withholding.
How long is the fellowship and when does it run?
It is a six month fellowship. The research design retreat takes place in April 2027, pre-residency work in your home country starts around 15 June 2027 at roughly 15 to 20 hours a week, and the residency runs full-time at Brookings in Washington, D.C. from August to December 2027. Post-residency support continues through 2028 and 2029.
What do I have to submit?
A cover letter, a curriculum vitae, the application questionnaire, and a three to five page proposal for your own research project on improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women and gender non-conforming people in your country.
Do I need a visa, and is it guaranteed?
You must obtain a J-1 visa to take up the residency. The Center for Universal Education covers the costs of the visa process and supports you through it, but it cannot guarantee visa issuance, approval of immigration status or admission to the United States.
Is this a job at Brookings?
No. It is a short-term visiting fellowship. The stipend and covered expenses are separate from the compensation and benefits that come with regular employment at Brookings.
When do applications close?
Applications for the 2027 cohort close on 1 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Submit through the official Brookings application page rather than waiting, since phone screens begin on 7 December 2026.
What happens after the residency?
Scholars join the Echidna Alumni Network, take part in the Gender Equality in and through Education Research and Policy Symposium, and receive support through 2028 and 2029 to turn their findings into an impact project at home. Some are invited to apply for seed funding for that project.
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