LEGO Foundation Research Fellowship 2026 to Support Childhood and Education Research

The LEGO Foundation, in collaboration with the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), announces the opening of applications for the LEGO Foundation Fellowship, a global research fellowship designed for early- and mid-career researchers working on studies that enhance understanding of how children thrive, learn, and develop across different contexts. The fellowship lasts for 3 years and provides flexible funding to support ambitious research projects with practical relevance to childhood, education, and well-being.

Required Research Areas

The fellowship focuses on research related to children’s thriving within one or more of the following areas:

1. Young children in crisis and conflict contexts.
2. Inclusion and well-being of neurodivergent children, with a special focus on autism and ADHD.
3. Children’s learning and development in an AI-supported world.

Responsibilities

1. Dedicate sustained time to implementing the proposed research agenda submitted in the application.
2. Participate in fellowship convenings, including annual meetings and virtual sessions.
3. Share research work in progress and contribute to scholarly exchange with other fellows.
4. Submit annual updates on research progress, in addition to a final report.
5. Acknowledge fellowship support in publications, presentations, and research outputs.
6. Participate in media coverage activities and dissemination of research findings related to the fellowship.
7. Comply with requirements related to ethics, child protection, data protection, and the requirements of the host research institution.

• Research funding of USD 300,000 over 3 years, including 15% indirect costs.
• Fellowship funds are managed through the researcher’s host institution or university.
• The funding can be used to cover research costs, research team expenses, professional travel, equipment, publication, trainee support, and related project costs.
• Join an international network of researchers working on issues related to children’s thriving.
• Opportunities for scholarly exchange with researchers, practitioners, and partners through convenings organized by the LEGO Foundation.
• Support in disseminating research findings through wider media channels.
• Recognition of the researcher within the LEGO Foundation research network.

• The fellowship is open to early- and mid-career researchers from around the world.
• Applicants must be employed by a university or research institute at the start of the fellowship.
• Applicants must hold a PhD or an equivalent research degree by July 31, 2026.
• Applicants must have received their PhD after January 1, 2016, with consideration given to approved career-break policies.
• Researchers must be able to manage the fellowship funding through their host institution.
• Applications must be submitted individually, not as a group application.
• The proposed research must be related to one or more of the fellowship’s focus areas.
• Researchers from any country may apply, except for countries subject to European Union or United States sanctions.

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