SRCD U.S. Policy Fellowship 2026–2027: How to Apply

Applications for the 2026–2027 SRCD U.S. Policy Fellowship Program will open on Monday, October 27, 2025, and shut on January 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. This article outlines eligibility necessities, the application and interview course of, and particulars on what this system seeks in potential fellows.

SRCD is presently accepting candidates for each State and Congressional fellowship placements. Federal placements should not obtainable till additional discover.

Apply here.

About the SRCD U.S. Policy Fellowship

The SRCD U.S. Policy Fellowship is designed for researchers who need to interact immediately with evidence-based policymaking. It helps students dedicated to making use of developmental science to coverage points affecting kids and households.

Ideal candidates are researchers who’re open to studying, dedicated to fairness and inclusion, and inquisitive about exploring policy-related profession pathways.

Application Process

The SRCD fellowship choice course of consists of:

1. Written Application Stage

2. Interview Stage

3. Matching Process (for Congressional placement candidates)

Applications are reviewed by a number of evaluators. All submissions are name-blind and institution-blind to guarantee equity. Applicants obtain suggestions at every stage to assist future purposes.

Eligibility Requirements

General Requirements

All candidates should:

• Hold a doctoral-level diploma (Ph.D., Ed.D., M.D., or equal) related to child growth earlier than the fellowship begins on September 1, 2026.

• Be an lively SRCD member.

Citizenship and Work Authorization

• Congressional Placement: Applicants have to be U.S. residents.

• State Placement: Non-U.S. residents could apply, however should verify that citizenship is just not a requirement for the precise state workplace. Most states don’t sponsor work visas, so candidates should have already got authorized authorization to work within the U.S. for the total length of the fellowship.

Required Background

State and Congressional candidates will need to have expertise associated to early childhood growth (beginning–8 years). This could embrace:

• Research or follow involving younger kids or their households

• Work in child welfare, child well being methods, childcare applications, poverty-related applications, or early childhood methods

What the Application Includes

Applications are submitted by way of SRCD’s on-line portal. Applicants will want to put together:

1. Application Questions

2. Statement of Interest (1,600 phrases)

3. Two References

4. Transcript

5. Placement Agency Statement of Support (750 phrases)

Pre-Interview Task

Applicants chosen for interviews will full a pre-interview job. This train permits reviewers to assess abilities relatively than writing polish or skilled teaching.

Interview Process: Finals Week

Virtual interviews will likely be held between February 23, 2026, and March 4, 2026.

During Finals Week, candidates will:

The Selection Panel

The SRCD choice panel consists of:

Panels embrace people with various disciplinary backgrounds {and professional} trajectories, making certain well-rounded analysis.

Evaluation Criteria

SRCD values variety in all types and encourages purposes from people from underrepresented backgrounds, differing views, and students with disabilities, first-generation graduates, and LGBTQIA+ students.

Applicants are scored on a 1–5 scale throughout the next abilities:

1. Expertise in developmental science

2. Expertise in analysis strategies

3. Openness to development and studying

4. Commitment to inclusion and various views

5. Communication abilities

6. Critical pondering and drawback fixing

7. Initiative

8. Reliability

Funding

State and Congressional placements are funded by way of the Heising-Simons Foundation beneath one- or two-year grant cycles. Placement businesses don’t pay for fellows.

SRCD could assist state-specific placements if exterior funders categorical curiosity. Potential funders can contact SRCD at coverage@srcd.org.

Support & Contact Information

If you’ve got questions or want to join with a present or former fellow, e-mail coverage@srcd.org.

To know extra about such alternatives, click on right here.

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