About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The People’s Action for Learning (PAL) Network has officially opened applications for its highly anticipated 2026 Research Fellowship Programme, inviting researchers from across the Global South to contribute innovative, policy-driven solutions aimed at improving foundational learning outcomes for children.
University Fellowships
Applications for the fellowship are currently open, with submissions accepted between June 12 and June 30.
The programme is designed to strengthen research capacity while promoting evidence-based educational reforms that address learning inequalities affecting millions of children worldwide.
Fellowship Focuses on Foundational Learning Across 11 Countries
The 2026 fellowship cohort will focus on the analysis of PAL Network’s 2025 International Common Assessment of Numeracy (ICAN) and International Common Assessment of Reading (ICAR) datasets. These datasets were collected through nationally representative household-based assessments conducted across 11 countries.
Unlike traditional school-based assessments, ICAN and ICAR provide a broader understanding of children’s learning by including both in-school and out-of-school learners. The datasets also contain detailed household, demographic, and contextual information, enabling researchers to examine the root causes of educational disparities and learning gaps.
Global South Resources
PAL Network stated that the fellowship seeks to encourage innovative, interdisciplinary, and equity-focused research capable of generating actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and development stakeholders.
Supporting Data-Driven Educational Transformation
The fellowship programme aims to contribute to ongoing global discussions surrounding educational equity, inclusion, learning recovery, and systems transformation. Researchers participating in the programme will gain access to one of the largest cross-country foundational learning datasets available in the Global South.
Selected fellows will be encouraged to connect ICAN and ICAR findings with external datasets, policy indicators, and current educational initiatives to better understand how economic, social, geographic, and policy-related factors influence children’s learning outcomes.
The initiative also seeks to strengthen collaboration among researchers, institutions, and education practitioners working toward sustainable and scalable learning solutions.
Mentorship and Technical Guidance for Fellows
Successful applicants will receive mentorship and technical support from experienced PAL Network researchers throughout the fellowship period. Participants will also join a collaborative peer-learning environment designed to foster knowledge-sharing and innovative thinking.
According to PAL Network, high-quality research outputs may be featured through:
PAL Network publications
Policy engagement platforms
International conference presentations
Knowledge-sharing forums
Educational research partnerships
This opportunity provides emerging and established researchers with a platform to contribute to impactful educational policy discussions while expanding their expertise in citizen-led assessment research.
Fellowship Seeks Innovative and Inclusive Research Approaches
The PAL Network Research Fellowship Programme is particularly focused on advancing inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for marginalized and underrepresented children.
University Fellowships
The organization encourages applicants to explore creative and interdisciplinary approaches when analysing learning data. Researchers are expected to produce policy-relevant evidence that can support governments, educational institutions, and development partners in making informed decisions.
The fellowship’s core objectives include:
Promoting innovative analysis of large-scale learning data
Strengthening research capacity across the Global South
Supporting evidence-informed education policies
Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration
Advancing sustainable and scalable learning solutions
Improving foundational learning outcomes for all children
PAL Network Continues Expanding Global Learning Partnerships
PAL Network is a South-South partnership comprising 17 member organizations working across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The organization is dedicated to improving children’s foundational learning through citizen-led assessments and collaborative educational initiatives.
Global South Resources
By leveraging community-based research and data-driven advocacy, PAL Network has become a leading voice in advancing learning equity and educational inclusion globally.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply before the June 30 deadline. Additional information, including the Terms of Reference (TOR), can be accessed through the organization’s official channels.
How to apply