2026–2027 Early Childhood Development in Crisis Research Fellowship

The Moving Minds Alliance has opened applications for the 2026–2027 Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Crisis Research Fellowship, a program designed to support early-career researchers in the Global South who are studying the needs of young children affected by crisis, conflict, or displacement.

The fellowship supports research focusing on children aged 0–8 years and their caregivers living in humanitarian contexts. Selected fellows will join a global research community while conducting locally relevant research that contributes to improving policies and programs for children in crisis situations.

The program is implemented through the MMA Research Forum on Young Children in Emergencies, which connects researchers and practitioners working in early childhood development across humanitarian settings.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive several forms of support during the 12-month fellowship period, including:

• A one-time research stipend of US$5,000 to support research activities
• Participation in a global community of practice focused on early childhood development in crisis settings
• Access to mentorship from experienced researchers
• Opportunities to present findings through webinars, research events, and global knowledge-sharing platforms
• Dissemination of research through the MMA network and the Research Forum on Young Children in Emergencies

Mentors will be matched to fellows based on research interest, geographic focus, and cultural context.

Research Theme

The theme for the 2026–2027 fellowship cohort is:

Early Childhood Development in Crisis and Displacement

Priority will be given to research that explores policy and advocacy for early childhood development (ECD) in crisis contexts, though other topics aligned with the overall theme may also be considered.

Research may focus on issues such as:

• Policy research on early childhood development in emergencies
• Child-friendly policies for climate-related disasters
• Programmatic interventions supporting young children and caregivers during displacement
• Post-disaster reconstruction and recovery strategies for ECD services

The fellowship seeks research that addresses gaps in knowledge and contributes to stronger systems supporting children in humanitarian settings.

Research Context

The need for research in this area is significant. According to global estimates, approximately 520 million children live in conflict zones, and millions are born into humanitarian crises each year. During emergencies, access to critical early childhood services—including health care, nutrition, safe learning environments, and caregiver support—often becomes disrupted or unavailable.

Despite strong evidence that early stimulation, responsive caregiving, and safe learning environments are essential during crises, early childhood development programs remain underfunded and underprioritized in many humanitarian response plans.

This fellowship aims to generate new research that can influence policy, humanitarian programming, and funding priorities for young children affected by crises.

Research Expectations

Fellows are expected to carry out rigorous and contextually relevant research in their country or region.

Research projects should:

• Be original and creative, though they may build on existing work
• Use sound research methods
• Be conducted in countries within the Global South
• Address knowledge gaps related to ECD in crisis settings

Projects may include:

Primary Research

Researchers may conduct qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method studies addressing key components of the Nurturing Care Framework, including:

• Responsive caregiving
• Safety and security for children
• Opportunities for early learning
• Health and nutrition
• Mental health and wellbeing for children and caregivers

Secondary Data Analysis

Applicants may also analyze existing national or sub-national datasets related to early childhood development in emergency contexts to generate new insights.

Fellows will be expected to share research methods and findings with the Research Forum community and eventually produce a research publication, brief, or report.

The final research output must be submitted by early May 2027.

Eligibility and Fellow Profile

The fellowship seeks applicants who:

• Were born in, live in, or have worked in countries affected by crisis
• Have experience in research or research analysis
• Are early-career researchers, though applicants at other stages may also apply
• Have strong connections with local communities or organizations serving young children
• Are willing to engage regularly with mentors and participate in research learning events

Eligible applicants may include:

• Students
• Independent researchers
• NGO or civil society practitioners
• Professionals working in community initiatives or grassroots programs

The program encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Originality: Does the research address a key gap in the field?
• Policy and program relevance: Can findings inform humanitarian programs or policy development?
• Alignment with fellowship themes
• Feasibility within the 12-month timeline
• Geographic relevance

Priority for this fellowship cohort will be given to applicants from:

• Arab region
• Asia-Pacific region
• South America

However, applications from African countries are strongly encouraged.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A research proposal including:
  • Proposed research topic and title
  • Study location
  • Target population and estimated sample size
  • One to three research questions
  • Research methodology
  • Plan for including voices of affected children, caregivers, or communities
• A brief CV (maximum two pages)

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted through the official application portal by 31 March 2026.

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview to discuss possible refinements to their research proposal.

All applications must be submitted in English, although the research itself may be conducted in another language if need be.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the fellowship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.