PPG Research Fellowship 2026 in the USA | $50 Per Hour for Early-Career Researchers

Partners for Public Good (PPG) is accepting applications for its 2026 Research Fellowship, a six-month, project-based opportunity for early-career researchers interested in improving government effectiveness through rigorous, policy-relevant research.

The fellowship is designed for researchers who want to contribute directly to research on public procurement, local government operations, technology, regulatory systems, infrastructure and government capacity.

Selected fellows will work remotely from within the United States for approximately 15 to 25 hours per week and will receive compensation of $50 per hour, with benefits as required by applicable state or local law.

The fellowship is expected to begin in October 2026, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The final application deadline is September 28, 2026, at close of business.

About the PPG Research Fellowship

The PPG Research Fellowship is a six-month programme that provides early-career researchers with dedicated time, mentorship and practical experience conducting research connected to government effectiveness.

Fellows will work on one of five predetermined high-priority research topics related to public procurement and local government operations.

Throughout the fellowship, participants will conduct policy-relevant background research, apply rigorous research methods to collect and analyse data, and collaborate with PPG staff and other fellows.

The programme is designed not only to generate useful research for governments but also to help fellows develop their own research portfolios through publications, policy briefs, datasets and other professional outputs.

About Partners for Public Good

Partners for Public Good (PPG) is a nonpartisan organisation that works alongside state and local governments to strengthen the operational systems that determine whether policies translate into results for residents.

Its work covers areas including:

• Procurement
• Staffing
• Budgeting
• Technology
• Government operations
• Applied research
• Implementation

Rather than simply providing recommendations, PPG works directly with government staff during implementation and remains engaged until meaningful changes have been achieved.

Through its implementation work, applied research and Procurement Excellence Network, PPG shares knowledge and tools that can be applied across different jurisdictions.

The organisation’s Procurement Excellence Network includes more than 3,000 government professionals.

Why the Fellowship Focuses on Local Government

Local governments play a critical role in translating public policy into services and outcomes that residents experience every day.

Areas such as transportation, infrastructure, emergency services and school food depend on effective local government systems and operations.

However, there remains a need for more rigorous research examining how local governments manage procurement, budgeting, technology and staffing capacity, as well as how these operations are influenced by state and federal policies and regulations.

The PPG Research Fellowship aims to support a new generation of researchers who are interested in using evidence and research to improve government effectiveness.

The programme provides fellows with an opportunity to investigate practical government challenges while producing research that can contribute to broader discussions about public-sector reform.

Fellowship Structure

The fellowship lasts for six months.

Fellows will work on a defined research project under the guidance of PPG staff and alongside two other fellows.

The programme combines independent research with collaboration and professional development.

Participants will take part in activities such as:

• Coaching calls
• Research team meetings
• Collaborative research activities
• Professional development opportunities
• Research discussions with PPG staff

Fellows will also receive support in translating their research into public-facing outputs, including draft publications and policy briefs.

Before the fellowship begins, PPG and each selected fellow will agree on:

• Work hours
• Project goals
• Expected deliverables
• Data access
• Data use
• Data rights
• Data ownership

The work schedule is flexible within the agreed 15–25-hour-per-week commitment.

Five Research Topics

Applicants can express interest in one or two of the five research projects available through the fellowship.

1. Understanding Public Procurement Through Municipal Data

Public procurement is an important mechanism through which governments use public resources to provide services, infrastructure and other outcomes for residents.

However, procurement practices, systems and publicly available information can differ significantly from one jurisdiction to another.

This research project will examine publicly available information about local government procurement to develop a better understanding of procurement practices across U.S. cities.

The fellow will contribute to research designed to strengthen understanding of how governments purchase goods and services while identifying opportunities for further research and analysis.

2. The Compliance Web: Layered Governance and Local Implementation

Local governments operate within a complex system of federal, state and local laws, regulations, funding requirements and administrative procedures.

While these requirements can establish important protections and standards, they can also create administrative burdens, uncertainty and challenges for effective implementation.

This project will focus on one area, such as permitting, transit infrastructure or school food procurement, to examine how the complex “compliance web” affects local government operations and project delivery.

The research will explore where federal and state policies support or constrain local implementation and how policy design could better support effective government delivery.

3. Emerging Technology and Government Operations

State and local governments are increasingly exploring artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to support internal operations and their workforce.

These technologies may also provide new ways to understand how public servants interact with government systems and processes.

This research project will explore what the use of AI and emerging technologies can reveal about government operations, organisational capacity and opportunities for improvement.

The fellow will contribute to developing and testing new approaches to studying how government work is performed.

4. Innovative Approaches to Public Purchasing

Governments have multiple tools and approaches available for purchasing goods and services.

Different purchasing approaches can involve different advantages, limitations and trade-offs.

This project will examine emerging procurement trends, with particular attention to cooperative purchasing.

The research will explore how and why different approaches are being used across jurisdictions and consider their implications for:

• Government efficiency
• Market participation
• Public procurement systems
• The broader procurement ecosystem

5. Building Local Capacity for Stormwater Management

Communities across the United States are exploring different ways to improve their ability to manage stormwater and respond to infrastructure and resilience needs.

Approaches vary depending on local circumstances, governance structures and state and federal policy environments.

This research project will examine how communities develop and finance stormwater management capacity.

Fellows will identify patterns across jurisdictions and generate insights that can inform future research and practical approaches to stormwater management.

Fellowship Deliverables

Each fellow will be expected to complete approximately two to three deliverables during the fellowship.

Depending on the research project, deliverables may include:

• A topic-specific literature review
• A dataset compiled from publicly available information and supporting documentation
• A dataset developed through primary data collection
• Survey or interview instruments
• A draft research publication
• A policy brief
• A conference submission

These outputs can provide fellows with practical research experience while strengthening their professional and academic portfolios.

Fellowship Location and Working Hours

The fellowship is a remote opportunity.

The position can be undertaken from a flexible location within the United States, but fellows must have access to a major U.S. airport because the programme includes an in-person research retreat.

Fellows will work between 15 and 25 hours per week.

The exact working hours will be agreed upon between PPG and each selected fellow before the fellowship begins.

Fellowship Compensation

Selected fellows will be compensated at a rate of:

$50 per hour

The fellowship requires approximately 15–25 hours of work per week.

Benefits will be provided where required by applicable state or local law.

The compensation structure provides fellows with paid research experience while allowing them to maintain other academic or professional commitments within the requirements of the programme.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is intended for early-career researchers and professionals with relevant research or policy experience.

Potential applicants may include:

• Graduate students
• Postdoctoral researchers
• Early-career faculty
• Research staff
• Policy staff
• Researchers affiliated with universities
• Researchers affiliated with think tanks
• Researchers affiliated with nonprofits
• Professionals with comparable research or policy experience

Applicants may maintain an affiliation with a university, think tank, nonprofit or other research or policy organisation during the fellowship, provided they can meet the required time commitments and deliverables.

Applicants who do not have an institutional affiliation are also welcome to apply.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV

Applicants must submit a resume or curriculum vitae of no more than two pages.

The document should clearly present the applicant’s relevant academic, research, professional and policy experience.

2. Letter of Interest

Applicants must submit a letter of interest addressing specific questions.

The letter should explain:

• Which one or two research projects the applicant is interested in and why.
• Why the applicant is qualified to undertake the selected project.
• How the applicant would approach the proposed research.

Applicants interested in two projects may submit a letter of up to three pages and should clearly identify their first-choice project.

Applicants interested in only one project should follow the two-page limit.

3. Work Sample

Applicants must provide a work sample demonstrating their research skills and expertise.

The work sample may be:

• A published research publication
• A research publication under review
• Another relevant research product

Applicants should select a work sample that provides strong evidence of their ability to conduct and communicate rigorous research.

Application Deadline

The final deadline to apply for the PPG Research Fellowship is:

September 28, 2026

PPG will review applications on a rolling basis.

All applications received by the close of business on September 28, 2026 will be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Expected Start Date

The desired start date for the fellowship is:

October 2026

Selected fellows will work with PPG before the start of the programme to establish expectations regarding working hours, research goals, deliverables and data-related matters.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Partners for Public Good is an equal opportunity employer.

The organisation states that all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

PPG is also committed to including qualified individuals with disabilities in its hiring process.

Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process can contact the organisation through the contact information provided in the original application announcement.

How to Apply for the PPG Research Fellowship

Interested applicants should prepare all required materials before submitting their application.

The application process includes:

1. Review the five available research topics.
2. Select the one or two projects that best match your interests and experience.
3. Identify your first-choice project if applying for two.
4. Prepare a resume or CV of no more than two pages.
5. Prepare the required letter of interest.
6. Select an appropriate research work sample.
7. Review all application requirements carefully.
8. Submit the complete application before the September 28, 2026 deadline.

Conclusion

The PPG Research Fellowship 2026 offers early-career researchers an opportunity to gain practical experience conducting policy-relevant research focused on government effectiveness and local government operations.

Over six months, fellows will work alongside PPG staff and other researchers on one of five research topics covering public procurement, regulatory compliance, emerging technology, public purchasing and stormwater management.

The programme combines independent research, collaboration, mentorship and professional development, while giving participants opportunities to produce literature reviews, datasets, publications, policy briefs and conference submissions.

Selected fellows will work remotely for 15–25 hours per week and receive $50 per hour, with benefits as required by applicable law. The fellowship is expected to begin in October 2026.

Researchers interested in contributing to evidence-based improvements in government operations should consider preparing their application early. The final deadline is September 28, 2026.

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