Application Deadline: February 16, 2025
Hurray! Applications are now open for the 2025 Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship Program, an innovative initiative designed to empower researchers from the Global South to advance knowledge and drive evidence-based action on Early Childhood Development (ECD) in climate emergency contexts. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity for local researchers to contribute to a growing global community dedicated to improving the lives of young children (ages 0-8) and their caregivers during times of crisis.
The program not only supports the production of high-quality research but also ensures that findings are widely disseminated through the MMA Network and the Research Forum on Young Children in Emergencies. With a specific focus on the intersection of climate emergencies and ECD, this fellowship provides a platform to address critical knowledge gaps, shape policies, and create sustainable solutions.
Program Overview: What is the Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship?
The MMA Research Fellowship Program supports researchers from the Global South in conducting studies that focus on young children and their caregivers in emergency situations caused by climate-related disasters. Fellows will receive financial support, mentoring, and opportunities to share their findings on a global stage, enabling them to contribute to actionable policy and programmatic changes.
The 2025 theme, Early Childhood Development in Climate Emergencies, highlights the urgent need to address how climate crises impact young children’s mental health, development, and well-being. Fellows’ research will provide valuable insights to fill gaps in knowledge and support the implementation of evidence-based interventions in disaster-prone regions.
Research Focus Areas in Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship
The Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship Applicants are encouraged to address one or more of the following critical research gaps:
Mental Health and Climate Emergencies: Investigate the relationship between climate emergencies and mental health outcomes for young children and their caregivers. Explore protective factors and interventions that support emotional resilience during crises.
ECD Programs in Disaster Contexts: Evaluate the effectiveness of Early Childhood Development programs implemented in the wake of climate-related disasters. Identify best practices for program delivery in resource-constrained, emergency settings.
Post-Reconstruction and Child-Friendly Policies: Examine the role of child-focused policies in post-disaster reconstruction efforts. Assess how recovery efforts can be designed to prioritize the needs of young children and families.
Policy Research for Systems Change: Analyze policy frameworks and systems-level changes required to strengthen ECD support during climate emergencies. Provide recommendations for integrating ECD into national disaster response and preparedness plans.
Research Requirements for the Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship
Applicants must propose research projects that meet the following criteria:
- Original and Methodologically Rigorous: Proposals should reflect high standards of research, employing qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches.
- Geographic Focus: Research must focus on countries within the Global South.
- Alignment with the Nurturing Care Framework: Proposals should address at least one of the five pillars of the framework: responsive caregiving, safety, early learning, nutrition, or mental health.
- Data Sources: Projects may utilize either primary or secondary data, depending on the scope and objectives of the research.
By focusing on these criteria, the fellowship ensures that funded projects are both impactful and contextually relevant.
Fellowship Expectations for the Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship
Selected Fellows for the Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship will be required to:
- Conduct their research project over 12 months.
- Share interim and final findings with the MMA Research Forum.
- Submit a comprehensive research report or publication summarizing their work.
The program emphasizes collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the practical application of research findings to create meaningful change in the field of ECD.
Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship Benefits
The Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship provides robust support to help Fellows successfully conduct their studies and share their findings with a global audience:
- Financial Support: Each Fellow will receive a one-time stipend of US $5,000 to fund research activities. This financial backing ensures that researchers have the resources necessary to carry out their work effectively.
- Global Community of Practice: Fellows will join a network of researchers from around the world who are focused on ECD in climate emergency contexts. This community provides opportunities for collaboration, idea exchange, and peer learning.
- Knowledge Sharing and Mentorship: Fellows will participate in learning events, webinars, and mentoring sessions designed to enhance their research skills and expand the reach of their findings.
- Dissemination Opportunities: Research findings will be shared widely through the MMA Network and Research Forum, ensuring that insights reach policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders.
These benefits are designed to not only support individual researchers but also to amplify their contributions to the global conversation on ECD in emergencies.
Why the Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship is Important
Climate emergencies disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations, including young children and their caregivers. These crises disrupt essential services, undermine family stability, and pose long-term risks to children’s health, development, and well-being.
Despite the growing recognition of these challenges, significant gaps remain in our understanding of how to mitigate the impacts of climate disasters on young children and their families. The MMA Research Fellowship addresses these gaps by empowering researchers in the Global South—those closest to the realities of these crises—to generate actionable insights and drive evidence-based interventions.
By aligning with the Nurturing Care Framework, the program ensures that research is holistic and addresses the full spectrum of young children’s needs, from health and nutrition to safety and responsive caregiving.
How to Apply for the Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship
The application process for the Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship is straightforward but requires careful preparation.
- Prepare a Research Proposal: Clearly outline the research objectives, methodology, and alignment with the fellowship’s theme and focus areas.
- Submit Your Application: Applications must be submitted by February 16, 2025. Detailed application guidelines and forms are available on the official MMA webpage.
- Engage with the MMA Community: Be ready to collaborate with other researchers and actively participate in the program’s events and activities.
Applicants are encouraged to propose studies that are relevant to their local context, innovative in approach, and grounded in rigorous research methods.
Learn More about the Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship
This fellowship represents a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children and families affected by climate emergencies. By joining this program, you can contribute to a growing body of evidence that will shape policies, programs, and practices for generations to come. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a global movement driving change in Early Childhood Development. Apply today!
For more information about the 2025 Moving Minds Alliance Research Fellowship Program, including eligibility criteria, application forms, and deadlines, visit the official MMA webpage.
