Echidna Global Scholars Program at Brookings Institution 2026

The Echidna Global Scholars Program at the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at Brookings seeks to catalyze and amplify the impact of local leaders working to advance  gender-transformative education  across the Global South.

During a six-month fellowship, Echidna Global Scholars conduct individual research focused on improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women, and gender-nonconforming people, develop their leadership and evidence-based policy skills, build substantive knowledge on gender and global education issues, and expand their pathways for impact. Upon completion of the fellowship, scholars transition to the Echidna Alumni Network, a growing community of practice aimed at promoting their significant, sustained, and collective influence on gender-transformative education globally and locally.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirments
• Interview Process
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineDecember 15, 2025
• Study LevelMasters , PhD
• SponsorBrookings Institution

Benefits

Applicants selected for the Fellowship will receive a stipend totaling $26,500 USD to support living costs during the pre-residency and residency periods (subject to US tax with holding and reporting).

Requirements

Echidna Global Scholars entering the fellowship are mid-career leaders with experience in and a demonstrated commitment to improving learning opportunities and life outcomes for girls, young women, and gender non-conforming people in and through education in the Global South.

Specific criteria for eligibility:

• Substantial experience in, ties to, and a clear intention to return to a country in the Global South.
• Background in education, development, public policy, economics, or a related social sciences or humanities area; a Master's degree (or higher) is required.
• 10+ years of professional experience in research/academia, nongovernmental, community, or civil society organizations, or government.
• An intimate understanding of educational development issues and gender.
• Ability to collaborate with others, openness to give and receive feedback, and capacity and desire to learn with speed and flexibility.
• All Echidna Global Scholars must demonstrate proficiency in English.

Selection Process

The Echidna Global Scholars fellowship consists of three distinct phases:

1. Pre-residency (in home country): With the support from the Center for Universal Education (CUE), scholars begin an intensive period of in-country data collection and analysis, accompanied by a series of virtual workshops, group working meetings, and individual advisory sessions. Scholars are introduced to the leadership concepts and tools that will be the focus of the leadership development program throughout the fellowship and begin developing their impact strategy—identifying and engaging with local stakeholders from their home country.
2. Residency (Washington, DC): Scholars focus on expanding reach and impact through publication and dissemination of their research on Brookings' multimedia platforms, strategic impact capacity building, leadership development, and networking. The residency phase is designed to help scholars strengthen their impact by teaching best practices for analyzing, communicating, and leveraging research for policy and key audiences, as well as expanding scholars' networks and promoting visibility through Brookings convenings and strategic collaborations—culminating in a virtual symposium on gender equality in and through education research and policy.
3. Post-residency (in home country): During the two-year post-residency period, the CUE team provides targeted support to alumni as they implement impact plans that build off their research. Through strategic advice, group working meetings, and leadership development support, scholars leverage the knowledge, skills, and connections built throughout the fellowship to catalyze change in their local contexts.

Application Timeline:

• Application deadline: December 15, 2025
• Interviews: January and February 2026
• Selection date: March 6, 2026
• Acceptance date: March 20, 2026
• Fellowship start date: June 15, 2026

Application Documents

All applications must be submitted through the iCIMS application system. Initial application materials must include:

1. A  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.
2. The completed  Echidna Global Scholars Program Application  which includes both a written questionnaire and a research proposal. Click on hyperlink to access document and upload in the “Writing sample” section. Documents must be saved with a format of Last Name_First Name_document name (for example: Doe_Jane_CV).

Note that letters of recommendation, writing samples, and transcripts are NOT required.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more details, visit Echidna Global Scholars Program webpage