Call for Applications: CIP Fellowship Program for Emerging Disability Policy Researchers (2025 – 2026)
Application Deadline: July 31, 2025, 5:00 PM US Eastern Time
Fellowship Period: October 2025 – September 2026
Stipend: USD $1,000/month
The Center for Inclusive Policy (CIP) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for its 2025–2026 Fellowship Program. This 12-month initiative is designed for emerging researchers with disabilities from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who seek to influence inclusive policy and contribute to evidence-based advocacy.
The CIP Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities to lead research or policy analysis projects tailored to their local contexts. It connects fellows to global conversations on disability inclusion and strengthens their ability to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, in alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Fellowship Overview
The fellowship provides mentorship and professional development support to researchers and advocates seeking to transition into more analytical and policy-focused roles. It places particular emphasis on inclusive social protection systems, independent living, care and support mechanisms, and disability data.
Successful policy change and advocacy require robust data—quantitative, qualitative, legislative, and financial—and it is essential that people with disabilities from LMICs are at the center of these efforts. The CIP Fellowship is committed to building this leadership capacity.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- A monthly stipend of USD $1,000 to support their work
- Mentorship to develop their research work plan and achieve deliverables
- Sponsorship to attend a week-long training (e.g., on social protection policies or similar topics)
- Opportunities to contribute to ongoing CIP projects aligned with their interests and expertise
- Access to CIP internal meetings to gain insights from other experts and country experiences
Who Should Apply
CIP is seeking applications from individuals who:
- Identify as persons with disabilities
- Are from low- and middle-income countries
- Are in the early or mid-stage of their careers
- Have experience in disability rights, policy research, or advocacy
- Seek to expand their skills in policy analysis, legal research, data analysis, or budget monitoring
- Have existing connections to local or regional disability rights movements
Applicants currently engaged in direct service delivery or training programs are not the focus of this call. Instead, CIP encourages applicants who are interested in pursuing or enhancing a career in evidence-based policy and legal research.
New Track: Disability Data Fellowship
In addition to the core fellowship, CIP is also launching a specialized Disability Data Fellowship. This track will focus on quantitative research and the use of data to drive policy change. Fellows in this stream will receive specialized training in:
- Disability data generation and analysis
- Data interpretation and use in advocacy
- Capacity building for stakeholders in data collection practices
This initiative aims to equip fellows with practical skills to strengthen the global push for disability-inclusive data systems.
Application Process
To apply, candidates must submit the following materials via email to [email protected]:
- Cover Letter describing their background, motivation, and suitability for the fellowship (1 page)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three references
- Proposed project outlining:
- A clear research question
- Motivation for the study
- General methodology
Applications must be received no later than 5:00 PM EDT on July 31, 2025. The fellowship will run from October 2025 through September 2026.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview. CIP is committed to making reasonable accommodations throughout the application and fellowship process, based on requests from applicants. For further information visit the CIP official website.
Additional Information
- Applications from countries subject to comprehensive or targeted U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)—including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and specified regions of Ukraine—will not be accepted.
- Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered.
- Due to high application volumes, CIP cannot confirm receipt of submissions.
About CIP
The Center for Inclusive Policy (CIP) is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to ensure that the voices and experiences of persons with disabilities—especially those in LMICs—are meaningfully represented in policy development. CIP works globally to strengthen inclusive governance and equitable public systems, with a focus on social protection, care, community living, and data systems.
To learn more about the Fellowship Program or CIP’s ongoing work, visit www.inclusive-policy.org.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
