Applications are currently being accepted for the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) - The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Social Science Research Council - The LEGO Foundation Fellowship
The fellowship provides flexible support over a three-year period for researchers pursuing ambitious, rigorous, and practically relevant work. We are looking for fellows with strong research potential, clear ideas for the next phase of their work, and a commitment to building evidence that can inform action for children.
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.
Benefits of Social Science Research Council - 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.
Social Science Research Council - The LEGO Foundation Fellowship Requirements
The fellowship is open to early- and mid-career researchers from around the world who are employed by a university or research institute and have received their PhD or equivalent research doctorate within the past 10 years.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A strong record of research accomplishment relative to career stage.
- A clear and original research agenda related to one or more fellowship themes.
- Strong methodological grounding and a feasible plan for the fellowship period.
- Potential to contribute to evidence that can inform action for children.
- Interest in engaging with an interdisciplinary fellowship cohort.
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.
Applicants from any country are welcome to apply, with the exception of countries subject to EU or US sanctions. If your country is not on either sanctions list, you are eligible to apply regardless of your location.
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.
Application Deadline
31 July, 2026
Opportunity Application
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Social Science Research Council - The LEGO Foundation Fellowship
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