Creating the next generation of early career clinical, academic and lived-experience leaders in youth mental health

This fellowship is aimed at identifying emerging leaders in child and adolescent mental health in Pakistan, Indonesia and Colombia. It provides world-class training, mentorship, networking, and hands-on global mental health research opportunities to early-career professionals across selected low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Fellows are expected to make a meaningful impact in their communities through advocacy, research, and clinical care.

The fellowship is designed and implemented by Global Institute of Human Development (GIHD) at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan, in collaboration with 
The George Washington University, USA, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia, Universidad de los Andes, Colombia, & The Global Health Network.

Who Can Apply?

• A mental health clinician (early-career psychiatrist or psychologist), early-career academic in mental health, allied health professional, or someone who works with young people in health or education to promote their social-emotional wellbeing
• A professional who completed at least 16 years of education and/or has no more than 5 years of work experience in mental health
• A young person with lived experience of mental health problems
• Available to commit full-time for at least 12 months (1 June 2026 – 30 May 2027)
• Based in Pakistan, Indonesia, or Colombia

What Does the Fellowship Offer?

• A fellowship stipend, research and learning support costs, and travel support grants, consistent with the Terms and Conditions of host institutions
• Structured training curriculum on foundations of global mental health, research design, ethics and safeguarding, community and policy engagement, designing and conducting randomized controlled trials, data analysis, risk prediction, and publication and dissemination
• Hands-on research experience  Fellows will work full-time as part of the research team under faculty supervision and mentorship.
• Capacity building Opportunities in Grant Writing and Publication: Structured training in the form of workshops on grant writing and publications by established global mental health leaders.
• Global mentoring — fellows will be matched with mentors from Pakistan, Indonesia, and Colombia, as well as with experts in global mental health
• Collaborative learning and networking — structured peer writing groups, cross-country knowledge exchange, and connection with The Global Health Network across 180+ countries
• Global Recognition and Certification: Upon successful completion of 12 months of fellowship as per the terms and conditions of the fellowship program, the fellows will receive a certificate of completion from Global Mental Health Equity Lab, George Washington University.

Application Timeline 2026

• April 20, 2026 — Applications open
• May 11, 2026 — Submission deadline (5 pm local time, Pakistan, Indonesia and Colombia)
• May 18, 2026 — Shortlisted candidates informed
• May 25, 2026 — Interviews
• May 29, 2026 — Final decisions communicated
• June 1, 2026 — Fellowship start date

Apply Now →

Program Supervisors and Mentors

Fellowship Director

Country Supervisors

International Academic & Research Mentors

UN, Global Health Policy Experts

Lived Experience Mentors

Contact

For any information, email info@gihd.edu.pk with the subject: "Global Youth Mental Health Research Fellowship 2026"