The EGRI Governance and Policy Leadership Fellowship 2026 is a six-month virtual fellowship and professional internship programme designed for emerging policy professionals who want practical experience working on governance and public policy issues. The programme combines structured learning with hands-on assignments and organisational contribution. Rather than functioning solely as an academic training programme, the fellowship gives participants opportunities to apply research, policy analysis, communication and teamwork skills through practical work within a Nigerian think tank. The 2026 cohort will consist of a maximum of 15 fellows, making the programme highly selective. Fellowship Overview The EGRI Governance and Policy Leadership Fellowship runs for six months, equivalent to 24 weeks, and is delivered fully online. During the programme, fellows will develop practical skills relevant to policy research and think tank work. Areas covered include researching public problems, analysing evidence, writing policy briefs, using data responsibly, communicating policy ideas to real audiences, working in teams and leading defined assignments. Participants will also gain exposure to institutional partnership development and resource mobilisation for policy work. The programme is therefore designed to help emerging professionals develop the practical capabilities required to contribute to a working policy research organisation. Learning and Professional Internship A key feature of the fellowship is its combination of training and professional internship experience. Every Saturday, fellows participate in a structured session led by an invited practitioner, researcher, policymaker, academic or subject-matter expert. These sessions provide participants with exposure to perspectives and practical knowledge from professionals working in relevant fields. Throughout the week, fellows are expected to apply what they learn through EGRI team assignments, research activities and live project work. This creates a continuous connection between learning and practical implementation across the full 24-week programme. Participants may also contribute to EGRI’s Election Integrity Research and Observation Partnership Project, providing an opportunity to gain practical exposure to research and project activities related to election integrity. What Fellows Can Gain By completing the programme, fellows are expected to develop a professional portfolio that demonstrates practical research and policy experience. The fellowship can provide exposure to: Policy and governance research; Evidence analysis and responsible data use; Policy brief writing; Professional policy communication; Team-based research and project delivery; Think tank operations; Institutional partnership development; Resource mobilisation for policy work; Leadership of defined assignments; and Practical contribution to live research projects. Participants will also complete a project contribution and gain hands-on experience within a Nigerian think tank. Programme Details The fellowship has a maximum cohort size of 15 fellows and runs for 24 weeks. Duration: Six monthsFormat: Fully virtualCohort size: Maximum 15 fellowsCost: Free to apply and participateCompensation: UnpaidApplication deadline: 30 September 2026Location: Virtual, with the programme organised by a Nigerian think tank As the fellowship is unpaid, prospective applicants should consider the time commitment and professional objectives of the programme before applying. Application Requirements Applicants are required to complete every field of the application form accurately and provide a CV where requested. The organisers state that incomplete applications will not be considered. Because the programme has a limited cohort of only 15 fellows, selection is competitive. Applicants should therefore ensure that all required information is provided before submitting the application. They should also review their CV and application responses carefully to ensure that they accurately present their relevant education, experience, interests and professional goals. How to Apply Interested applicants should complete the official EGRI Governance and Policy Leadership Fellowship application form before the 30 September 2026 deadline. Applicants should complete all required fields and attach their CV where requested. The programme is free to apply for and participate in, although the fellowship itself is unpaid. VISIT OFFICIAL APPLICATION FORM TO APPLY Applicants should verify the application requirements and submission details directly through the official application form before submitting their information. Important Information The EGRI Governance and Policy Leadership Fellowship is presented as both a professional learning programme and internship. Participants should therefore be prepared to engage consistently throughout the six-month period, including Saturday learning sessions and weekday assignments, research activities and project work. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.