Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2026 supports early- and mid-career researchers conducting innovative research on children’s learning, development, and wellbeing. The fellowship provides flexible funding of up to USD 300,000 over three years for individual researchers whose work can generate evidence that informs policy, practice, and real-world interventions that help children thrive.
Overview
The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a global research funding program designed to strengthen understanding of how children learn, grow, develop, and thrive across diverse social, educational, technological, and humanitarian contexts.
The fellowship supports rigorous, interdisciplinary, and practically relevant research that can contribute to evidence-informed policies and interventions aimed at improving outcomes for children worldwide. Selected fellows will join an international cohort of researchers working across disciplines and regions to advance knowledge and create meaningful impact.
Fellowship Details
- Fellowship Name: LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2026
- Funding Organization: LEGO Foundation
- Maximum Funding: USD 300,000
- Fellowship Duration: Three years
- Number of Fellowships Expected: Up to 10
- Funding Type: Flexible research funding
- Target Group: Early- and mid-career researchers
- Geographic Scope: Global (subject to applicable sanctions restrictions)
Key Research Themes
The fellowship supports research that advances understanding of children’s wellbeing, learning, and development.
Priority themes include:
- Early childhood development
- Child wellbeing
- Education and learning sciences
- Developmental psychology
- Public health
- Humanitarian studies
- Data science for child outcomes
- Evidence-informed policymaking
- Interdisciplinary child-focused research
- Learning and development in an AI-enabled world
- Inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children
- Children in crisis and conflict settings
Applicants may focus on one or multiple themes, provided the research contributes meaningful evidence and practical insights.
What is the LEGO Foundation Fellowship?
The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is an individual research fellowship that supports scholars whose work addresses critical questions related to children’s development and wellbeing.
The program seeks to:
- Expand the global evidence base on child development.
- Generate actionable research findings.
- Inform education and social policies.
- Improve interventions that support children.
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Promote research with real-world relevance.
Unlike many collaborative grant programs, the fellowship supports individual researchers rather than research teams.
Priority Research Areas Explained
Young Children in Crisis and Conflict Settings
Research may examine how displacement, conflict, humanitarian emergencies, and instability affect children’s development, learning, wellbeing, and resilience.
Potential topics include:
- Early learning in emergencies
- Child protection
- Trauma and resilience
- Education access in conflict zones
- Humanitarian interventions
Neurodivergent Children and Inclusion
The fellowship encourages research that improves understanding of inclusion, participation, wellbeing, and developmental outcomes for neurodivergent children.
Potential topics include:
- Inclusive education
- Autism and neurodiversity
- Learning environments
- Social inclusion
- Developmental support systems
Children in an AI-Enabled World
Researchers may explore how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies influence children’s learning, development, wellbeing, and educational experiences.
Potential topics include:
- AI-assisted learning
- Digital childhood experiences
- Educational technologies
- Digital wellbeing
- Technology and child development
Funding and Eligible Expenses
The fellowship provides up to USD 300,000 over three years.
Funding is administered through the fellow’s host institution and may support:
- Research personnel
- Research assistants
- Professional travel
- Equipment and research tools
- Data collection activities
- Dissemination and publication costs
- Conferences and workshops
- Trainee and student support
- Knowledge-sharing activities
- Other approved project-related expenses
The flexible funding structure allows researchers to allocate resources according to project needs.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be an early- or mid-career researcher.
- Be employed by a university or research institute.
- Hold a PhD or equivalent research doctorate by July 31, 2026.
- Have received their PhD within the previous 10 years.
- Meet any applicable career-break policy provisions.
- Conduct research aligned with one or more fellowship themes.
The fellowship is open to researchers worldwide except where participation is restricted by applicable sanctions regulations.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The fellowship does not support:
- Research teams as primary applicants.
- Individuals without a PhD or equivalent doctorate by the required date.
- Applicants who do not hold an eligible institutional affiliation.
- Projects that fall outside the fellowship’s research priorities.
How the Fellowship Works
The fellowship follows a structured research and knowledge-sharing model.
Step 1: Submit an Individual Research Proposal
Researchers develop and submit an original research concept aligned with one or more fellowship themes.
Step 2: Application Review
Applications are assessed based on:
- Research quality
- Innovation
- Relevance
- Potential impact
- Practical applicability
- Scholarly contribution
Step 3: Fellowship Award
Selected fellows receive funding administered through their host institution.
Step 4: Conduct Research
Fellows implement their research project over a three-year period.
Step 5: Participate in the Global Cohort
Researchers engage with other fellows through collaborative learning, networking, and knowledge exchange activities.
Step 6: Disseminate Findings
Research outcomes are shared with academic, policy, practitioner, and public audiences to maximize impact.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Research on children’s development plays a critical role in shaping policies, educational systems, and social interventions.
This fellowship helps:
- Generate evidence-based solutions.
- Improve child wellbeing outcomes.
- Strengthen educational practices.
- Support vulnerable and marginalized children.
- Inform public policy decisions.
- Advance interdisciplinary research.
- Build a global network of child-focused researchers.
- Translate research into real-world impact.
Benefits for Fellows
Successful applicants may receive:
- Up to USD 300,000 in research funding.
- International recognition.
- Access to a global research network.
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Support for knowledge dissemination.
- Greater policy and practice engagement.
- Enhanced research visibility and influence.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Focus on a clear and significant research question.
- Demonstrate how the project improves understanding of children’s outcomes.
- Show strong methodological rigor.
- Highlight potential policy and practice relevance.
- Emphasize originality and innovation.
- Clearly explain expected impact.
- Present a realistic research timeline and budget.
- Demonstrate institutional support.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Proposing research unrelated to fellowship themes.
- Failing to explain practical relevance.
- Submitting overly broad research questions.
- Providing weak methodology descriptions.
- Overlooking dissemination and impact plans.
- Presenting unrealistic project timelines.
- Insufficient explanation of policy or practice implications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much funding does the fellowship provide?
The fellowship provides up to USD 300,000 over a three-year period.
Who can apply for the LEGO Foundation Fellowship?
Early- and mid-career researchers employed by universities or research institutes who hold a PhD or equivalent research doctorate are eligible to apply.
How many fellowships will be awarded?
Up to 10 fellowships are expected to be awarded during this funding cycle.
Is the fellowship open internationally?
Yes. Researchers from around the world may apply, subject to applicable sanctions restrictions.
Can research teams apply?
No. The fellowship supports individual researchers rather than research teams.
What research topics are prioritized?
Priority areas include early childhood development, child wellbeing, neurodiversity, learning in crisis settings, AI and children’s development, education, psychology, public health, and related interdisciplinary fields.
What can the funding be used for?
Funding may support personnel, travel, equipment, trainee support, dissemination activities, research implementation costs, and other approved project-related expenses.
Conclusion
The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2026 offers a significant opportunity for early- and mid-career researchers to advance impactful research on children’s learning, development, and wellbeing. Through flexible funding, global networking opportunities, and a strong focus on evidence-informed impact, the fellowship supports innovative research that can influence policy, improve practice, and contribute to better outcomes for children around the world.
For more information, visit LEGO Foundation.