LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027: A Global Opportunity for Child Development Research

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027 is now accepting applications from early- and mid-career scholars. This prestigious fellowship offers a significant financial award of $300,000 over three years to support research focused on how children thrive in various global contexts. Administered by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in partnership with the LEGO Foundation, this program aims to generate evidence that can inform real-world actions to improve children’s lives. The fellowship is open to researchers from a wide range of disciplines, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle urgent global challenges affecting children.

Understanding the LEGO Foundation Fellowship

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship was established to deepen the understanding of child development, learning, and wellbeing in today’s complex world. It aligns with the LEGO Foundation’s ongoing commitment to children’s education, creativity, and inclusive development. The fellowship is particularly relevant given current global issues such as humanitarian crises, educational disparities, mental health concerns, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on children’s lives. By supporting researchers, the program seeks to empower those who can shape policies and practices that better serve children worldwide.

Fellowship Funding and Benefits

Selected fellows will receive substantial support over a three-year period, from February 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029. The fellowship provides a flexible research fund of $300,000, which includes 15% for indirect costs and can be administered by the fellow’s institution. This funding can cover a broad range of research-related expenses, including personnel, travel, equipment, data collection, dissemination, and trainee support.

Beyond financial assistance, fellows become part of a global, interdisciplinary community. This network offers opportunities for collaboration, research exchange, and peer learning. The program also includes annual meetings and virtual sessions to foster dialogue and sharing among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Fellows can expect increased international visibility for their work through the LEGO Foundation network and potential media opportunities. The fellowship is also designed to support long-term career advancement by strengthening leadership capacity and building partnerships.

Key Research Themes

The fellowship encourages research proposals that align with one or more of three core themes:

Theme 1: The Youngest Children in Crisis and Conflict Settings

This theme focuses on children from birth to age eight who are experiencing crisis, displacement, or humanitarian emergencies. Research can explore mechanisms of resilience, pathways to thriving, strengthening caregiving and family environments, and the scaling of effective interventions. Studies involving refugee children, internally displaced children, and vulnerable host community children are particularly welcome. The goal is to understand how these young children continue to develop and learn despite adversity and how to best support them.

Theme 2: Inclusion and Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Children

This theme specifically addresses the needs of neurodivergent children, with a focus on autism and ADHD. Research can investigate support systems before diagnosis, the role of family environments, inclusive learning practices in educational settings, and the continuity of support during developmental transitions. The theme also welcomes research on how digital tools can help reduce barriers to communication and participation for neurodivergent children. The aim is to improve the inclusion and overall wellbeing of these children.

Theme 3: Children’s Learning and Development in an AI-Enabled World

This theme examines the impact of artificial intelligence on children’s experiences and development. Research questions may include how AI influences adult-child connections, its effects on social-emotional development, and its role in learning processes, such as “productive struggle.” The theme also seeks evidence on whether AI exacerbates or reduces educational inequalities. Understanding these dynamics is crucial as AI becomes more integrated into children’s lives.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is open to early- and mid-career researchers globally. Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent research doctorate awarded no earlier than January 1, 2016, and be employed by a university or research institute. Individual applications are required, and proposals must align with at least one of the fellowship’s themes. The program acknowledges career breaks due to parental leave, illness, or other interruptions.

Eligible disciplines are diverse and include education, psychology, public health, sociology, neuroscience, economics, data science, disability studies, humanitarian studies, child development, human-computer interaction, and implementation science. Applicants from all countries are welcome, with exceptions for those subject to EU or US sanctions. Up to 10 fellowships will be awarded.

Application Materials

To apply, candidates must submit an online application form, a CV or resume (maximum 2 pages), a research abstract (250-word limit), and a personal statement (500-word limit) detailing their motivation and potential contributions. A research proposal (maximum 5 pages) outlining relevance, originality, methods, and feasibility is also required, along with a budget and budget justification, and a selected bibliography (maximum 2 pages).

Application Timeline and Selection Process

Applications opened on June 1, 2026, and the deadline for submission is July 31, 2026. The selection process involves two stages. First, applications are reviewed by international childhood development specialists and multidisciplinary reviewers. Second, final selections are made by a LEGO Foundation review committee. Applicants will be notified of the results in November 2026.

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027 represents a significant opportunity for researchers dedicated to advancing the understanding and support of children’s thriving. By providing substantial funding and fostering a global network, the fellowship aims to drive impactful research that can lead to positive changes in policies and practices worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027?

It’s a global research opportunity for early- and mid-career scholars, offering $300,000 over three years to study how children thrive in different global contexts.

Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?

Early- and mid-career researchers worldwide with a PhD awarded no earlier than January 1, 2016, and employed by a university or research institute are eligible.

What are the main research themes for the fellowship?

The themes are: children in crisis and conflict settings, inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children, and children’s learning and development in an AI-enabled world.