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Researchers working on children’s development, education, wellbeing, and learning now have an opportunity to secure significant funding through the LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027. The fellowship will support up to 10 researchers worldwide with flexible funding of USD 300,000 over three years to advance research that helps improve children’s lives.
Developed by the LEGO Foundation and administered by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), the fellowship is designed for early and mid-career researchers whose work can strengthen understanding of how children thrive across different social, educational, technological, and humanitarian contexts.
WhatsApp ChannelWhat is the LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027?
The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is a new global research fellowship that provides funding and professional support for researchers studying issues affecting children and young people.
The fellowship supports rigorous and practical research that can generate evidence for policymakers, practitioners, educators, and organizations working with children. Beyond funding, selected fellows will join an international cohort of researchers and participate in annual meetings, virtual sessions, and knowledge-sharing activities.
The program was launched as part of the LEGO Foundation’s 40th anniversary and aims to support research that contributes to better outcomes for children worldwide.
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Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- USD 300,000 in flexible research funding over three years
- Funding administered through the fellow’s host institution
- Support for research personnel and assistants
- Professional travel funding
- Research equipment support
- Dissemination and publication support
- Trainee and student support costs
- Access to a global fellowship cohort
- Opportunities to engage with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers
- Recognition through the LEGO Foundation network and communication channels
The funding includes up to 15% indirect costs and can be used according to fellowship guidelines.
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Research Themes for LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027
Applicants must propose research that aligns with one or more of the fellowship’s three priority themes.
1. The Youngest Children in Crisis and Conflict Settings
This theme focuses on children from birth to eight years old who are affected by humanitarian emergencies, conflict, displacement, and crisis situations.
Research areas include:
- Child resilience and thriving in difficult environments
- Caregiving and family support systems
- Mental health and psychosocial support interventions
- Scaling effective child development programs
- Translating research evidence into humanitarian practice
Researchers may also explore how education, health, nutrition, and protection systems influence child outcomes in crisis settings.
2. Inclusion and Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Children
This research theme focuses primarily on Autism and ADHD while supporting broader research on neurodivergent children and young people up to 18 years old.
Priority areas include:
- Early support before formal diagnosis
- Family well-being and caregiving environments
- Inclusive education and classroom practices
- Transitions between educational and life stages
- Digital tools that support participation and communication
The fellowship seeks evidence that can improve inclusion, learning, and everyday experiences for neurodivergent children and their families.
3. Children’s Learning and Development in an AI-Enabled World
Artificial intelligence is changing how children learn, communicate, and interact with the world. This theme welcomes research examining both opportunities and challenges associated with AI.
Potential research areas include:
- AI and parent-child or teacher-child relationships
- Social and emotional development in the age of AI
- AI’s impact on motivation and learning engagement
- Educational uses of AI technologies
- How AI affects different groups of children differently
Researchers can investigate how AI influences children’s wellbeing, inclusion, participation, and educational outcomes.
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Who Can Apply?
The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027 is open to researchers from around the world.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent research doctorate by July 31, 2026
- Have earned their PhD on or after January 1, 2016, unless covered by an approved career-break policy
- Be employed by a university or research institute when the fellowship begins
- Have institutional capacity to administer fellowship funding
- Submit an individual application
- Propose research aligned with one or more fellowship themes
Researchers from most countries are eligible, except those subject to applicable EU or US sanctions.
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Academic Fields Encouraged to Apply
The fellowship welcomes applicants from a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Education
- Psychology
- Child Development
- Public Health
- Economics
- Sociology
- Neuroscience
- Data Science
- Humanitarian Studies
- Disability Studies
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Implementation Science
Interdisciplinary research proposals are also encouraged.
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Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Online application form
- Two-page CV or résumé
- Research abstract (maximum 250 words)
- Personal statement (maximum 500 words)
- Five-page research proposal
- Budget template and budget justification
- Two-page selected bibliography
The personal statement should explain the applicant’s motivation for researching childhood development, the expected contribution of the proposed work, and how the fellowship will strengthen leadership capacity.
The research proposal should include:
- Research question
- Original contribution
- Methods and data collection plan
- Analysis approach
- Feasibility assessment
- Existing related work
- Ethical considerations where relevant
Applications involving human participants should include plans for obtaining ethical approval.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
Alignment With Fellowship Themes
Reviewers will assess how well the proposed research contributes to understanding children’s thriving within the fellowship’s focus areas.
Research Quality
Applications should demonstrate strong methodology, rigorous research design, and a clear implementation plan.
Original Contribution
Researchers must explain how their work addresses important gaps in knowledge and contributes to scholarship and practice.
Feasibility
The proposal should present a realistic timeline, research strategy, and approach to addressing potential challenges.
Applicant Potential
Selection committees will consider the applicant’s accomplishments, experience, and potential relative to career stage.
Cohort Contribution
Applicants should demonstrate interest in participating in interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Fellowship Timeline
Key Dates
- Application Opens: June 1, 2026
- Application Deadline: July 31, 2026
- Results Announcement: November 2026
- Fellowship Start Date: February 1, 2027
- Fellowship End Date: December 31, 2029
Applications must be submitted before 11:59 PM EST on July 31, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
Why This Fellowship Matters
The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027 stands out because it combines substantial funding with a strong emphasis on research that can influence policy and practice. The fellowship specifically supports work addressing some of the most important issues affecting children today, including humanitarian crises, neurodiversity, and the growing impact of artificial intelligence.
For researchers seeking long-term funding and international collaboration opportunities, the program provides both financial support and access to a global network focused on improving outcomes for children.
Conclusion
The LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027 offers one of the most significant international funding opportunities currently available for early and mid-career researchers working on children’s development and wellbeing. With funding of USD 300,000 over three years and support for innovative research across multiple disciplines, the fellowship provides a platform for researchers to generate evidence that can inform real-world action and policy.
Researchers interested in childhood development, education, neurodiversity, humanitarian settings, or AI and learning should consider applying before the July 31, 2026, deadline.
