Overview

The 2026 Samuel Fellows in Belonging program supports individuals from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with partner organisations globally on projects strengthening belonging and social connectedness. This is an 8-month, bursary-supported applied research fellowship, not an employment opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

Collaborate with global partner organizations on issues of belonging, social justice, and community-building.
Conduct applied research influencing policy, education, health, urban design, and community resilience.
Engage in thought leadership and advocacy.
Produce a final public-facing output (report, essay, creative output).
Develop and execute a dissemination plan.

Requirements

Strong passion for building inclusive and connected communities.
Curiosity about research and social connectedness frameworks.
Alignment with specific project themes through research, practice, or lived experience.
Strong English writing and communication skills.
Capacity to independently manage an applied research project.
Ability to collaborate closely with partner organizations.
Willingness to learn or apply qualitative research methods.
Commitment to sharing learning in real-world settings.
Selection based on project fit, capacity, equity, and potential impact. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

Benefits

Selected Fellows receive a grant composed of:

Living Support Stipend (for rent, food, utilities, childcare).
Project Expenses Budget (for travel, transcription, accessibility, venue hire, research materials, participant honoraria, dissemination costs).

The grant is paid in four installments linked to milestones.

Location

Global

How to Apply

Visit the Fellowship page for detailed descriptions of partner organizations, research themes, and eligibility criteria: https://belongingforum.org/samuel-fellowship/

Submit your application via the application link: https://belongingforum.org/samuel-fellowship/fellowship-application/

For questions, contact: scfellowship@belongingforum.org