Samuel Fellows in Belonging Research Fellowship
- Organization: Belonging Forum (formerly the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness)
- Type: Fellowship
- Location: Global
- Deadline: October 19, 2026
- Funding: Fully Funded
The Belonging Forum, the Canadian charity founded by Kim Samuel and formerly called the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, pairs each Samuel Fellow with a partner organisation for an eight month, part-time applied research project on social isolation and belonging. The 2027 partners include Human Rights Watch, Special Olympics International, ARCH Disability Law Centre, the Tamarack Institute, Serve the City Belgium, Connected North and the Inside-Out Center. You apply to one specific project, and fellows are paid a bursary for the work. **What you get:** - A fellowship bursary paid in four instalments, made up of a living support stipend and a project expenses budget - The stipend is calculated on the cost of living where you are based and the hours you commit; the total is shared before you accept - A research budget you manage yourself, with no receipts required, covering things like research travel, transcription, accessibility supports and participant honoraria - Mentorship from the partner organisation, Belonging Forum managers, fellowship alumni and Belonging Lab researchers - Orientation, research workshops and regular cohort calls - Your final output published on the Belonging Forum website and promoted on its social channels **What you'll do:** - Carry out one partner's research project part-time from February 8 to October 29, 2027, on a schedule agreed with the partner - Write a work plan and budget, a 500 to 1,000 word opinion piece, and a final output in a creative, advocacy or academic research stream - Present your findings to the cohort at the end of the programme - Examples of 2027 projects: research for a UN treaty on older people's rights with Human Rights Watch, a storytelling series on family coaches with Special Olympics, and measuring how volunteering builds belonging with Serve the City Belgium **Key dates:** - Applications close October 19, 2026 at 12:00 noon Toronto time - Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview - Fellowship runs February 8 to October 29, 2027 **More information:** - Each partner project has its own description PDF and its own application form, linked from the application page - Have your resume and cover letter ready to upload as PDFs before you start the form - Only candidates selected for interview are contacted - Questions go to scfellowship@belongingforum.org
