Echidna Global Scholars Program-The Brookings Institution invites applications from scholars around the world for Echidna Global Scholars Program 2026 – an opportunity to pursue a fully funded research project of four to six months at Brookings in USA. The Brookings Institution Echidna Global Scholars Program is a visiting fellowship hosted by the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at the Brookings Institution.
The structure of the Program is divided into two main components to assist the scholars in having an impact when returning to their home countries: research on global education issues and leadership training. The program aims to build the research and analytical skills of NGO leaders and academics who have substantial experience and ties to developing countries.
Scholarship Type: Full Funding
Host Institution(s): Brookings Institution, USA.
Scholarship Worth: Full funding + living stipend of USD $5,000.
Number of Awards: Not stated.
Study level: Postgraduate
Nationality: Non-USA applicants
USA Brookings Institution Qualifications and Requirements
The Program selects professionals with substantial experience in and ties to the Global South, with a clear intent to return to the Global South after completing the period of residency at Brookings.
Applicants must have a passion and demonstrated commitment to improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women, and gender non-conforming people in and through education.
Applicants should have a background in education, development, economics, or a related area, with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in either research/academia, non-government and civil society, government, or business.
Education: Master’s degree required; Ph.D. or research background strongly preferred.
Knowledge/Skills Requirements: Strong analytical and writing skills. Successful applicants will have an intimate understanding of education development issues and gender.
Echidna Global Scholars Program 2026 | BENEFITS
Applicants selected for the fellowship will receive;
A stipend totaling $22,500 USD to support living costs during the pre-residency and residency periods (subject to U.S. tax withholding and reporting).
In addition, CUE will cover the costs associated with the visa process, single-occupancy housing for the three-and-a-half-month residency period, round-trip travel expenses, and a limited health insurance plan.
Please note that this position is a short-term full-time resident fellowship at Brookings (it is not an employee position).
Application Procedures
How-to-Apply: Interested candidates should proceed to apply online and submit a cover letter and CV or resume as one document when you apply. Ensure that you upload the following initial application materials;
A cover letter that explains how the program will impact your life and the lives of your community, and your goals and intent for the program, along with your 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. Please submit a cover letter and CV or resume as one document when you apply, as instructed.
The completed Echidna Global Scholars Program Application. (Click on the hyperlink to access the document and upload it in the “Writing sample” section.
NOTE:
Documents must be saved with a format of Last Name, First Name, and document name (for example: Doe_Jane_CV).
Letters of recommendation, writing samples, and transcripts are NOT required. Please upload the Questionnaire and Research Project Proposal in the Writing Sample section.
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026.
More Details at the Official Website
FAQs
1. What is the Echidna Global Scholars Program?
The Echidna Global Scholars Program is a six-month visiting fellowship hosted by the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., USA. It supports mid-career leaders from the Global South who are working to improve learning opportunities, gender equality, and life outcomes for girls, young women, and gender-nonconforming people through research, policy engagement, and leadership development.
2. Who is eligible to apply for the 2026 fellowship?
To be eligible, applicants typically must:
Be from and intend to return to a country in the Global South.
Hold at least a Master’s degree (or higher) in education, development, public policy, economics, or a related field.
Have at least 10+ years of professional experience in research, policy, academia, NGOs, community organisations, or government focused on education and gender issues.
Demonstrate proficiency in English.
Applications are most competitive when focused on strengthening education systems and gender equality in specific regional or crisis contexts.
3. What materials are required, and how do I apply?
Applicants must submit the following through the official Brookings iCIMS application portal:
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume detailing education, work experience, publications, and professional achievements.
A completed application form, including a written questionnaire and a research proposal designed to increase evidence and impact for gender-transformative education in the applicant’s context.
Letters of recommendation, transcripts, and writing samples beyond the proposal are not required at the initial application stage.
4. When is the application deadline, and what is the timeline?
🗓️ Application Deadline: December 15, 2026
📞 Interviews: January–February 2026
✔️ Selection & Notification: March 6–20, 2026
📅 Fellowship Period: June 15 to mid-December 2026
Selected scholars participate in pre-residency work in their home countries, followed by a residency in Washington, D.C., then two years of post-residency support and alumni engagement after the program concludes.