Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Fellowship – Apply for Research Funding with UNESCO

Exploring the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Fellowship: A Unique Opportunity for Education Researchers

Table of Content

Overview of Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Fellowship
Benefits of Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Fellowship
Eligibility Criteria
Application Process and Important Dates

The Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Fellowship, offered by UNESCO, is a prestigious program designed to empower researchers around the world to contribute to education development and policy. Launched as part of the broader Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report initiative, this fellowship enables talented researchers to conduct studies that address pressing global education issues, contributing valuable insights to the GEM Report’s mission of advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Benefits

The Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Fellowship offers recipients the following benefits:

A stipend of up to US$19,500 for the fellowship period, which can last up to 11 months, as well as full coverage of travel expenses for a minimum one-month residency in Paris.
Dedicated mentorship from a GEM Report researcher, with 3-5 hours of guidance per week while fellows are in Paris and 2 hours per week when they are working from their home country.
Access to a workspace and computer at the GEM Report office located at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris during their residency.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Fellowship, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

Language Proficiency: Proficiency in one of UNESCO's official languages (English or French), with the ability to draft high-quality work in English.
Nationality: Open to applicants from all countries worldwide.
Professional Background: Applicants should be affiliated with research institutions, government agencies, or professional organizations.
Preferred Qualifications: Candidates with a doctoral degree, a solid foundation in quantitative research methods, national-level policy experience, and publications in scientific journals are highly encouraged.
Educational Background: An advanced degree in relevant fields such as education, sociology, economics, political science, psychology, demography, statistics, or psychometrics.
Policy Analysis Experience: Proven experience in policy analysis within academic, research, or national/international agency settings.
Project Management Skills: Demonstrated experience in managing projects in research or policy environments.
Policy Community Connections: Connections within the education policy community are advantageous.
Experience with Education Systems: Familiarity with education systems in low-, middle-, or high-income countries.
Statistical Expertise: Proficiency in statistical techniques for large-scale data analysis and experience with software like Mplus, R, STATA, SPSS, or SAS is a plus.

Research Proposal Requirements:

Policy Relevance: Proposals should address a significant policy issue related to the upcoming GEM Report, with a focus on SDG 4 (the global education goal). The proposal should place the research within the policy debate on education and outline its potential impact on policy and education.
Alignment with GEM Report: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the research will contribute to GEM Report objectives, detailing policy questions related to access, equity, inclusion, and quality in education systems. Applicants should also explain how their work aligns with GEM Report themes or geographic areas.
Data and Methodology: The proposal should describe the data sources, key variables, methods, and statistical procedures intended for the research.
Resources and Timeline: A realistic timeline and details about the anticipated duration, purpose, and benefits of conducting part of the research in Paris should be included.

Application Process

To apply for this scholarship, please follow these steps:

Language Requirement: Applications must be completed in English.
Required Documents:
- CV: Submit a CV formatted according to the UNESCO CV template.
- Project Overview: Include a one-page document with a brief project title, a 150-word abstract, project duration, and budget.
- Project Proposal: Submit a detailed proposal (maximum 5 pages or 2,500 words) that includes:
  - The research question or objective.
  - Explanation of the project’s relevance to the GEM Report.
  - Proposed data and methodology.
  - Timeline and necessary resources.
- References: Provide three references to support your application.
Submission: Send all application materials to gemreport.fellowship@unesco.org.

Important: Applications are reviewed and evaluated by the GEM Report team based on quality, originality, potential impact, as well as the applicant's qualifications and experience. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to discuss minor adjustments to their proposal in a review meeting. Please note that feedback will not be provided for proposals that are not selected.

Important Dates

Deadline: March 22, 2025

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply