LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027: Receive $300,000 for Groundbreaking Research on Children’s Thriving

Applications are now open for the LEGO Foundation Fellowship 2027, a prestigious global research fellowship supporting early- and mid-career researchers whose work seeks to improve understanding of how children thrive in diverse contexts worldwide. The fellowship is administered by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in partnership with the LEGO Foundation and will support up to 10 researchers globally.

The fellowship provides USD 300,000 in flexible funding over three years, enabling researchers to pursue ambitious, impactful, and evidence-based projects that can improve children’s lives and influence policy and practice globally.

Fellowship Overview

• Host Organization: Social Science Research Council (SSRC) and LEGO Foundation
• Fellowship Name: LEGO Foundation Fellowship
• Funding Amount: USD 300,000
• Duration: 3 Years
• Number of Fellowships: Up to 10
• Application Deadline: July 31, 2026
• Fellowship Period: February 1, 2027 – December 31, 2029
• Eligible Countries: Researchers worldwide (except countries subject to relevant sanctions restrictions) About the Fellowship

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship was launched as part of the LEGO Foundation’s 40th anniversary celebrations and aims to support innovative research that advances understanding of children’s learning, development, wellbeing, and resilience. The program welcomes researchers from a wide range of disciplines and encourages work that bridges academic research with real-world impact. Researchers will receive funding, join a global cohort of fellows, participate in annual convenings, and engage with policymakers, practitioners, and other scholars working to improve outcomes for children worldwide. (Social Science Research Council (SSRC))

Research Themes

Applicants must propose research aligned with one of the following themes:

1. The Youngest Children in Crisis and Conflict Settings

Research may focus on:

• Early childhood development in humanitarian settings
• Resilience and pathways to thriving
• Caregiving and family support systems
• Mental health and psychosocial interventions
• Evidence-based practices in crisis-affected communities

2. Inclusion and Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Children

Particular emphasis is placed on:

• Autism and ADHD
• Support before formal diagnosis
• Family wellbeing and caregiving
• Inclusive education systems
• Technology and learning tools
• Transitions throughout childhood and adolescence

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

Potential areas include:

• AI and adult-child relationships
• Social and emotional development
• AI’s impact on learning motivation
• Educational technology
• Equity and inclusion in AI-supported learning environments

Researchers may incorporate the role of play in their work, although this is not required. (Social Science Research Council (SSRC))

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• Flexible funding of USD 300,000 over three years
• Support for research personnel and assistants
• Professional travel funding
• Equipment and project expenses
• Dissemination and publication support
• Access to a global network of researchers
• Participation in fellowship meetings and convenings
• Opportunities to share findings with policymakers and practitioners
• Visibility through LEGO Foundation and SSRC communication channels

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD or equivalent research doctorate by July 31, 2026
• Have received their doctorate within the last 10 years
• Be employed by a university or research institute at the start of the fellowship
• Demonstrate a strong research track record relative to career stage
• Submit an individual application
• Have a host institution capable of administering fellowship funds
• Propose research aligned with one or more fellowship themes

Eligible Fields

Researchers from various disciplines are encouraged to apply, including:

• Education
• Psychology
• Child Development
• Public Health
• Economics
• Sociology
• Neuroscience
• Data Science
• Humanitarian Studies
• Disability Studies
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Implementation Science and related fields

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Alignment with fellowship themes
• Originality and significance of the research agenda
• Research quality and methodological rigor
• Feasibility of the proposed work
• Applicant’s research achievements and potential
• Contribution to the fellowship cohort
• Potential impact on policy, practice, and children’s wellbeing globally

Application Timeline

Why Apply?

The LEGO Foundation Fellowship is one of the most significant new global funding opportunities for researchers focused on children and youth. With substantial funding, international visibility, and access to a multidisciplinary network, the fellowship provides a unique platform for researchers seeking to generate evidence that can shape policy and practice worldwide.

Fellowship Snapshot

• Funding: USD 300,000
• Duration: 3 Years
• Number of Awards: Up to 10
• Open to: Early and Mid-Career Researchers Worldwide
• Deadline: July 31, 2026
• Fellowship Start: February 2027
• Host Organizations: LEGO Foundation & SSRC