About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Partners for Public Good (PPG) is inviting applications for its Research Fellowship 2026, a six-month, project-based opportunity for early-career researchers interested in improving government effectiveness through evidence, policy research, and applied analysis.
The fellowship is designed for researchers who want to apply rigorous research methods to real-world challenges affecting state and local governments.
The programme is part-time and remote within the United States, requiring fellows to work between 15 and 25 hours per week. Selected fellows will receive US$50 per hour, with benefits provided where required by applicable state or local law.
The desired start date is October 2026, and applications must be submitted by September 28, 2026.
Important: PPG cannot provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must currently be legally authorised to work in the United States.
Partners for Public Good Research Fellowship Overview
Fellowship DetailsInformationProgrammePartners for Public Good Research FellowshipOrganisationPartners for Public Good (PPG)DurationSix monthsWork ArrangementPart-time, remote within the United StatesWorking Hours15–25 hours per weekCompensationUS$50 per hourDesired Start DateOctober 2026Application DeadlineSeptember 28, 2026Work AuthorisationU.S. work authorisation requiredVisa SponsorshipNot availableTravel RequirementAccess to a major U.S. airport for an in-person research retreat
About Partners for Public Good
Partners for Public Good is a nonpartisan organisation that works alongside state and local governments to strengthen the operational systems that determine whether public policy delivers meaningful results for residents.
Its work covers areas such as:
Public procurement
Staffing
Budgeting
Technology
Government operations
Administrative capacity
Rather than focusing solely on recommendations, PPG works directly with government teams during implementation to help ensure that improvements are effectively put into practice.
Through applied research and its Procurement Excellence Network, which brings together more than 3,000 government professionals, PPG translates lessons from individual governments into practical knowledge and tools that can be used across different jurisdictions.
About the Research Fellowship
The six-month Research Fellowship is intended for researchers who want to apply rigorous research methods to practical government challenges.
Fellows will conduct policy-relevant research, collect and analyse data, and contribute to publications and other public-facing research outputs.
Each fellow will work on a defined research project under the guidance of PPG staff and alongside two other fellows.
The fellowship combines independent research with:
Coaching calls
Research team meetings
Professional development
Mentorship
An in-person research retreat
The programme is open to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career faculty, research and policy professionals, and other candidates with comparable experience.
Research Topics
Applicants can choose from five priority research areas.
1. Understanding Public Procurement Through Municipal Data
This project will examine publicly available information on local government procurement across U.S. cities.
The research will explore how governments purchase goods and services and what municipal procurement data can reveal about public purchasing practices.
2. The Compliance Web: Layered Governance and Local Implementation
This research area will investigate how federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and funding requirements influence government implementation and administrative capacity.
The project will explore the relationship between different levels of governance and the practical challenges faced by local governments.
3. Emerging Technology and Government Operations
This project will examine how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are being used by state and local governments.
Researchers will explore what the adoption of these technologies reveals about government operations, organisational capacity, and administrative practices.
4. Innovative Approaches to Public Purchasing
This research area will examine emerging approaches to procurement, particularly cooperative purchasing.
The project will assess the implications of these approaches for:
Government efficiency
Market participation
Public purchasing practices
The wider public procurement ecosystem
5. Building Local Capacity for Stormwater Management
This project will explore how communities develop and finance stormwater management capacity in response to infrastructure and climate resilience needs.
The research will examine how local communities address stormwater challenges while strengthening their capacity to respond to infrastructure and climate-related demands.
Fellowship Deliverables
Each fellow is expected to complete approximately two to three deliverables during the fellowship.
Depending on the selected research project, deliverables may include:
Literature review
Dataset compiled from publicly available information
Dataset based on primary research
Survey instruments
Interview instruments
Draft publication
Policy brief
Conference submission
Fellows will receive support in translating their research into publications and policy-oriented outputs.
These outputs can contribute to the evidence base for government reform while also helping fellows strengthen their professional research portfolios.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship welcomes applicants with relevant research or policy experience.
Applicants may be affiliated with:
Universities
Think tanks
Nonprofit organisations
Research institutions
Policy organisations
Candidates may maintain their institutional affiliation throughout the fellowship.
Independent researchers without an institutional affiliation are also eligible to apply, provided they can meet the programme's time commitments and deliverable requirements.
The fellowship is particularly suited to candidates with experience in areas such as:
Research
Policy analysis
Data collection
Qualitative research
Quantitative research
Public administration
Public policy
Related fields
Compensation and Benefits
Selected fellows will work approximately 15–25 hours per week and receive compensation of:
US$50 per hour
Benefits will also be provided where required by applicable state or local law.
The fellowship is expected to begin in October 2026 and will run for approximately six months.
In addition to compensation, fellows will benefit from research mentorship, coaching, professional development, collaboration with other fellows, and opportunities to produce research and policy-oriented outputs.
Eligibility and U.S. Work Authorisation
The fellowship is remote but is limited to candidates who are legally authorised to work in the United States.
PPG explicitly states that it cannot provide visa sponsorship.
Applicants should therefore confirm that they currently have the required U.S. work authorisation before applying.
Candidates must also have access to a major U.S. airport, as fellows are expected to travel for the in-person research retreat.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials:
1. Resume or CV
A current resume or CV of no more than two pages.
2. Letter of Interest
A letter of interest of no more than two pages addressing:
The applicant's preferred research project
Relevant qualifications
Proposed research approach
Candidates interested in two research projects may submit a letter of up to three pages and must identify their top choice.
3. Work Sample
Applicants must provide a work sample demonstrating relevant research skills and expertise.
This may include:
A published research paper
A research paper currently under review
Another relevant research product demonstrating research ability
Applicants should select a work sample that clearly demonstrates their analytical and research capabilities.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates should prepare all required application materials and submit them to Partners for Public Good before the deadline.
Before applying, applicants should:
Review the five available research projects.
Identify their preferred research topic.
Confirm that they meet the U.S. work authorisation requirement.
Prepare a resume or CV of no more than two pages.
Prepare the required letter of interest.
Select an appropriate research work sample.
Confirm their ability to work 15–25 hours per week.
Ensure they can travel for the required in-person research retreat.
Submit the completed application before the deadline.
PPG reviews applications on a rolling basis, but applications received by close of business on September 28, 2026 will be considered.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Partners for Public Good Research Fellowship 2026 is:
September 28, 2026
The desired start date for the fellowship is October 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials early because PPG reviews applications on a rolling basis.
Why Consider the PPG Research Fellowship?
The Partners for Public Good Research Fellowship provides early-career researchers with an opportunity to apply their research and analytical skills to real-world government challenges.
The project-based structure allows fellows to work on practical questions involving public procurement, governance, emerging technology, government operations, public purchasing, and climate resilience.
The fellowship also combines paid research experience with mentorship, professional development, collaboration, and opportunities to produce publications and policy-oriented outputs.
How to apply