Echidna Global Scholar

Overview

The Echidna Global Scholars Program’s Visiting Fellowship is hosted by the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., USA. The Echidna Global Scholars Program aims to accelerate systemic change for gender equality in and through education by strengthening leadership and ecosystems to drive lasting impact at local, regional and global levels. As the first stage of the program, the Visiting Fellowship brings selected Scholars to Brookings, where they conduct individual research, develop their leadership and evidence-based policy skills, build substantive knowledge on gender and global education issues, and expand their pathways for impact.

The Fellowship consists of four phases:

Kickoff and research design retreat (April 2027): Sets the basis for the research training, leadership, and strategic impact components of the program. Time commitment is one week, during which the scholars will meet with the CUE Gender Equality in and through Education (GEE) team in person to refine their research proposal, identifying a policy problem, designing a research study, and planning their data collection.

Pre-residency (June-July 2027): With the support of the CUE GEE team, 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 concepts and tools that will be the focus of the leadership development program throughout the Fellowship and begin developing an impact strategy, identifying and engaging with local actors. Time commitment is roughly 15-20 hours a week during this phase.

Residency (August-December 2027): The residency period in Washington, D.C. focuses primarily on clarifying Scholars’ focus and expanding their reach and impact. The residency phase is designed to support Scholars as they strengthen skills and practices for analyzing, communicating, and leveraging research for policy contexts and key audiences and engage in a reflective and individualized leadership development program. The residency also seeks to expand Scholars’ networks and promote visibility through Brookings convenings and strategic collaborations. Over the course of the residency, Scholars will engage in analysis of data collected during the pre-residency phase and will work closely with the CUE GEE team to translate their research into an action-oriented policy brief and strategic commentaries, which will be published and disseminated on Brookings’s multimedia platforms.

Post-residency (2028-2029): During the post-residency, scholars will participate in the Gender Equality in and through Education Research and Policy Symposium. Over the two-year period following residency, the CUE team provides intentional support to alumni as they translate their research into action through the implementation of impact projects in their home countries. Through impact planning, strategic advisement and leadership development work, CUE supports scholars as they leverage the knowledge, skills, and connections built throughout the Fellowship to catalyze change in their contexts.

In addition, upon completion of the residency, scholars transition into the Echidna Global Scholars Alumni Network (EGSAN), a growing network of educators, researchers, community leaders and policy influencers grounded in diverse lived experiences and united by a shared commitment to gender equality in and through education. The network is a dynamic space that drives collaborative research, shared learning, regional and global convenings, and collective action to advance systemic transformation globally, regionally and locally. Since its inception in 2012, the Echidna Global Scholars Program has hosted fifteen cohorts of fellows and supports an alumni network of over 50 scholars working in more than 25 different countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

About the Center for Universal Education

The Center for Universal Education (CUE) aims to transform education systems, so they are adaptable and responsive, ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, develops the skills they need to thrive. For over two decades, CUE has worked in partnership with educators, policymakers, communities, young people, and others across the globe to advance research, develop practical tools, and create spaces and mechanisms for sustained dialogue, transformative learning, and cohesive action in support of inclusive, equitable, high-quality, and contextually relevant learning.

The Echidna Global Scholars Program is part of CUE’s broader efforts to catalyze and sustain collaborative action to achieve relevant, inclusive, and equitable learning for all, seeking to build the evidence base on policies and practices supporting gender equality in and through education in countries throughout the Global South. Given the Echidna Global Scholars’ understanding of the complex dynamics within their own communities, they are often best suited to craft strategies and solutions that address context-specific barriers and engage local decision-makers to transform systems for long-term change. To that end, the research and impact projects of the Echidna Global Scholars contribute to an important process of evidence-informed systems transformation and policy development. The transformative learning and professional development they experience during the Fellowship helps to strengthen leadership for gender equality in and through education around the world

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Once selected to participate in the Fellowship, Echidna Global Scholars will participate in a Kickoff and Research Design in-person retreat before they spend approximately two months in pre-residency, working remotely from their home countries, followed by four months in residency at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. During this time, Scholars will work with the team to complete a uniquely developed research project and strategy for policy impact designed to increase the evidence base on gender equality in and through education and strengthen ecosystem to drive lasting impact at local, regional, and global levels. sin their countries.

Following their time in residence in Washington, D.C., Scholars will be supported in the implementation of activities in their local context that build on the findings of their research. Scholars will also have the opportunity to participate in ongoing collaborative and research activities as part of the Alumni Network.

The Fellowship is a full-time, exclusive commitment during the residency period (roughly 40 hours/week) and a substantial part-time commitment during the pre-residency period (roughly 15-20 hours/week). The Program expects Echidna Global Scholars to:

• Conduct professional, in-depth research, write an evidence-based policy paper, and present their research and policy recommendations at Brookings organized events.
• Participate in individual and collective capacity strengthening and sharing activities, including the leadership development program, as well as individual and group workshops and reflections.
• Develop a post-residency project proposal with the intent of expanding the impact of their research upon returning to their home country.
• Interact professionally with other Brookings scholars and community members and be active participants in Brookings events (organizational meetings, informal discussions, seminars, presentations, private and public events).
• Engage with key actors from the extended research, practice, and policy community within their home countries, in and around Washington, D.C., and globally, by participating in additional meetings and conferences, and networking with the broader education, gender, and global development community.

Qualifications

Qualifications Education/Experience Requirements:

The Program selects professionals with substantial experience in and ties to the Global South, a clear intent to return to the Global South after completing the period of residency at Brookings, and a passion and demonstrated commitment to advancing gender equality in and through education.

Applicants should have a background in education, gender and/or women’s studies, international or global development, public policy, economics, or a related social sciences or humanities area, with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in research/academia, non-governmental, community or civil society organizations, or government. Candidates with experience in both academic or government settings and community organizations are especially encouraged to apply.

A Master’s degree is required.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Successful applicants will have an in-depth understanding of education, development, and gender issues, strong analytical and writing skills, the ability to care for and collaborate with others, openness to give and receive feedback, and the capacity and desire to learn with speed and flexibility.

All Echidna Global Scholars must demonstrate proficiency in English.

Additional Information

Benefits: Please note that this position is a short-term fellowship at Brookings (it is not an employee position). 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 U.S. tax withholding and reporting). In addition, CUE will cover the costs associated with the visa process, costs associated with the kick-off and research design retreat, single-occupancy housing for the 4-month residency period, round-trip travel expenses, and a limited health insurance plan.

Program Requirements: Echidna Global Scholars must be able to participate fully in the pre-residency activities (15-20 hours/week), including the completion of pre-arrival data collection, and be available for a full-time, on-site affiliation with the Brookings Institution for the entire duration of the residency.

Term of Program: The research project must take place within a 6-month timeframe of pre-residency and residency work. Data collection and initial analysis must be completed by the scholar at home prior to the start of the residency at Brookings in Washington, D.C. Analysis and writing must be completed during the residency. The fellowship will include a research kick off and research design retreat in April, 2027 and begin on or around June 15, 2027, and end in mid-December 2027. Scholars must also participate in the leadership development component throughout the program, including pre-residency components. Scholars may be invited to apply for seed funding to implement an impact project based on their research findings after the residency. Please note that the timeframe of this Fellowship will not be changed.

Visa Matters: Echidna Global Scholars must obtain a J-1 visa before the Scholar participates in the program’s residency period. Brookings cannot guarantee the issuance of a visa, attainment of visa status, or admittance into the U.S. Brookings will provide support to the Scholar during the visa process, but has no control over the visa process or any travel restrictions enacted by the U.S. government, including but not limited to whether a timely visa interview appointment can be scheduled and/or changes in legislation that would prevent the scholar from entering the U.S.

How to Apply

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

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.

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.

Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates selected for interviews may be asked to submit additional materials and provide references. Incomplete applications and any applications received after the deadline will not be considered. If you require visa sponsorship to participate in this fellowship program, your English proficiency will be verified via an objective assessment as required by the U.S. Department of State.

Timing and Application Deadlines:

• Application deadline: Sunday, December 6, 2026 at 11:59pm EST

• Phone screen interviews: December 7-18, 2026

• Program and final panel: January and February 2027

• Selection and invitations sent: February 16, 2027

• Acceptance date: February 23, 2027

• Kickoff and research design retreat: April 2027 (TBD)

• Fellowship - pre-residency start date: June 15, 2027

• Fellowship - residency in Washington, D.C.: August-December 2027

There will be an information session for all prospective applicants on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 8-9 am ET. Please register for the session through the following link: [https://brookings.zoom.us/j/81876641658?pwd=yQG7RJqg85GkiaXLK8uaCoLw9zyOQe.1]