Collaborative on Global Children's Issues

The Global Fellows Program gives leaders on the front lines of preventing and responding to child-family separation an opportunity to document and showcase their innovative approaches.

The Global Fellows Program at Georgetown University’s Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues amplifies the work of individuals from around the world who are building creative solutions to prevent and respond to child-family separation, including state-sponsored separations. The program connects service providers, policymakers, and researchers with each other and the tools they need to present their innovative approaches in a published paper.

The program builds lasting relationships among fellows, alumni, and distinguished guest speakers. Together, they form a global network that helps children grow up in caring and protective families.

The Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues offers a rigorous curriculum of technical expertise, leadership development, peer learning, and networking activities during the virtual 10-month fellowship beginning in January 2026. With the support of a leadership coach, fellows take the skills and tools they gain from the program and decide how to apply them to their ongoing direct service, policy, and research work.

Applications are due November 21, 2025.

If you have a disability and want to request an accommodation for the application process, please email us at globalchildfellows@georgetown.edu.

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Program Components

• There are seven core components to the Global Fellows Program:
  
• 1. Orientation: An initial one-to-one video meeting between each fellow and the program facilitator to introduce themselves and discuss the fellowship goals and expectations.
  
• 2. Workshops: Monthly workshops that create a shared experience for the cohort and feature a mix of policy discussions, guest speakers, resilience and leadership training, peer learning, peer networking, group exercises, and related pre- and post-work.
  
• 3. Pre- and Post-Work: Tailored activities to introduce and reinforce concepts discussed during the workshops, ranging from networking practices to writing exercises.
  
• 4. Networking: In-workshop and supplemental opportunities to connect with other fellows through a dedicated social media group, secure group chat, and/or special networking events.
  
• 5. Project: A collaborative paper that integrates lessons from service-delivery, policy, and research on innovative, child-centered solutions for preventing or responding to family-child separations.
• 6. Executive Coaching: Monthly, confidential one-to-one sessions with a certified leadership coach to process the fellowship experience, including discovering personal strengths, clarifying goals, developing a roadmap, and overcoming obstacles.
• 7. Stipend: A total stipend amount of $7,500 USD distributed in two installments linked to receipt of key project deliverables.

Frequently Asked Questions​

• General

• What is the purpose of this fellowship?
• The purpose of the Global Fellows Program is to promote learning on how to prevent and respond to child-family separation, including state-sponsored separations. It is designed to amplify lessons from service providers, policymakers, and researchers who integrate empirical evidence with lived experiences by engaging the perspectives of children and families who have been separated.
  
• What are the benefits of the fellowship?
• Fellows benefit from this program in many ways. They gain technical expertise from guest speakers, become part of a global network of thought leaders, and exponentially increase the impact of their work by reaching an international audience. Fellows also benefit from sharpening their resilience and leadership skills to navigate change, uncertainty, and other challenges.
  
• How long is the fellowship term?
• The Global Fellows Program lasts for 10 months. It begins in January 2026 and ends in November 2026.
  
• Who is eligible to apply?
• Experienced direct service providers, policymakers, researchers, and other practitioners who are currently engaged in projects to prevent or respond to child-family separation and demonstrate English proficiency are eligible to apply. Applicants will be asked to provide their English proficiency test scores as part of the online application unless it is their first language.
  
• What if my project recently ended?
  
• Currently working on a project to prevent or respond to child-family separation is an eligibility requirement for this fellowship. If there is a gap in your project, you may request an exemption as part of your application. Exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis and are rarely made.
  
• What if I need an accommodation?
  
• If you have a disability and want to request an accommodation for the application process, please email us at globalchildfellows@georgetown.edu.
  
• Is this a paid fellowship?
  
• Yes, fellows who complete the fellowship requirements will receive $7,500 USD over two installments. Each payment is linked to receipt of a project deliverable.
  
• What happens after the fellowship ends?
  
• Toward the end of the program, the facilitator will prompt fellows to reflect on their experience, discuss joining the alumni network, and list their post-fellowship goals. Fellows may continue to partner with the Georgetown University Collaborative on Children’s Issues as part of the alumni community and members of its global network.

• Application

• How do I apply?
  
• To apply for the Global Fellows Program, complete this online form. The web address for the form is: bit.ly/GlobalFellowsApp. You will be required to sign in to your Google account, and your email address will be collected automatically with your response.
• Applications are due by November 21, 2025. We strongly encourage you to submit your application early.
  
• What materials are required for the application?

• You will need your English proficiency test scores, resume or curriculum vitae, the child protection policy, information about your current project, and three references.

• Do I need letters of recommendation?

• Yes, if your application advances in the selection process, we may contact the individuals you listed as references and invite them to submit a confidential letter of recommendation and/or conduct a reference check. Referees may submit their letters of recommendation directly to the Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues at globalchildfellows@georgetown.edu.

• We will notify you before contacting your references. Once we do, we encourage you to follow up with your references to ensure recommendations are submitted on time.
  

• Is there an application fee?

• There is no application fee. Eligible applicants may apply to the Global Fellows Program for free.
  

• When is the application deadline?

• The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 21, 2025. All materials, including English proficiency test scores, should be received by that date. We strongly encourage you to submit your application sooner if possible.
  

• Selection

• What does the selection process look like?
  

• The Global Fellows Program uses a four-stage selection process. First, we screen applications to determine eligibility. Then a panel of experts conducts a second-level review to identify the top candidates. Those candidates are invited to interview with the panel on a video call. After the interview, we may contact the references listed in the candidate’s application for more information.
  We will notify selected candidates and ask them to confirm their participation in the 2026 cohort.
  

• Will there be interviews?
  

• Top candidates will be invited to a virtual panel interview. The interview will last about 30 minutes over a video conferencing platform.
  

• When will I be notified of the decision?

• We anticipate notifying selected candidates and confirming their participation by mid-January 2026.

• Commitments and Expectations

• What are fellows expected to do?

• Fellows are expected to actively participate in the core program components and produce a high-quality paper in collaboration with their cohort members and facilitator. The core program components include an orientation, monthly workshops, pre- and post-work, networking, a collaborative project, monthly executive coaching, and a stipend.

• Can I hold another job or attend school during the fellowship?

• Yes, since this is not a full-time program, fellows may work and/or go to school during the fellowship. In fact, fellows should be engaged in projects to prevent and/or respond to child-family separation before and during the fellowship.

• Will I need to travel?
  

• No, the Global Fellows Program is a virtual fellowship. Travel is not required.

• Please reach out to globalchildfellows@georgetown.edu with any further questions.