Partners for Public Good (PPG) is inviting applications for its Research Fellowship, a six-month, project-based opportunity for early-career researchers interested in improving government effectiveness through evidence, policy research and applied analysis.
The part-time fellowship is remote within the United States, requires access to a major U.S. airport for travel, and involves 15–25 hours of work per week. Fellows will receive US$50 per hour, with benefits provided where required by applicable state or local law. The desired start date is October 2026, and applications must be submitted by September 28, 2026.
Importantly, PPG states that it cannot provide visa sponsorship, and applicants must currently be legally authorised to work in the United States.
About Partners for Public Good
Partners for Public Good is a nonpartisan organisation that works alongside state and local governments to strengthen the operational systems that determine whether public policy delivers results for residents.
Its work covers areas including public procurement, staffing, budgeting and technology. Rather than only providing recommendations, PPG works directly with government teams during implementation to help ensure that meaningful improvements are achieved.
Through applied research and its Procurement Excellence Network, which brings together more than 3,000 government professionals, PPG translates lessons from individual governments into knowledge and practical tools that can be used across jurisdictions.
About the Research Fellowship
The six-month fellowship is designed for researchers who want to apply rigorous research methods to real-world government challenges. Fellows will conduct policy-relevant research, collect and analyse data, and contribute to publications and other public-facing outputs.
Participants will work on a defined research project under the guidance of PPG staff and alongside two other fellows. The programme combines independent research with coaching calls, research team meetings, professional development and mentorship.
Each fellow will also participate in an in-person research retreat.
The fellowship is open to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career faculty, research and policy professionals, and other candidates with comparable experience.
Research Topics
Fellows can choose from five priority research areas.
Understanding Public Procurement Through Municipal Data will examine publicly available information on local government procurement across U.S. cities and explore how governments purchase goods and services.
The Compliance Web: Layered Governance and Local Implementation will investigate how federal, state and local laws, regulations and funding requirements influence government implementation and administrative capacity.
Emerging Technology and Government Operations will explore how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are being used by state and local governments and what these technologies reveal about government operations and organisational capacity.
Innovative Approaches to Public Purchasing will examine emerging procurement practices, particularly cooperative purchasing, and assess their implications for efficiency, market participation and the public procurement ecosystem.
Building Local Capacity for Stormwater Management will explore how communities develop and finance stormwater management capacity in response to infrastructure and climate resilience needs.
Fellowship Deliverables
Each fellow will be expected to complete approximately two to three deliverables during the programme. Depending on the selected research project, these may include a literature review, a dataset compiled from publicly available information, a dataset based on primary research, survey or interview instruments, a draft publication, policy brief or conference submission.
Fellows will receive support in translating their research into publications and policy-oriented outputs that can strengthen both the evidence base for government reform and their professional research portfolios.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants may be affiliated with a university, think tank, nonprofit organisation, research institution or policy organisation and may maintain that affiliation throughout the fellowship. Independent applicants without an institutional affiliation are also eligible to apply, provided they can meet the programme’s time and deliverable requirements.
The fellowship is particularly suited to candidates with research, policy analysis, data collection, qualitative or quantitative research, public administration, public policy or related experience.
Compensation and Benefits
Selected fellows will work 15–25 hours per week and receive US$50 per hour. Benefits will be provided where required by applicable state or local law.
The desired fellowship start date is October 2026, with the programme running for six months.
Eligibility and Work Authorisation
The fellowship is remote but is limited to candidates who are legally authorised to work in the United States. PPG explicitly states that it is unable to provide visa sponsorship.
Applicants should therefore confirm their current U.S. work authorisation before applying. The position also requires access to a major U.S. airport because fellows will be expected to travel for the in-person research retreat.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the following materials by September 28, 2026:
- A resume or CV of no more than two pages.
- A letter of interest of no more than two pages addressing the applicant’s preferred research project, qualifications and proposed approach. Candidates interested in two projects may submit up to three pages and must identify their top choice.
- A work sample, which may be a published or under-review research paper or another product demonstrating relevant research skills and expertise.
PPG will review applications on a rolling basis, but applications received by close of business on September 28, 2026, will be considered.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
Why This Fellowship Is Valuable
The PPG Research Fellowship offers early-career researchers an opportunity to work on practical policy questions affecting local government effectiveness. Participants will gain experience in applied research, data analysis, policy writing and evidence-based government reform while receiving mentorship from experienced practitioners.
The opportunity can be particularly valuable for researchers seeking to strengthen their publication portfolio, develop policy research skills and build experience connecting academic or analytical work with real-world government challenges.
