Let me be honest with you: fellowships like this don’t come around often. A $60,000 stipend, a four-month residency at one of the world’s leading philanthropy schools, access to world-class research infrastructure, and a front-row seat at the Giving Institute’s flagship events? That’s not just a fellowship — that’s a career-defining year.
The Global Philanthropy Fellowship 2026–27 at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy just opened applications, and the window closes on April 25, 2026. Whether you’ve been eyeing this opportunity for months or stumbled across it today, this guide will walk you through everything: who can apply, what the money actually covers, how the selection works, and what you can do right now to put together a compelling application.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stipend | $60,000 — fully funded |
| Residency | 4+ months in Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Deadline | April 25, 2026 |
| Announcement | May 30, 2026 — winner notified |
| Program Start | August 1, 2026 |
| Spots Available | 1 — highly competitive |
So, what exactly is the Global Philanthropy Fellowship?
Think of it as a researcher-in-residence program with serious institutional weight behind it. Co-funded by the Giving USA Foundation and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the fellowship places one scholar inside the school’s research ecosystem — specifically alongside the Global Philanthropy Indices and Giving USA research teams.
This isn’t a passive gig where you sit in a corner and write. You’ll actively contribute to ongoing research products, conduct your own comparative and cross-national philanthropy research, and present findings at two high-profile Giving Institute events: the November meeting and the Summer Symposium. That kind of exposure? You can’t buy it.
“The fellow will contribute to building the global field of philanthropy research — and enhance the impact of their research within their home communities and worldwide.”
Who is eligible to apply?
Here’s the good news: the eligibility bar is set to invite serious researchers, but it’s not unreachably high. You’re in the running if you:
- Hold at least a master’s degree (doctoral and post-doc candidates are explicitly welcome)
- Have experience in global philanthropy research — this isn’t entry-level
- Can spend at least four months in Indianapolis between August 2026 and May 2027
- Are interested in comparative, cross-national, or civil society research
- Are an international applicant — the fellowship actively seeks global perspectives
Notably, the fellowship is open to international researchers. In fact, it thrives on diverse geographic perspectives. If you’re based in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, or anywhere outside the United States, your global lens is a feature, not a footnote.
Is the $60,000 stipend actually enough to live on?
Let’s talk money — because that’s what everyone wants to know, and no one wants to ask out loud.
The $60,000 stipend is designed to cover your round-trip travel to Indianapolis, your cost of living during the residency, and health insurance. Indianapolis is, by US standards, a genuinely affordable city. Compared to New York, San Francisco, or even Chicago, your dollar goes much further here.
What the stipend covers:
Travel costs to and from Indianapolis · Cost of living expenses during residency · Health insurance coverage
For international researchers, this is particularly meaningful — the travel reimbursement element alone can be substantial. The school isn’t asking you to fund your own transatlantic flight out of pocket.
What does daily life as a Fellow actually look like?
Picture this: you wake up in Indianapolis — a city with a surprisingly vibrant cultural scene, walkable neighborhoods, and a cost of living that won’t drain your savings — and head to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy campus at IUPUI.
Your days blend independent research with collaborative work alongside some of the most respected philanthropy scholars in the world. You’ll tap into Indiana University’s extensive library systems (genuinely impressive for academic research), benefit from faculty mentorship, and contribute meaningfully to the school’s signature research products like the Global Philanthropy Indices.
Outside of the formal residency period, you have flexibility. The four-month minimum on-campus requirement means you can structure the remaining time around your existing commitments.
The selection timeline — what to expect
- April 2, 2026
- Applications officially open
- April 25, 2026
- Application deadline — no extensions expected
- Late April – May 2026
- Review of applications and shortlisting of finalists
- May 30, 2026
- Selected Fellow officially announced
- August 1, 2026
- Fellowship program commences
- Nov 2026 & Summer 2027
- Fellow presents at Giving Institute events
How to write a research proposal that actually stands out
Here’s where most applicants either nail it or sink themselves. The research proposal isn’t just a formality — it’s your argument for why your research belongs inside this particular ecosystem.
The school is looking for scholars whose work advances comparative and cross-national understanding of philanthropy and civil society. So your proposal needs to clearly articulate: What are you studying? Why does it matter globally? And — critically — how does working alongside the Global Philanthropy Indices team accelerate your work in ways that wouldn’t be possible elsewhere?
A strong proposal typically does three things well: it’s specific about methodology, it’s honest about what the fellowship infrastructure uniquely enables, and it connects individual research ambitions to the broader field-building mission of the school.
Tips for a competitive application
- Tailor your CV to highlight cross-national or comparative research experience — generic academic CVs won’t cut it here
- Be specific in your proposal about the research question, not just a vague theme
- Show your knowledge of the Global Philanthropy Indices and Giving USA Foundation’s existing work
- Address the residency directly — demonstrate you can realistically be in Indianapolis for four months
- Highlight your network in civil society, nonprofits, or philanthropy research in your home region.
Frequently asked questions
Here’s the FAQ section written out as clean blog copy:
Can international researchers apply?
Absolutely yes — and you’re genuinely encouraged to. The fellowship is built around global perspectives, and the $60,000 stipend explicitly includes travel costs to and from Indianapolis to make international participation financially feasible. Your home region’s context isn’t a disadvantage; it’s exactly what the program is looking for.
Do I need a PhD to apply?
No. A master’s degree is the minimum requirement. That said, doctoral candidates and post-doctoral researchers are also welcome to apply. What matters more than the specific credential is your demonstrated experience in global philanthropy research. If your work is serious and your proposal is strong, the degree level alone won’t hold you back.
Is the entire fellowship year spent in Indianapolis?
Not necessarily. The requirement is a minimum of four months on campus in Indianapolis, within the period of August 2026 to May 2027. The rest of the time — you have flexibility. Many fellows balance the residency with existing commitments at their home institutions or in their home countries.
What kind of research topics are a good fit?
Think comparative, cross-national, and civil society-focused work. Topics like global giving trends, community philanthropy, nonprofit performance, and philanthropy in emerging economies all sit squarely within the fellowship’s scope. The strongest proposals are ones that don’t just fit — they add something to the school’s ongoing Global Philanthropy Indices and Giving USA research. Show how your work and their infrastructure make each other better.
What does the $60,000 stipend actually cover?
The stipend is designed to cover three main things: your travel costs to and from Indianapolis, your cost of living during the residency period, and health insurance. Indianapolis is one of the more affordable major US cities, so the stipend goes further here than it would in most American university cities. For international applicants especially, the travel reimbursement component is a meaningful part of the package.
Who are shortlisted finalists notified, and when is the final selection announced?
The application deadline is April 25, 2026. After that, the review and shortlisting process takes place through May. The selected Fellow is officially announced by May 30, 2026, with the program starting August 1, 2026.
What happens at the Giving Institute events, and do I have to present?
Yes — presenting is part of the fellowship, and honestly, it’s one of the most valuable parts. Fellows are invited to present their research at the November Giving Institute meeting and at the Giving Institute Summer Symposium. These are high-visibility gatherings of philanthropy professionals and researchers. Think of it less as a requirement and more as two career-accelerating moments built right into the fellowship year.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the application?
Reach out directly to Nathan Koeshall, Project Management Specialist, at nkoeshal@iu.edu. He’s the right person for questions about the application process, eligibility clarifications, or anything else before you submit.
Meet the current Fellow: a glimpse of what’s possible
The 2025–26 Global Philanthropy Fellow is Dr. Dana R. H. Doan, who is simultaneously serving as Director of the Global Philanthropy Indices — which tells you a lot about the caliber of scholar this program attracts and develops. Dana’s background spans social purpose organizations across the US, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, with research interests in community philanthropy, community-led development, and nonprofit performance evaluation.
That’s the kind of trajectory this fellowship can support. Dr. Doan didn’t just attend a conference — she leads one of the field’s most important research initiatives.
Ready to apply?
Applications close April 25, 2026. Don’t let this one pass you by.Open the application form ↗ Get help with my proposal ↗
Sources: Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy official announcement, April 2, 2026. Application form: forms.gle/KR6qnkrgsiNFmZ9w7. For questions contact Nathan Koeshall at nkoeshal@iu.edu.
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