Summer Research Fellowships in Sierra Leone 

With support from the Africa Initiative at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs,  two summer 2026 research fellowships are available with the Sierra Leonean non governmental organization, Focus 1000. Focus 1000 concentrates mainly in public health programs, and especially on maternal and child health. The organization works in close  collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and other local and international NGOs. Much of their work includes a significant research component. The Brown research fellows will  be assigned to an existing Focus 1000 project where they will contribute to research-related activities ranging from data collection and analysis to publication, and with an emphasis on  translating data into policy recommendations and programmatic interventions. 

The research fellows’ job descriptions will emphasize contributing to the public health and development mission and research priorities of Focus 1000 and its partners, but opportunities  may arise for fellows to utilize Focus 1000 data for their own research, such as for an undergraduate senior honors thesis, a master’s thesis, or even a PhD dissertation. These research fellowships will be for 8-10 weeks (a minimum commitment of 8 weeks is required),  June – August 2026. 

The Africa Initiative and Focus 1000 will cover the two selected fellows’ travel costs and living  expenses in Sierra Leone. The fellows will also be provided with a stipend such that all applicants, including students with a summer earnings obligation as part of their financial aid package, should be eligible to participate. 

Interested Brown University students should apply using this form. Eligible applicants include  both undergraduate and graduate students at Brown University whose programs continue through the 2026-27 academic year or longer, as well as those graduating with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in 2026. Among the criteria for selection are demonstrated interests in public health, development, and related policymaking issues; interest in Africa; relevant skills, which  may include laboratory experience, statistical or qualitative data analysis; and grant writing and/or academic/publication writing experience. Previous experience in lower income countries is welcome, but not required. 

Applications are due no later than February 18, 2026. Selections will be finalized by March 20, 2026.