The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) is now accepting applications for the Humanitarian Futures: Gender, Displacement, and Justice Fellowship, an 8-month, fully remote research fellowship designed for early to mid-career women researchers with lived experience of displacement. This prestigious fellowship offers financial support, research mentorship, and a collaborative learning environment for scholars committed to advancing gender justice within humanitarian and displacement contexts.
Application Deadline: February 9, 2026
Location: Remote
Duration: March 2026 – October 2026
Type: Temporary | Fellowship
Level: Experienced / Early–Mid Career
Fellowship Overview
The Humanitarian Futures Fellowship is an intensive research program created to support women researchers who are exploring critical and underexamined questions at the intersection of gender, displacement, justice, and humanitarian systems. At the heart of the fellowship is a commitment to feminist, decolonial, and community-centered research that challenges traditional humanitarian models and uplifts the leadership, expertise, and lived realities of displaced women.
The Women’s Refugee Commission firmly believes that displaced women are not only survivors of crisis but also key knowledge holders and solution-builders. This fellowship is intentionally designed to center their voices and experiences while generating research that can influence policy, advocacy, and humanitarian practice globally.
Selected fellows will work closely with WRC staff and join a cohort of fellow researchers, benefiting from peer learning, mentorship, and opportunities to present and publish their findings through WRC platforms.
Fellowship Duration and Support
The fellowship runs for 8 months, from March 2026 to October 2026.
Fellows will receive comprehensive support, including:
- A research stipend
- Dedicated research guidance and mentorship from WRC staff
- Peer learning and cohort collaboration with other fellows
- Opportunities to present research findings at convenings and events
- Opportunities to publish research outputs through WRC channels
This fellowship is structured to allow fellows to conduct rigorous, ethical, and community-engaged research while strengthening their professional research and advocacy skills.
Who Should Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
WRC is seeking early to mid-career women researchers who meet most of the following criteria:
- Have completed or are currently enrolled in a graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field such as International Studies, Political Science, Gender Studies, Public Health, Sociology, Anthropology, or related disciplines
- Possess 3–10 years of research experience
- Have lived experience of displacement, forced migration, or statelessness
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to participatory, community-centered research methodologies
- Have experience working in or conducting research within displacement, migration, or humanitarian settings
- Are fluent in English
Women are strongly encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every requirement listed above.
Ideal Candidates Will Also:
- Have experience translating research into policy influence and advocacy
- Demonstrate strong writing skills for diverse audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and community stakeholders
- Be proficient in MS Office and qualitative or quantitative data analysis software
- Apply a clear gender justice and feminist lens to their work
Research Focus Areas
Fellows will conduct original research aligned with WRC’s mission. Applicants may select one of the themes below or propose an alternative topic that clearly advances gender justice in displacement contexts:
Key Research Themes Include:
- Redefining Protection: How displaced women define safety, dignity, and autonomy, and how these definitions can reshape humanitarian protection and GBV frameworks.
- Gender, Power, and Systems Change: Feminist, decolonial, and community-driven alternatives to traditional humanitarian systems.
- Reproductive Health and Bodily Autonomy: Access to reproductive healthcare, contraception, maternal health, abortion care, menstrual health, and informed decision-making in crisis settings.
- Dignified and Gender-Inclusive Self-Reliance: Barriers and enablers to sustainable, dignified livelihoods for displaced women across contexts.
- Rights and Justice: The impact of laws, policies, and government practices on protection, justice, and self-reliance for displaced, stateless, and migrant women.
WRC particularly welcomes research focused on displacement, migration, and statelessness in Afghanistan/Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central America, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Rohingya communities (Bangladesh/Myanmar), Sudan, and Syria.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following documents by February 9, 2026:
– Statement of Interest / Cover Letter (max. 800 words) including:
- Brief biography (200 words)
- Motivation for applying (300 words)
- Alignment with professional goals and personal experiences (300 words)
– CV/Resume (maximum 3 pages)
– Research Proposal (maximum 1,500 words), outlining:
- Research questions
- Significance and contribution to gender justice
- Methodology and ethical, participatory approaches
- Rationale (if proposing an alternative research topic)
– Two Writing Samples (maximum 50 pages combined), demonstrating independent or lead-authored research or analytical writing
– Two Professional References, including name, title, affiliation, and contact details
About the Women’s Refugee Commission
For over 35 years, the Women’s Refugee Commission has been a global leader in advancing the rights, health, and safety of displaced and migrant women and girls. WRC’s work is grounded in the belief that listening to women leads to better humanitarian solutions. Through research, advocacy, and partnerships with women-led and refugee-led organizations, WRC works to transform humanitarian systems to be more inclusive, effective, and just.
How to Apply
All application materials must be submitted by Monday, February 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.
Apply HERE
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