🎓 Become an Echidna Global Scholar (2026) — Fully Funded Visiting Fellowship

Are you passionate about gender equality and education reform in the Global South? The Echidna Global Scholars Visiting Fellowship offers a unique chance to deepen your impact through research, leadership training, and global networks.

Application deadline: December 15, 2025
Duration: 6 months (2 months remote + 4 months in Washington, D.C.)
Stipend & Benefits: Fully funded — travel, housing, visa, health insurance covered

🏛️ What Is the Echidna Global Scholars Program?

Hosted by the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at the Brookings Institution, this fellowship is designed to empower mid-career leaders from the Global South. Scholars engage in deep research on gender-transformative education, refine evidence-based policy skills, and grow in leadership capacity.

Since 2012, the program has built a global network of alumni working to improve educational outcomes for girls, young women, and gender-nonconforming individuals. (Brookings)

📅 Structure & Timeline

Phase Location Activities

Pre-Residency (≈ 2 months) Home country (remote) Collect data, connect with local stakeholders, attend virtual workshops, refine research proposal

Residency (≈ 4 months) Washington, D.C. Analyze, write policy briefs, present findings, participate in leadership seminars and Brookings events

Post-Residency (2 years support) Back to home country Implement impact projects, engage via the Echidna Alumni Network for continued guidance.

The typical fellowship schedule runs from mid-June to mid-December.

💰 What Is Covered (Benefits)

Fellows selected for the program receive:

• A stipend (~USD 26,500) to support both pre-residency and residency periods (subject to U.S. tax rules)

• Roundtrip travel between home country and Washington, D.C.

• Visa costs covered (J-1 visa support)

• Single-occupancy housing in D.C. for the 4-month residency period

• Limited health insurance for the residency period

✅ Who Is Eligible?

You may be a strong candidate if you:

• Are from a Global South country, with plans to return home after the fellowship

• Hold at least a Master’s degree

• Possess 10+ years of professional experience in education, public policy, international development, gender studies, or related areas

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to improving learning and life outcomes for girls, young women, or gender-nonconforming people

• Have excellent English proficiency coupled with analytical, writing, and collaboration skills

Applicants who have not previously focused on gender equality may still apply — but should explain how they plan to integrate that focus into their future work.

📝 Application Steps & Tips

1. Prepare your CV or resume, including publications, awards, prior fellowships.

2. Fill out the online application, including a questionnaire and 3–5 page research proposal.

3. No letters of recommendation or transcripts are required at initial stage.

4. Only shortlisted candidates may be asked for additional materials or references.

Pro tip: Tailor your research proposal to a region or context you know well; ground it in local challenges so the impact is meaningful.

📌 Why This Fellowship Matters

• It bridges local insight with global influence — scholars bring context-specific knowledge to a global policy arena.

• Builds research, policy, and leadership capacities that equip fellows to act as change agents.

• Entry into a vibrant alumni network (Echidna Alumni Network) that fosters collaboration, shared learning, and joint impact projects.

📅 Important Dates & Deadlines

• Application deadline: December 15, 2025

• Fellowship period: approx. June 15 – December (6 months)

• Interviews are usually held January–February; announcements in early March.