StudyDesk Scholarships
About the scholarship
The Echidna Global Scholars Program at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Universal Education brings mid-career professionals working on girls’ education and gender equity in the Global South to Washington D.C. for a four-month visiting fellowship (August–December 2027). Scholars pursue an independent research project with Brookings support, and the programme is explicitly designed for people who will return to their home country and drive change there.
The package is genuinely fully funded: a USD 26,500 stipend (subject to US tax withholding), single-occupancy housing during the DC residency, round-trip travel, visa-process costs, an all-expenses kickoff research-design retreat, and a limited health insurance plan.
Eligibility
- Substantial experience in, ties to, and a clear intent to return to a country in the Global South.
- A professional background in education, development, public policy, economics or a related social-sciences/humanities area.
- A master’s degree or higher is required.
- At least 10 years of professional experience in research/academia, NGOs, community or civil-society organisations, or government.
- Demonstrated proficiency in English (an objective assessment applies if US visa sponsorship is required).
Benefits
- USD 26,500 stipend for the fellowship period (subject to US tax withholding).
- Single-occupancy housing in Washington D.C. during the four-month residency.
- Round-trip travel to and from D.C. plus visa-application costs.
- A kickoff and research-design retreat in April 2027, covered by the programme.
- Limited health insurance for the fellowship period and access to Brookings’ research resources and networks.
Documents required
- Cover letter and CV (education, professional experience, publications, fellowships, honours, funded research).
- The completed Echidna application: written questionnaire plus a 3–5-page research proposal.
- Not required at the initial stage: recommendation letters, writing samples and transcripts — these come later in the process.
How to apply
- Prepare the initial packageDraft your cover letter, CV, answers to the questionnaire and a focused 3–5-page research proposal on a girls’-education or gender-equity problem you want to research.
- Apply through BrookingsSubmit via the official Brookings application system by 1 December 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
- Plan the fellowship phasesIf selected: the kickoff research-design retreat in April 2027, the pre-residency from 15 June 2027, then the Washington D.C. residency from August to December 2027.
FAQs
Not at the initial stage — recommendation letters, writing samples and transcripts are explicitly not required until later in the selection process.
No — it is subject to US tax withholding, so budget accordingly.
The programme requires at least 10 years of professional experience, so it is aimed at mid-career professionals rather than early-career applicants.
Yes — the residency runs August–December 2027 in Washington D.C., with single-occupancy housing provided; a pre-residency starts 15 June 2027.
Scholars are expected to return to their Global South home country with their research — intent to return is an eligibility condition.
Verified 21 Oct 2026 via the Brookings Echidna programme page (deadline 1 Dec 2026 11:59pm EST; USD 26,500 stipend; housing, travel, visa costs, retreat, limited health insurance; eligibility conditions; initial-stage document list; fellowship phases). The single official source lists every fact stated; no aggregator claim was used for facts not confirmed there.
