Global Youth Mental Health Research Fellowship

1. Overview of the Fellowship

The Global Youth Mental Health Research Fellowship is a 12-month, full-time program designed to identify and support emerging leaders in child and adolescent mental health selected low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Pakistan, Indonesia, and Colombia. The fellowship provides structured training, mentorship, and hands-on research opportunities aimed at strengthening research capacity and advancing youth mental health outcomes.

Fellows will work as integral members of research teams, contributing to ongoing projects while developing independent research, leadership, and implementation skills.

2. Fellowship Duration and Commitment

The fellowship will run from June 1, 2026, to May 30, 2027.

Fellows are required to:

• Commit full-time engagement (approximately 35–40 hours per week)
• Participate in all required training, mentorship sessions, and program activities
• Engage in research, capacity-building, and dissemination activities as assigned

Failure to meet minimum participation requirements may result in termination of the fellowship.

3. Eligibility and Selection

Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria at the time of application, including:

• Being based in an eligible LMIC (Pakistan, Indonesia, or Colombia)
• Having completed a minimum of 16 years of education or demonstrating equivalent professional experience
• Having no more than 5 years of relevant work experience (except for lived experience track candidates)
• Demonstrating commitment to youth mental health research, practice, or advocacy

Selection will be conducted through a competitive, merit-based process, including:

• Application review
• Shortlisting
• Interview assessment

Final decisions will be made by the Fellowship Selection Committee and are not subject to appeal.

4. Fellowship Structure and Responsibilities

Fellows will engage in the following core components:

4.1 Training and Learning

Participation in a structured curriculum covering:

• Foundations of global mental health
• Research methods and study design
• Ethics and safeguarding
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Knowledge translation and dissemination

4.2 Research Engagement

Fellows will:

• Contribute to ongoing research projects under supervision
• Participate in data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Engage in collaborative research activities across countries

Deliverables

Fellows are expected to:

• Contribute to research outputs (reports, manuscripts, policy briefs)
• Participate in dissemination activities
• Complete all required program assignments

4.3 Mentorship

Each fellow will be assigned:

• A primary mentor
• Additional subject-specific mentors

Fellows are expected to:

• Attend scheduled mentorship sessions
• Actively engage in feedback and supervision processes

5. Financial Support

Fellows will receive:

• A monthly stipend (as per host institution policies)
• Research and learning support
• Travel grants, where applicable

Payments will be contingent upon:

• Active participation
• Satisfactory performance
• Compliance with fellowship requirements

The fellowship does not constitute employment and does not include employee benefits unless specified by host institutions.

6. Code of Conduct and Professional Expectations

Fellows are required to:

• Maintain professional conduct at all times
• Respect diversity, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity
• Uphold ethical standards in research and practice
• Comply with institutional policies and safeguarding protocols

Any form of misconduct, including harassment, discrimination, or breach of ethics, may result in immediate termination.

7. Safeguarding and Ethical Compliance

Fellows must:

• Complete required safeguarding and ethics training
• Adhere to all ethical guidelines for research involving human participants
• Ensure confidentiality and data protection

All research activities must be approved by relevant ethical review boards where required.

8. Intellectual Property and Publications

All research outputs developed during the fellowship:

• Will be governed by the policies of the host institution and collaborating partners
• Must appropriately acknowledge the fellowship program and supporting institutions

Fellows must:

• Seek approval before publication or dissemination of project related activities.
• Follow authorship and data-sharing guidelines

9. Attendance and Performance Monitoring

Fellows' performance will be assessed through:

• Regular mentor evaluations
• Progress reports
• Participation in program activities

Fellows must:

• Maintain satisfactory attendance
• Meet agreed milestones and deliverables

Failure to meet expectations may lead to probation or termination.

10. Leave Policy

Fellows are entitled to:

• A limited number of leave days (as defined by host institution policy)

All leave must:

• Be approved in advance
• Not interfere with key fellowship activities

Extended or unapproved absence may result in termination.

11. Termination, Withdrawal or Discontinuation

In the event that a fellow's participation in the fellowship is terminated or discontinued, the following conditions will apply:

a. Certification

Fellows who do not successfully complete the full duration of the fellowship and meet all program requirements will not be eligible to receive a certificate of completion.

b. Reimbursement of Funds

The institution reserves the right to require partial or full reimbursement of funds (including stipend and research or travel grants) under the following circumstances:

• Proven misconduct, including ethical violations or breach of safeguarding protocols
• Misrepresentation or falsification of information during application or participation
• Failure to comply with fellowship requirements despite formal warnings
• Unauthorized or unjustified discontinuation of the fellowship

c. Exemptions

Reimbursement will not normally be required in cases of:

• Serious illness or medical conditions
• Family emergencies or exceptional personal circumstances
• Other cases deemed valid by the Fellowship Committee

Such cases will be reviewed individually, and decisions will be made at the discretion of the fellowship leadership.

d. Determination and Process

Any decision regarding reimbursement will:

• Be made by the Fellowship Committee
• Be communicated formally in writing
• Include clear justification and, where applicable, repayment terms

12. Certification and Completion

Fellows will receive a certificate upon:

• Successful completion of the full fellowship duration
• Fulfillment of all program requirements

Certification will be issued by designated partner institutions.

13. Data Protection and Confidentiality

All personal and research data will be:

• Handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations
• Used only for fellowship-related purposes

Fellows must maintain strict confidentiality regarding:

• Participant data
• Institutional information
• Research findings (prior to publication)

14. Amendments to the Fellowship

The fellowship organizers reserve the right to:

• Modify program structure or content
• Update policies and requirements

Any changes will be communicated to fellows in a timely manner.

15. Liability and Disclaimer

The organizing institutions are not liable for:

• Personal injury or loss during fellowship activities
• Delays or disruptions due to unforeseen circumstances

Fellows are responsible for:

• Their own insurance, if required
• Compliance with local laws and regulations

16. Acceptance of Terms

By accepting the fellowship offer, fellows agree to:

• Comply with all terms and conditions outlined above
• Uphold the values and objectives of the fellowship program