Are you a mid-career professional deeply passionate about advancing girls’ education, yet unsure how to scale your impact globally? If you’ve been searching for a platform that helps you conduct rigorous research, develop policy-ready insights, and connect with decision-makers the Echidna Global Scholars Program at the Brookings Institution offers exactly that. This six-month fellowship empowers leaders from the Global South to design and implement gender-transformative solutions for girls, young women and gender-nonconforming people in education. In this blog post, you’ll discover who can apply, what’s required, the benefits, deadlines and how to submit your application all clearly laid out so you can act now.
What is the Echidna Global Scholars Program?
The Echidna Global Scholars Program is a visiting fellowship hosted by the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at Brookings.
Key features include:
- A six-month fellowship combining remote (pre-residency) work and an on-site residency in Washington, D.C.
- Research focus: improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women and gender-nonconforming people in the Global South.
- Leadership development and networking with global education policy makers.
- Transition into a sustained alumni network the Echidna Alumni Network after completion.
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-Residency | Remote research/data-collection in home country, virtual workshops |
| Residency | On-site in Washington, D.C., writing, networking, policy dissemination |
| Post-Residency | Implementation phase, alumni network participation, longitudinal impact |
Who Can Apply?
If you’re wondering whether the Echidna Global Scholars Program is right for you, check the eligibility criteria below:
Key requirements:
- Significant professional experience (minimum ~10 years) in education, gender/women’s studies, international development, public policy, economics or related social sciences/humanities.
- A Master’s degree (or higher) in a relevant field.
- Strong ties to a country in the Global South, and a demonstrated intent to return and apply learnings in that context.
- English proficiency, strong analytical & writing skills, collaborative mindset.
Priority areas:
The program gives special consideration to applicants from West Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and Middle East & North Africa — especially those working in conflict-affected or crisis regions, on issues like child marriage, early childbearing, or marginalized youth.
In short: If you are a leader from the Global South with deep experience in gender and education issues, this program could be a perfect fit.
What the Fellowship Offers
This fellowship is not just a badge — it’s a launching pad for change. Here’s what you get:
- A fully-funded stipend supporting living costs during both pre-residency and residency phases.
- Single-occupancy housing for the residency in Washington, D.C., plus round-trip travel and limited health insurance
- The chance to conduct independent policy-relevant research, publish and present your work via Brookings platforms.
- Leadership development workshops, networking with global education experts, policy-impact opportunities.
- Entry into the Echidna Alumni Network, enabling sustained collective influence on gender-transformative education.
Benefits at a glance
- Fully-funded six-month fellowship
- Research + leadership development
- Policy platform & global network
- Implementation support via alumni network
Application Timeline & Deadline
Timing is important. Here’s the key deadline you must note:
- Application Deadline: December 15, 2025 for the 2026 visiting fellowship.
- Virtual info session: October 22 at 8:00 a.m. EDT (prior to deadline) for prospective applicants.
- Prior cycles show interviews, selection dates and fellowship start dates follow after the deadline.
Don’t wait for the last minute — plan your application, book the info session, and gather documents early.
Requirements for Application
To build a strong application for the Echidna Global Schars Program, you’ll need the following:
Mandatory materials:
- CV or resume including your education, professional experience, publications, honors and funded research.
- Completed online application which includes a written questionnaire plus a 3-5 page research proposal.
Optional/enhanced elements (recommended):
- Clearly articulate your context: your country/region’s challenges in girls’ education, and how your project will address them.
- Show evidence of your leadership and capacity to produce policy-relevant work.
- Demonstrate your commitment to returning and making impact in your home country.
- Use strong, clear, evidence-based language.
Important procedural notes:
- Submit via the Brookings online portal (iCIMS).
- Letters of recommendation and transcripts are not required (though you may include if you wish).
- Ensure all parts submitted by the deadline; incomplete or late applications won’t be considered.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step
- Register for the info session (to clarify queries and learn tips).
- Review your eligibility: ensure you meet the experience, degree, and regional criteria.
- Download the application package: questionnaire + research proposal format (from Brookings website).
- Draft your research proposal: Identify a compelling problem in girls’ or gender-inclusive education in your region, propose evidence-based solutions, show impact potential.
- Prepare your CV/resume: Highlight your experience in gender/education work, leadership roles, impact.
- Submit online via the Brookings portal before the deadline.
- Prepare for possible interview: if selected, you may be interviewed during the next phase.
- If selected, begin pre-residency work remotely and plan for your residency in Washington, D.C.
Why This Fellowship Matters (and Why You Should Apply)
- Amplify your impact: Through the fellowship you gain access to global platforms, policy-makers, and other leaders in gender-transformative education.
- Build your expertise: The program supports you to produce high‐quality research that can shape policy in your country.
- Leadership growth: Beyond research, you develop skills in strategic impact, leadership, dissemination — skills that last a career.
- Network & alumni support: Joining the Echidna Alumni Network gives you ongoing community, collaboration, and visibility.
- Fully-funded & accessible: With costs covered and support provided, you can focus on your work not worrying about logistics.
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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the duration of the Echidna Global Scholars Program?
A1: The fellowship lasts six months: a pre-residency portion (remote), then a residency in Washington D.C., followed by post-residency alumni support.
Q2: Is the program fully funded?
A2: Yes — the fellowship covers a stipend, housing, travel, and limited health insurance for the residency period
Q3: Can applicants from any country apply?
A3: Applicants from across the Global South are eligible, though priority is given to regions like West Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America & Caribbean, Middle East & North Africa.
Q4: What fields of study or professional backgrounds are required?
A4: Applicants should have a background in education, gender/women’s studies, international development, public policy, economics or related social sciences/humanities, and at least a Master’s degree.
Q5: What is the deadline to apply?
A5: For the 2026 visiting fellowship cycle, the deadline is December 15, 2025.