Calling all early-career ECD professionals! ECDAN's flagship Knowledge Fellows program, now in its sixth year, is accepting applications for the 2026 cohort. The program is an exciting opportunity for aspiring leaders from around the globe to receive professional development, mentorship, and networking connections while working on a project that advances ECDAN’s goals. Fellows will receive a stipend of US$2,000 and complete their projects from May to November 2026.

ECDAN is committed to enhancing its capacity-strengthening efforts particularly for local advocates and connecting global-regional-national efforts to catalyze change at the country level. The 2026 Fellows will create advocacy resources in line with the network’s strategic priorities and influencing opportunities in the areas of:

Disability inclusion
Parenting support
Lead poisoning
Early trauma

This is a wonderful opportunity for talented early-career professionals with a background in ECD to advance their professional goals while contributing to the development of an advocacy resource to benefit the field.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop a work plan with milestones and timelines, breaking down the steps to complete the project.
Schedule and hold monthly meetings with the assigned mentor to solicit guidance and feedback on work produced.
Proactively communicate and follow up.
Gather and analyze relevant information, data, resources, and reference material.
Connect with various stakeholders to ensure the project responds to identified gaps and needs.
Share learning and progress on a regular basis with other Knowledge Fellows in the cohort and the Secretariat.
Complete the agreed deliverable (written work), and ensure it meets quality standards.
Prepare and deliver a presentation with the main insights and messages from the project in a global dissemination webinar.
Provide feedback on the fellowship experience, contribute to improving the program, and remain connected to ECDAN as an ECD champion.

Who is eligible to apply?

Received a Master’s degree within the past three years.
Available to commit 6 to 10 hours per week from May to November 2026.
Interested and experienced in the field of ECD.
Comfortable writing and communicating in English.
Demonstrate integrity and transparency by producing their own original work without plagiarism or the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
Willing to meet at least once a month with an assigned mentor and participate in cohort meetings every two weeks.
Experienced with analyzing information from multiple sources and compiling insights in a digestible and usable format.
Interested in communications, policy advocacy, or creating advocacy materials for social change.
Capable of being self-directed yet responsive to feedback and proactive in initiating communication and following up.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should read and follow the instructions carefully.
Applications will be accepted up until Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps, which include assignment completion, submission of additional materials, and an interview.
Fellowship starts in May 2026 and lasts until November 2026.
Interactive information session will be held via Zoom on Thursday, March 5th, at 7:00 a.m. EDT.

This position was originally posted by ECDAN (Early Childhood Development Action Network) and has been curated by PurposePhil Career. To apply, please visit the original listing on the "apply" link below. We are not affiliated with the employer organization of this job ad or consultancy, and provide this curated listing as a service to our users.

ECDAN (Early Childhood Development Action Network)

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Knowledge Fellows 2026