Georgetown University Global Frontline Leaders Program 2027

Georgetown University’s Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues invites applications for its 2027 Global Frontline Leaders Program, an international professional development opportunity for people working to improve mental health and psychosocial support for children, families and communities.

The 2027 cohort will focus on mental health and psychosocial support, commonly known as MHPSS, in settings affected by conflict, displacement, climate pressures, extreme poverty and other crises. The programme seeks to connect experienced professionals who are developing practical responses to these challenges and help them share knowledge, strengthen their work and influence wider systems of care.

Running from February to November 2027, the programme will bring together practitioners, researchers and policymakers from different regions. Participation is fully virtual, allowing selected participants to join from anywhere in the world while continuing their professional work. Participants who complete the programme receive a US$7,500 stipend, paid in two instalments linked to programme deliverables.

About the Global Frontline Leaders Program

The Global Frontline Leaders Program is an initiative of Georgetown University’s Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues. It connects professionals working directly on challenges affecting children and families, with the aim of ensuring that practical knowledge and locally developed solutions inform broader policies and systems.

For the 2027 cohort, the programme will explore how communities can improve access to mental health care and psychosocial support, especially where specialist services are limited or difficult to access.

Across many countries, community health workers, lay counsellors, teachers, faith based organisations and local service providers help children and families manage distress and recover from difficult experiences. Researchers and policymakers also play important roles by evaluating interventions, developing guidance and strengthening systems that connect communities to appropriate services.

The programme will bring these perspectives together to examine what works, how successful approaches can be adapted to different settings, and how mental health support can be integrated into healthcare, education, social protection and community services.

Programme Benefits

Selected participants can benefit from the following:

• US$7,500 stipend: Participants who complete the programme receive a stipend paid in two instalments, with each instalment linked to a programme deliverable.

• International professional network: Connect with practitioners, researchers and policymakers working on child and family wellbeing in different regions.

• Mentorship and leadership coaching: Receive individual guidance tailored to professional goals and current work.

• Monthly virtual workshops: Learn through expert presentations, case studies, discussions and peer exchange.

• Professional development: Strengthen skills in documenting frontline approaches, evaluating evidence and communicating lessons to wider audiences.

• Collaborative publication: Work with fellow cohort members to co author a paper highlighting promising approaches and lessons from frontline practice.

• International knowledge sharing: Present findings through a webinar hosted by Georgetown University’s Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues.

• Long term professional connections: Join a community of programme alumni and other professionals committed to improving outcomes for children and families.

The stipend is linked to completing programme requirements. Applicants should review the official programme information to understand the deliverables and expectations associated with each payment.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is intended for experienced professionals who are actively working to improve mental health and psychosocial support for children, families and communities.

Eligible professional groups include:

• Practitioners: People leading or delivering community based, humanitarian, health, education or faith based initiatives that support children and families.

• Researchers: Professionals studying mental health interventions, psychosocial support, community responses or the effectiveness of services for children and families.

• Policymakers: Individuals working on policies, strategies or systems that influence access to mental health and psychosocial support.

Applicants should have practical experience related to the 2027 theme and be able to explain how their work contributes to improving outcomes for children, families or communities.

A key requirement is that applicants must be currently working on a relevant MHPSS project. Applicants whose projects have recently ended may request an exemption, but Georgetown states that such exemptions are reviewed individually and are granted rarely.

Applicants must also be proficient in English. English proficiency test scores are required unless English is the applicant’s first language.

The programme is open to participants worldwide, and no general nationality restriction is stated on the official programme page.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare the following materials and information:

• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

• English proficiency test results, if applicable.

• Information about their current project related to mental health and psychosocial support.

• Information about their organisation’s child protection policy.

• Contact details for three professional references.

Letters of recommendation are not required when submitting the initial application. If an application advances to a later stage, Georgetown may contact the references for additional information or request a confidential letter.

The selection process includes an initial eligibility screening, expert review, a virtual panel interview of approximately 30 minutes for leading candidates, and reference checks where appropriate.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should complete the online application through Georgetown University’s official programme website.

1. Read the official programme details. Visit the Global Frontline Leaders page and review the focus of the 2027 cohort, eligibility requirements, participation expectations and application guidance.
2. Confirm your eligibility. Ensure that you are an experienced practitioner, researcher or policymaker currently working on a relevant mental health and psychosocial support project. Check the English language requirements.
3. Prepare your documents. Update your resume or curriculum vitae, gather any required English test scores and prepare information about your current project and your organisation’s child protection policy.
4. Identify your references. Prepare contact details for three references who can speak to your professional experience. Initial recommendation letters are not required.
5. Complete the online application. Access the official application form at the link below. You will need to sign in with a Google account, and your email address will be collected automatically.
6. Submit before the deadline. Ensure that all required materials, including applicable English proficiency test scores, reach Georgetown by November 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.