The Global Heumann Fellowship, run by the World Institute on Disability (WID) to honour co-founder Judy Heumann, funds disability advocates worldwide to lead research in their own region for a year, part-time and online.
Fellows research a focus area set for each cohort, write a white paper WID publishes and produce multimedia work. Calls opened in November 2023 and January 2025; no call for a 2026–2027 cohort has been posted and the form is closed.
Benefits & funding
- US$20,000 stipend, paid in four instalments as each quarter’s agreed deliverables are received.
- US$10,000 in reimbursements for research expenses.
- Twelve-month term, about 20 hours a week, fully remote.
Eligibility
- Open worldwide; you must already have the right to work where you will be based (no visa or relocation sponsorship).
- At least three years of relevant work in the disability rights movement, plus advocacy experience on global disability rights issues.
- Sign language or spoken English, and a high level of comfort writing in English.
- About 20 hours a week all year; working in disability rights now or planning to after the fellowship.
- Individuals only; team applications are not accepted.
- Non-disabled applicants may apply with disability-field experience; lived disability experience and a bachelor’s-equivalent degree are preferred, not required.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Experience required
≥ 3 yrs
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Application process
- 1Pick one of the cohort’s focus areas (2025–2026: inclusive early warnings, accessible AI and technology, disability-led systemic change).
- 2Write a personal statement (3,000 characters) and a research executive summary (4,000 characters) with at least one learning objective.
- 3Submit one application, in English, on WID’s online form; attachments and emailed material are not considered, and no recommendation letters are needed.
- 42025 deadline: 28 February, 11:59 pm Pacific Time (main page) or 23:59 EST (application preview).
Program timeline
Applications opened (2025–2026 cohort)
Jan 1, 2025
Application deadline
Feb 28, 2025
Decisions emailed
By Jun 2, 2025
Fellowship starts
Jul 1, 2025
Fellowship ends
Jun 30, 2026