Echidna Global Scholars Program 2026 for Education Leaders

Are you a mid-career professional passionate about advancing girls’ education, gender-transformative policy, or educational equity in your country? The Echidna Global Scholars Program 2026, hosted by the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution, offers a fully funded fellowship designed to elevate leaders like you.

Over six months, the programme equips participants with advanced research tools, leadership training, and a global platform to amplify their impact on education reform and gender equity.

Programme Overview

The Echidna Global Scholars Programme unfolds in three interconnected stages, offering fellows an immersive and transformative experience:

1. Pre-Residency (Home Country Phase)
   Before travelling to Washington, D.C., selected scholars begin their research from home. This stage involves collecting data, consulting local stakeholders, conducting virtual workshops, and shaping an actionable impact strategy tailored to their country’s educational context.
2. Residency (Washington, D.C.)
   Scholars then move to Washington, D.C., for several months of intensive research and leadership development. They work closely with experts at Brookings, refine their policy papers, and present their findings to international audiences. The residency offers world-class mentorship, professional visibility, and an invaluable opportunity to build relationships with global education and development leaders.
3. Post-Residency (Home Country Implementation)
   After the residency, scholars return home to implement their projects and policy recommendations. For two years, they receive ongoing advisory and leadership support while remaining part of the Echidna Alumni Network — a community of over 50 global education innovators driving systemic change across the Global South.

Who Can Apply

The programme targets mid-career professionals who have demonstrated strong leadership in education, gender equality, or policy reform. Eligible candidates should:

• Have at least 10 years of professional experience in education, public policy, civil society, or development sectors.
• Hold a Master’s degree or higher (PhD or strong research experience is an advantage).
• Demonstrate a proven commitment to improving learning outcomes and opportunities for girls and young women.
• Be citizens or residents of a country in the Global South, with plans to return and apply their learning after the fellowship.
• Possess excellent written and spoken English, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively in an international setting.

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Benefits of the Programme

Selected scholars receive full financial and professional support, including:

• A stipend covering living expenses during both the pre-residency and residency phases.
• Travel, visa, housing, and health insurance are fully funded for the duration of the fellowship.
• Leadership development and mentoring, focused on policy design, communication, and advocacy.
• Access to global networks of policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners.
• Publication opportunities through Brookings’ global platforms to showcase their research and recommendations.
• Post-fellowship advisory support for implementing impact projects at home.

Why the Programme Matters

The Echidna Global Scholars Programme goes beyond academic research; it builds the capacity of leaders who transform education systems from within.

• It offers a global platform for visibility, allowing scholars’ work to influence key policy debates.
• It focuses on local-to-global impact, empowering participants to apply their findings in real communities.
• It fosters collaboration and shared learning among scholars tackling similar challenges across regions.
• It strengthens gender equity in education, amplifying voices that often go unheard in policy spaces.

Since its launch, the Echidna Global Scholars Programme has produced dozens of education reformers whose work continues to shape national and regional education policies, from advancing girls’ access to schooling to improving teacher training and curriculum inclusivity.

Application Process and Timeline

The 2026 fellowship will open for applications in early October 2025 and closes on December 15, 2025. Interested candidates are expected to submit:

• A comprehensive CV and cover letter.
• A 3–5 page research proposal focusing on a key education and gender equity challenge within their country.
• A statement of motivation outlining how they intend to use the fellowship to drive impact after returning home.

Proposals should present actionable, evidence-based solutions that can influence national or regional policy. The selection process is competitive and based on merit, leadership potential, and commitment to driving measurable change.

The Echidna Global Scholars Program 2026 represents an opportunity for passionate education leaders across the Global South to refine their research, strengthen their leadership, and contribute meaningfully to global policy conversations.

Beyond the residency, scholars return home as catalysts for change, ready to translate knowledge into action, empower communities, and advance gender-transformative education reform.

For education leaders with a heart for impact, this fellowship is not just an opportunity; it’s a calling.

APPLY FOR THE ECHIDNA GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM