The UNESCO GEM Report Fellowship 2025-2026 offers a fantastic opportunity for international postdoctoral researchers to engage in transformative research in education. This fully funded fellowship provides a stipend of up to US$19,500 for up to 11 months, covering living and research expenses, as well as full travel costs to Paris, France, for a one-month residency at the UNESCO Headquarters.
The goal of this fellowship, which is funded by the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report team, is to build research capacity, especially in emerging economies, and to promote linkages between education research, policy, and practice. With a focus on using evidence-based analysis to shape education policy, this initiative aims to promote multidisciplinary research that questions established paradigms.
Fellowship Summary:
- Level of Study: Postdoctoral
- Institution: UNESCO
- Study Locations: Paris, France (for one month) and applicant’s home country (for the rest of the duration)
- Program Period: 6 to 11 months
- Eligible Countries: All countries
- Deadline: March 22, 2025
Fellowship Benefits:
The UNESCO GEM Report Fellowship provides several benefits to successful applicants, including:
- A stipend of up to US$19,500 for the duration of the fellowship (up to 11 months).
- Full travel costs for a one-month residency in Paris, France.
- Mentorship by a GEM Report researcher, with guidance provided both in Paris and remotely.
- Access to a desk and computer during the residency at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the UNESCO GEM Report Fellowship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Language Proficiency: Fluency in one of UNESCO’s official languages (English or French), with the ability to draft to a high standard in English.
- Advanced Degree: Ph.D. in education, sociology, economics, political science, psychology, demography, statistics, psychometrics, or related fields is required.
- Research Experience: A track record of publications in scholarly journals, as well as demonstrated expertise in policy analysis and quantitative research methodologies.
- Relevant Experience: Experience with education systems in low, middle, or high-income countries and a strong background in statistical analysis using software such as Mplus, R, STATA, SPSS, or SAS.
- Policy Focus: Applicants must present a research proposal addressing a significant policy topic related to SDG 4 (the international education goal) and demonstrate its potential contribution to the field of education.
How to Apply for the UNESCO GEM Report Fellowship:
Follow these steps to apply for the UNESCO GEM Report Fellowship:
- Prepare the Required Documents:
- CV in the UNESCO CV template format.
- One-page document with the project title, abstract (150 words), duration, and budget.
- Project proposal (maximum of 5 pages or 2500 words) including:
- Research question or aim of the project.
- Relevance to the GEM Report.
- Proposed data and methodology.
- Timeline and resources required.
- Three references to support the application.
- Application Submission:
- All documents must be submitted in English.
- Send your completed application to the following email: gemreport.fellowship@unesco.org.
- Review Process:
- Applications will be reviewed by the GEM Report team based on criteria such as quality, potential, originality, and the applicant’s qualifications.
- Shortlisted candidates may be invited to discuss potential adjustments to their proposals in a review meeting.
Important Dates:
- Deadline for Applications: March 22, 2025
- Initiation of Fellowship: Dependent on the research timeline proposed by the applicant.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Quality of Research Proposal: Applicants must present a well-defined research proposal that contributes to the themes of the GEM Report.
- Relevance to Policy: The proposal must address critical education policy issues and demonstrate its alignment with SDG 4.
- Use of GEM Resources: The proposal should clearly outline how GEM Report resources will be used to advance the research.
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