Deadline: February 2, 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Funding: CHF 150,000 + Overheads | Duration: 3 Years
Fellowship Start Date: January 1, 2027
A Global Fellowship Program to Promote Research on Child and Youth Development
The Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship Program is a globally competitive fellowship program for early and mid-career researchers whose work is dedicated to improving the learning and development of children and youth worldwide. The relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to, education sciences, psychology, economics, sociology, behavioral science, computer science, pedagogy, linguistics, neurosciences, and science of learning.
Particularly encouraged to apply are scholars who seek to combine multiple levels of analysis and engage in interdisciplinary work. A special focus lies on work to understand and embrace variability in learning; promote the generation, transfer, and practical application of evidence on human learning and development or increase the capacity to scale up effective education policies and practices.
CIFAR and the Jacobs Foundation are especially interested in the following questions, which are aligned with our research agenda:
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How do variations in individuals and contextual factors influence learning and development and learning outcomes?
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How can we design for learner variability at scale to enable all children to reach their potential as learners and in life?
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How can we produce interventions that reduce growing inequalities in children’s learning and overcome disparities in the impacts of digital technologies?
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How can we address the role of data to help learners and teachers make informed decisions about their learning and teaching?
To find out more about the Jacobs Foundation Strategy 2030 and research agenda, please visit the Jacobs Foundation website.
Fellowships are awarded to highly talented and innovative early and mid-career researchers who have received their PhD within the past 10 years. Funding from Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowships is awarded directly to the fellow’s institution and may be used by the fellow over a three-year period to cover a portion of the fellow’s salary and for any purpose in support of the fellow’s research, such as assistants’ salaries, equipment, technical assistance, professional travel, or trainee support.
The ideal fellow does not only have a great research idea but also a significant potential as a researcher to contribute as part of interdisciplinary teams within and beyond the network of the Jacobs Foundation. The application should include the broader ideas of the applicant as well as the research priorities during the Fellowship period.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Target Group | Highly talented early career researchers. The ideal candidate has received his/her PhD or equivalent degree within the past 10 years. |
| Funding amount | CHF 150’000 |
| Funding period | 3 years |
| Number of fellowships per year | Up to 12 |
| Use of funds to cover the fellow’s salary | Up to 50% of the grant amount |
| Funding of overhead / indirect costs | Up to 10% of the total amount of funding in addition to the basic grant (total of CHF 165,000) |
| Additional funding | Fellows may apply for additional funding at the end of the fellowship to conduct further projects with a focus on evidence to action and scientific capacity building. |
| Non-financial benefits | In addition to providing fellows with independent and competitive funding, the program offers a wide range of non-financial benefits. |
OFFERS AND EXPECTATIONS
The Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship provides independent and competitive funding. In addition, the fellowship offers a range of non-financial benefits. Fellows are expected to make use of these opportunities for networking and development and to engage with the Jacobs Foundation as detailed below.
| What the Jacobs Foundation offers | What the Jacobs Foundation expects |
| Networking and alumni events and opportunity for exchange with other Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellows and alumni | Participation in and contribution to events organized by the Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship e.g Annual meetings
Interaction and collaboration with other Fellows |
| Media channels to disseminate your work to the broader scientific and public audience | Contribution to communication activities of the Jacobs Foundation, e.g., BOLD articles
Help spread articles on BOLD, e.g., through own social media channels |
| Opportunities for personal and scientific development through integration into the Jacobs CIFAR Fellowship network (e.g., exchange on online platform, attendance of conferences, Fellowship meetings) | Updates on personal and scientific development, e.g., on publications, grants, new positions, media coverage, exchange with policy and decision makers once a year in an annual progress report |
| A meaningful partnership including ample space for innovative ideas and activities within and beyond the research sector | Active partnership by providing ideas, and activities, e.g., organizing symposia at international conferences or workshops with other Research Fellows and alumni |
| Recognition as part of the Jacobs Foundation’s network | Acknowledgment of support from the Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship (e.g., in publications, presentations) |
ELIGIBILITY
The ideal candidate
- has obtained his/her PhD or equivalent degree within the past 10 years;
- is employed at an institution of higher education or research institute;
- is conducting high-quality research in an area highly aligned with early education and learning variability;
- is committed to engaging with the Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship Network.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The following selection criteria are weighted equally:
- Past research accomplishments and publication record
- Creativity and potential for serving as a leader in the scientific community
- Scientific quality of methods and data
- International relevance of the fellow’s planned work
- Potential for promoting human development and learning
- Alignment of planned projects with the goals of the Jacobs Foundation’s Strategy 2030
- Willingness engage with the Jacobs Foundation and CIFAR network along with fellowship alumni
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the deadline for submitting an application? The application and the recommendation letter must be submitted by February 2, 2026, noon EST.
Is funding for overhead fixed at 10%? The amount of overhead funding is not negotiable. The 10% amount is in addition to the grant of CHF 150’000 (for a total of CHF 165’000). See General Information.
What if I have been on leave, e.g., maternity leave(s), sick leave or other since receiving my PhD? We do apply common practice in adjusting for periods of reduced productivity. For example, if your PhD is 12 years ago, but you have been on leave for 3 years, you are still eligible.
I have not yet received my PhD. May I still apply? By the time the fellowship is awarded (the end of August 2026), you need to have completed your PhD. Please note that if you apply, you will be competing with other candidates who are several years post-PhD.
Can I apply together with other researchers? No, the fellowship is awarded to an individual researcher. Joint applications are not possible.
Do I need to be employed? Yes, at the start of the fellowship candidates must be employed at a university or other research institution, but they do not need to have a permanent contract or a full-time position. The fellowship funds must be administered by the relevant university or research institution.
May I move to another institution during the fellowship period? Yes. We apply the “money follows researcher” process.
Is there a geographic focus when selecting fellows? The fellowship program is international and open to researchers from any country. The question on the application regarding a geographic focus refers to the focus of your research.
When does the fellowship start? The three-year Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship for 2026 begins on January 1 2027 and ends on December 31 2029. These dates are not negotiable.
Am I required to submit a budget? For the initial application, a budget is not required. However, if invited to submit an extended proposal, you are asked to add a budgetary overview as well as a timeline of planned activities.
If I am not selected on my first try, may I reapply? Yes, you are encouraged to re-apply.
A few tips on how to write a Jacobs Foundation Research Fellowship Application
General
- Answer all questions posed in the online application form.
- Be as concise but also as informative and illustrative as you can within the word limit. References are within the word limit. Budgets, photographs, or charts are not required in the Initial application round.
- Do not focus on a single project only. We want to know more about your research plans and ideas for the next 3-5 years.
Alignment
- Explain your motivation for the application and for collaboration if awarded with a Fellowship.
- We are looking for highly talented, creative, innovative, and committed applicants with a high interest in engaging with other Fellows as well as broader networks in both Jacobs Foundation and CIFAR. Your application should demonstrate your ability and willingness to be an active member of a distinguished network.
- Be aware of the selection criteria. Only candidates who score high on all criteria can be considered for a fellowship.
Application steps
- Initial application: The first round of application focuses strongly on the alignment of your research plans with the Jacobs Foundation’s Strategy 2030. In addition, we want to know if you personally would be a strong member of the network.
- Extended proposal: The second round focuses more strongly on details of your planned research for the fellowship period. We want to know more about your ideas for your work as well as how you would engage with the network.
- Interview: During the interview, we want to clarify open questions that we have, based on your written application. We also look forward to learning more about your motivations for applying to the fellowship and your willingness to engage with the network as a whole.
- Review: All three steps are conducted by a team consisting of reviewers across a range of disciplines. Applicants who reach the interview stage will be given feedback on their application.
Contact
For any questions, please email fellowship@jacobsfoundation.org.
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