Do you work to support children and families who face conflict or displacement or poverty? Georgetown University wants to hear from you. Its Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues has opened applications for the Global Frontline Leaders 2027 cohort. The focus is mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for children and families.
The programme offers a 7500 USD stipend paid in two instalments. You also get mentorship and monthly virtual workshops. You join from your own country. The programme runs for 10 months from February to November 2027.
The deadline is 6 November 2026. That is less than two weeks away. The announcement does not state the closing time or the time zone. So do not wait for the last day.
Last Information Checked: 26 October 2026
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | Global Frontline Leaders 2027 |
| Host | Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues |
| Focus | MHPSS for children and families |
| Length | 10 months (February to November 2027) |
| Format | Fully virtual |
| Location | Participants can join from anywhere in the world |
| Stipend | 7500 USD paid in two instalments |
| Orientation | Individual welcome session in January 2027 |
| Deadline | 6 November 2026 (time and time zone not stated) |
About the Global Frontline Leaders Programme
Many children and families live with deep distress. Few can reach a specialist. In many places help comes from community groups and schools. Faith based groups and health workers also step in. Policymakers decide how far that help can reach.
This programme links these people across countries and sectors. It is led by Georgetown University’s Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues. The 2027 cohort brings together practitioners and researchers and policymakers. They work with families affected by conflict and displacement. Climate pressures and extreme poverty are also part of the picture.
The angle is worth noting. The cohort does not look only at single treatments. It looks at how mental health support can be built into healthcare and education. Social protection and community responses are also covered. So the focus is on systems and not only on one off projects.
What the 2027 Cohort Will Cover
- Compare mental health support in different countries and communities
- Present promising practices from low and middle income countries
- Strengthen evaluation methods and find evidence gaps
- See how health and education and other sectors can work together
- Map the people and institutions that shape mental health services
- Check how systems respond in emergencies
- Plan ways to keep care going during disruption
Participants also study the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings. They also study the World Health Organization World Mental Health Report.
The programme ends with shared work. Participants write a joint paper on innovative frontline approaches. They also present findings in a webinar hosted by the Collaborative.
Programme Format and Timeline
The programme is fully virtual. You can stay in your home country and keep doing your job. Learning is spread across the months. It includes monthly activities and peer exchange and mentoring. It also includes shared research.
The year starts with an individual welcome session in January 2027. The main programme runs from February to November 2027.
Programme Benefits
- 7500 USD stipend paid in two instalments
- A global network of MHPSS practitioners and researchers and policymakers
- One to one mentoring or leadership support
- Monthly virtual workshops with guest speakers and case studies and peer learning
- Contact with Georgetown University faculty and leaders from UN agencies and NGOs and foundations
- A chance to take part in shared research on promising frontline approaches
- A chance to present findings through a Georgetown-hosted webinar
- Membership in a lasting community of leaders working for children and families
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Who Can Apply
The programme looks for practitioners and researchers and policymakers who advance mental health and psychosocial support. The announcement gives these examples:
- Leaders of community-based or faith-based MHPSS projects
- Professionals who work with children and families affected by conflict or displacement or other crises
- Researchers who study mental health interventions and how well they work
- People who develop or run policies on access to mental health services
- Professionals who work across health or education or humanitarian response or social protection
- People who adapt mental health support to local cultures and beliefs and community needs
Applicants should show practical frontline insight. They should also show a commitment to strengthening the systems that sustain care. The programme values community knowledge and cultural and spiritual practices. It also values the leadership of people with lived experience.
What the announcement does not say: It names no formal degree requirement. It names no minimum years of experience. It names no nationality limit. That does not mean there are no other rules. Read the official form for extra conditions.
You should apply if:
- You work in mental health or psychosocial support for children and families
- You can share real frontline experience and ideas for stronger systems
- You can join virtual sessions from February to November 2027
You should skip if:
- Your work has no link to mental health or psychosocial support
- You want an in person programme
- You cannot keep up with monthly virtual activities for 10 months
How To Apply
- Read the official programme information from the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues.
- Check that your work fits MHPSS for children and families.
- Prepare your documents early. The announcement does not list them. The earlier Global Fellows programme from the same team asked for English test scores and a CV and a child protection policy. It also asked for details of a current project and three references. The 2027 form may differ. So read it fully.
- Open the official online application form and complete every section.
- Submit before 6 November 2026. The closing time is not stated in the announcement. The earlier programme closed at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Confirm the time on the form.
- Send any questions through the contact details on the official page.
Key Dates
- 6 November 2026: Application deadline (time and time zone not stated)
- January 2027: Individual welcome session
- February 2027: Programme starts
- November 2027: Programme ends
- Selection date: not stated