THE PROGRAM
The CIP Fellowship Program is a 12-month online initiative, starting on October 1, designed to support emerging researchers with disabilities in strengthening their research and social policy skills. The programme is specifically directed at individuals with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The fellowship is intended for applicants with some research experience who are seeking to further develop their skills, rather than for established senior researchers. There is no age limit for applicants.
Application deadline: July 31, 2026, at midnight EDT.
OBJECTIVES
- Strengthen Local Research Capacity
- Empower emerging researchers with disabilities from LMICs to design and implement projects rooted in their local contexts, generating evidence that reflects lived realities.
- Connect Fellows to Global Policy Discourse
- Integrate fellows into international conversations on disability rights and inclusive policy, ensuring their perspectives contribute to and benefit from global developments aligned with the CRPD
- Mentor and Empower Disability Advocates
- Provide structured mentorship to fellows engaged in inclusive policy or policy research, equipping them with skills and networks to advance disability rights in their countries
OUR OFFER
Selected fellows will receive:
- A monthly stipend of USD 1,000 for 12 months
- Research costs or sponsorship for conferences/further training of up to USD 2,000
- Reasonable accommodation costs necessary to facilitate participation will also be covered
- An online training curriculum, led by leading researchers
- A mentor to guide your research
- Opportunities to participate in CIP research projects and connect with a global network
WHO
We are looking for applicants who are:
- A person with a disability
- Based in the Global South or from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
- Interested in social policy, research and disability equality
- Part of the disability movement
- Have basic research skills
- Have an undergraduate degree
- Motivated to learn or strengthen research skills
- Proficient in spoken and written English. Applicants should have an English level sufficient to understand everyday conversations and communicate using basic spoken skills. Spoken proficiency in English is not required for sign language users, for whom interpretation will be available
There is no age limit for applicants.
We are not seeking:
- Senior or established researchers
- Researchers with extensive experience in UN agencies
- Applicants working on topics unrelated to disability
- Applicants from countries excluded by OFAC: North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Syria and Russia
Please note that rather than looking for people who are engaged in training programs or service delivery, we are looking for people with a desire to engage in:
- Disability data
- Social protection
- Care and support
- Inclusive budgeting
- Community support systems
- Independent living
This year, in addition to our usual we are recruiting for a fellowship that will focus on quantitative data collection. The Disability Data Fellowship is a groundbreaking initiative that equips emerging leaders who are persons with disabilities from low- and middle-income countries with the skills and support to drive change through data. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and applied research, fellows will master issues related to generating, interpreting, and advocating for disability-inclusive data, as well as first principles in data analysis. This will include building their capacity to assist with training various stakeholders on collecting data for disability inclusion.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted to office@inclusive-policy.org
1. Research Proposal (focused on disability policy in their own country.) Maximum 3 pages (Arial 12, 2.5 cm on all sides margins), including:
- Introduction
- Research question
- Methodology
- Data and methods
- Expected results
- Timeline for completion within 12 months
2. Updated CV
3. Cover Letter
4. Two References
NOTE: Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to confirm receipt of each application.
Application deadline: July 31, 2026, at midnight EDT.
Guidance on AI Use
While the use of AI is not prohibited, applicants are strongly advised not to rely on AI to generate research questions or methodologies. Instead, proposals should present ideas clearly, preferably in bullet points.