Apply now for the 2026-2027 ECD in Crisis Research Fellowship Program for early career researchers in the Global South (stipend of up to $5,000 awarded)

Ednah Carrick March 5, 2026

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Closing Date: 31 March 2026

Apply now for the 2026-2027 ECD in Crisis Research Fellowship Program for early career researchers in the Global South (stipend of up to $5,000 awarded)

Moving Minds Alliance is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Early Childhood Development in Crisis (ECDiC) Research Fellowship Program.

The ECD in Crisis Research Fellowship Program supports local researchers in low‑ and middle‑income countries who are advancing evidence on young children (ages 0–8) and their caregivers living in crisis contexts.

If you or someone in your network is committed to improving the wellbeing of young children and families in crisis settings, Moving Minds Alliance encourages you to apply and share widely.

About the Fellowship

The ECD in Crisis Research Fellowship Program supports locally based, early career researchers in the Global South to carry out studies on issues related to young children (aged 0-8 years) and their caregivers in emergency contexts. It offers an opportunity to be part of a global community of researchers who are advancing knowledge and evidence in this field, while working with the Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) Research Forum team. It also offers the opportunity for Fellows’ research to be disseminated widely through the MMA Network, and through the Research Forum on Young Children in Emergencies.

MMA is now seeking applications for the 2026-27 Fellows cohort, with positions available to conduct research related to the theme: Early Childhood Development in Crisis and Displacement. This year,MMA is particularly interested in research that explores policy and advocacy for ECD in crisis; however, topics related to the overall theme may also be considered.

As a Fellow, you will be supported to carry out relevant (to your country or local context) studies with young children and families over a 12-month period by:

Providing a one-time stipend of US $5,000 to be used toward research activities
Convening a community of practice of researchers around the world who are focusing on young children and families in climate emergency contexts
Providing opportunities for knowledge sharing, mentoring, and dissemination of your research to a global audience (through learning events and webinars to which you will be invited to share your findings

Research Requirements – ECD in Crisis and Displacement

The number of young children affected by crisis, conflict, and displacement is at an all-time high, with an estimated 520 million children living in conflict zones (PRIO). In 2025, an estimated 7.7 million children were born into humanitarian crises, situations in which access to ECD support is disrupted, unavailable, or inaccessible (STC).

Combined with a global decline in humanitarian and development financing (MMA) for ECD, young children – now more than ever – are at risk of having no access to services that are critical for their long-term health, learning, development, and wellbeing. Despite the proven importance of early stimulation, responsive caregiving and safe learning spaces during crises, ECD services are rarely prioritized or sufficiently funded in humanitarian response plans, amplifying the risk that these youngest children will face lifelong disadvantages (UNICEF, WHO).

Therefore, there exists a critical gap and thus limited, contextually-relevant knowledge and research related to:

Policy research into ECD in emergencies, including solutions and support for systems change
Child-friendly policies for climate-related disasters
Programmatic interventions or approaches in ECD for young children, caregivers, and communities affected by crisis and displacement
Post-reconstruction ECD efforts and approaches following disasters, emergencies, or other situations of crisis

To qualify for the Fellowship, your research should be:

Original and creative, but may form part of an existing or ongoing project
Rigorous and methodologically sound, which will be supported and reviewed with mentors
Based on and conducted in countries within the Global South
Thematically aligned or addressing issues identified as knowledge and research gaps above, as they relate to ECD in crisis and emergencies

Selection of research proposals that meet the above criteria will be prioritized. To be successful, research fellows will need to work towards either or both:

Conducting primary research (qualitative, quantitative or mixed method) to highlight important issues at
the national/sub-national level related to the themes of the Nurturing Care Framework (NCF) within the
context of early childhood development in crisis and emergencies.

This can include:

o Responsive caregiving
o Security and safety
o Opportunities for early learning
o Good health and adequate nutrition
o Mental health and well-being in the context of young children in or affected by crisis, displacement, emergency, or conflict

Selection Criteria

Key criteria for selection include:

Originality: What gap does your research fill in the current research landscape on young children,
caregivers, and their communities who have been affected by crisis or displacement? (refer to Research Requirements above)
Potential to inform programming and policy: Are the issues relevant across contexts?
Alignment to thematic priorities outlined above, within the context of crisis or displacement for young children (aged 0-8) and their caregivers and communities Feasibility of research within the 12-month time frame, with a final report to be completed and submitted by
Geographical relevance and requirement: Applications from the Arab, Asia-Pacific, and South American regions will be prioritized for this cohort. However, this should not act as a deterrent for applicants from the African region.