Deadline: December 1, 2022.

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 equality in and through 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 non-conforming 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.

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, D.C.): Scholars focus on expanding reach and impact through publication and dissemination of their research on Brookings’s 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 the girls’ education research and policy symposium.
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 advisement, 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.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

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 intent to return to a country in the Global South.
• Background in education, development, public policy, economics, or a related 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 education 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.

BENEFITS

• Applicants selected for the Fellowship will receive a stipend totaling $22,500 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, single-occupancy housing for the three-and-a-half-month residency period, round-trip travel expenses, and a limited health insurance plan.  

APPLICATION

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

1. A cover letter that explains how the program will impact your life and the lives of your community, and your goals and intent for the program, along with your 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. Please submit cover letter and CV or resume as one document when you apply, as instructed. 
2. The completed Echidna Global Scholars Program Application. (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).  

OFFICIAL LINK