Social Science Research Council (SSRC) - The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2026 (With up to $300,000 in Funding)

Published: June 02, 2026
Deadline: July 31, 2026
Category: PhD Fellowship Grants

Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is currently accepting appliocations for The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.

About SSRC - The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship supports researchers with a clear line of inquiry related to children’s thriving. Applicants should describe the work they are ready to advance during the fellowship period, how it builds on their existing research, and why this is the right moment for fellowship support.The fellowship provides flexible support over three years. Funds are awarded to and administered by the fellow’s institution and may be used, consistent with program guidelines, to support the fellow’s effort and the broader costs of carrying out the research. Allowable costs include research personnel, professional travel, and equipment.Fellows will also join a cohort of researchers working across the fellowship themes. The program will create opportunities for exchange, feedback, and sharing evidence with relevant research, policy, and practice audiences.

Sponsor Organisation: Social Science Research Council (SSRC)

Benefits of SSRC - The LEGO Foundation Fellowship

The fellowship offers:

Flexible research funding of USD 300,000 over three years, inclusive of 15% indirect costs.
Funding administered by the fellow’s host institution.
Support for eligible research costs, including research personnel, professional travel, equipment, dissemination, trainee support, and related project costs.
Access to a cohort of fellows working on children’s thriving across disciplines and contexts.
Opportunities for exchange with other fellows, researchers, practitioners, and partners including at convenings hosted by the LEGO Foundation.
Media channels to disseminate your work to a broader audience.
Recognition as part of the LEGO Foundation’s network.

SSRC - The LEGO Foundation Fellowship Requirements

Applicants must:

Hold a PhD or equivalent research doctorate by July 31, 2026.
Have received their PhD no earlier than January 1, 2016, subject to any approved career-break policy.
Be employed by a university or research institute at the start of the fellowship.
Be able to have fellowship funds administered by their host institution.
Submit an individual application.
Propose work that aligns with one or more fellowship themes.

Application Date and Process

Application materials

A standard online application form
A resume or CV (two page limit)
A research abstract (250 word limit)
A personal statement (500 word limit) that explains a) your inspiration for pursuing research into childhood development; b) how the proposed research will contribute to scholarly knowledge on the topic; and c) how the proposed research will support your capacity for leadership in moving discovery into practice.
A research proposal (5 page limit) that includes:
- Relevance. Clearly articulate the research question you will answer.
- Original contribution. Describe the practical implications of the proposed research. How will your research findings be useful to other scholars, practitioners, and/or policy makers?
- Methods. Describe the methods you will use for your research, the type of data you will collect, how you will analyze these data, and steps you will take to ensure that the data and analysis are reliable. Explain why you have chosen the proposed approach for the given question. If your research includes human subjects, you must include your plans for obtaining IRB approval.
- Feasibility. What practical, conceptual, or logistical challenges do you anticipate? How do you plan to address them during the fellowship term
- Work to date. A brief description of related research work done to date, noting any preliminary analysis informing the proposed research.

Completed budget and budget justification templates
A selected bibliography (2 page limit) relevant to the proposed research.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship program will include two evaluation stages. In the first round, an international and multidisciplinary committee of childhood development specialists will review applications and nominate a panel of finalists. In the second round, the LEGO Foundation’s review committee will select grantees. Applicants will be informed of their status in November 2026.