The LEGO Foundation (an independent Danish corporate foundation) is launching a global fellowship-administered by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC)-to back early- and mid-career researchers whose work can strengthen what we know about how children thrive across different contexts.

It offers 3 years of flexible research support (funds managed by the host institution) and brings fellows into a cohort for exchange, feedback, and sharing evidence with research/policy/practice audiences. The call welcomes any discipline/method and focuses proposals under one (or more) of these themes:

• Youngest children (0-8) in crisis and conflict settings
• Inclusion and wellbeing of neurodivergent children (focus on Autism/ADHD; up to 18 years)
• Children's learning and development in an AI-enabled world (up to 18 years)
  Play can be included if relevant, but it's optional.

Objective: Support ambitious, rigorous, practically relevant research that builds evidence to inform action for children's thriving

• Early- and mid-career researchers worldwide, employed by a university or research institute.
• PhD (or equivalent) required: must be held by July 31, 2026, and typically awarded within the past 10 years (career interruptions can be explained/considered).
• Individual applications only (no teams).
• Host institution must be able to receive/administer the funds.
• Applicants from any country may apply except countries subject to EU or US sanctions.
• Proposals must align with one or more fellowship themes (you can address more than one).

In case of interest, please click on 'm'interessa' and we will contact you.