The Global Health Network has announced applications for the Global Youth Mental Health Research Fellowship 2026, an international training and research programme designed to support the next generation of leaders in youth mental health. The fellowship targets emerging professionals and individuals with lived experience from Pakistan, Indonesia, and Colombia, offering world-class mentorship, research training, and global collaboration opportunities in mental health research and advocacy. Applications close on 11 May 2026. About the Fellowship The Global Youth Mental Health Research Fellowship is designed to strengthen leadership and research capacity in child and adolescent mental health across selected low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The programme is led by the Global Institute of Human Development (GIHD) at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University in collaboration with several international academic and research institutions. Partner institutions include: The George Washington University Universitas Gadjah Mada Universidad de los Andes The Global Health Network The fellowship combines academic training, practical research experience, mentoring, and cross-country collaboration to help fellows contribute meaningfully to mental health research, policy, and community engagement. Fellowship Objectives The programme seeks to build a new generation of clinical, academic, and lived-experience leaders working in youth mental health. Fellows are expected to: Advance research in child and adolescent mental health Support advocacy and community engagement initiatives Strengthen mental health systems and evidence-based practice Promote social-emotional wellbeing among young people Contribute to global mental health collaboration and knowledge exchange Who Can Apply? The fellowship is open to early-career professionals and individuals with lived experience who are committed to improving youth mental health outcomes. Eligible applicants include: Early-career psychiatrists or psychologists Allied health professionals Early-career academics in mental health Professionals working with young people in health or education settings Young people with lived experience of mental health conditions Applicants must: Have completed at least 16 years of education Possess no more than five years of work experience in mental health Be based in Pakistan, Indonesia, or Colombia Be available to commit full-time from 1 June 2026 to 30 May 2027 What the Fellowship Offers Financial Support Selected fellows will receive: A fellowship stipend Research and learning support Travel support grants Funding will be provided according to the terms and conditions of host institutions. Structured Training Curriculum The fellowship includes comprehensive training in key areas of global mental health research and practice, including: Global mental health foundations Research methods and study design Ethics and safeguarding Community and policy engagement Randomized controlled trials Data analysis and risk prediction Publication and dissemination strategies Hands-On Research Experience Fellows will work full-time within active research teams under faculty supervision and mentorship. This practical experience is designed to strengthen technical and leadership skills in mental health research. Grant Writing and Publications Training Participants will receive additional workshops focused on: Academic publishing Grant proposal development Scientific communication These sessions will be led by established global mental health experts. Global Mentorship and Networking Each fellow will be paired with mentors from participating countries and international institutions, creating opportunities for professional guidance and global collaboration. The programme also supports: Cross-country knowledge exchange Peer writing groups International networking through The Global Health Network Certification Participants who successfully complete the 12-month programme will receive a certificate of completion from the Global Mental Health Equity Lab at The George Washington University. Key Dates for the 2026 Fellowship Application Timeline 20 April 2026 — Applications open 11 May 2026 — Application deadline (5 pm local time) 18 May 2026 — Shortlisted candidates notified 25 May 2026 — Interviews conducted 29 May 2026 — Final decisions communicated 1 June 2026 — Fellowship begins Programme Mentors and Supervisors The fellowship brings together leading experts in global mental health, research, policy, and lived experience advocacy. The programme is directed by: Dr. Syed Usman Hamdani International mentors include academics and researchers from institutions such as: King’s College London Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UNICEF The fellowship also includes lived-experience mentors who contribute practical perspectives on mental health advocacy and recovery. How to Apply Interested candidates can submit applications through the fellowship portal: Global Youth Mental Health Research Fellowship Application For additional enquiries, applicants may contact: Applicants are advised to use the subject line: “Global Youth Mental Health Research Fellowship 2026” Final Thoughts The Global Youth Mental Health Research Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for emerging professionals and advocates to gain international research experience, mentorship, and leadership development in the growing field of youth mental health. By connecting fellows across multiple countries and institutions, the programme aims to strengthen locally grounded yet globally connected approaches to mental health research and care for young people. LEARN MORE & APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.