Inclusive Policy Fellowship 2026 is open for applications!

3 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Future Forum is now accepting applications for the Inclusive Policy Fellowship 2026

The Inclusive Policy Fellowship 2026 (IPF2026) is a rigorous, output-driven fellowship cohort for those dedicated to policy thinking, research, and writing at Future Forum, Cambodia's independent policy think tank. Applicants will be considered for Junior Research Fellow (JRF) or Research Fellow (RF) roles based on their education, experience, and research outputs. The IPF2026 will commence in June 2026 and conclude in March 2027 with the primary support from the Government of Australia through The Asia Foundation's Ponlok Chomnes II program.

This Fellowship is founded on a strong commitment to Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). Primarily, we encourage applications from women, gender-diverse individuals, persons with disabilities, indigenous and ethnic minority communities, and other underrepresented groups. Importantly, fellows are expected to apply an inclusive, equity-focused approach in their research and help develop more responsive and accountable policy solutions.

Job summary

Building on the success of the inaugural IPF 2025 (IPF2025), Future Forum seeks the next generation of visionary thinkers for the Inclusive Policy Fellowship 2026 (IPF2026). Supported by the Government of Australia through The Asia Foundation’s Ponlok Chomnes II (PCII) programme, IPF2026 runs from 13 June 2026 to 27 March 2027. As global and regional dynamics reshape governance landscapes, Cambodia requires policy responses that are technically sound, adaptive, and forward-looking. This fellowship is an agile, intensive incubator designed to equip up to 20 Cambodian researchers to produce the value-added, forward-looking Policy Briefs and Commentaries needed to drive systemic change.

Your expertise

Junior Research Fellows and Research Fellows to focus on key domains shaping Cambodia’s trajectory. Proposals must align with one of the following areas:

Transportation Policy;

Energy Policy;

Urban Planning and Housing Policy;

Climate and Environment Policy;

Water & Food Security Policy;

Education Policy;

Public Health Policy;

GEDSI and Social Welfare Policy;

Skill & Labor Policy;

Trade Policy Development Policy;

Fiscal Policy / Public Finance;

Foreign and Security Policy;

Public Administration Reform Policy;

Digital Policy

Our offers

Enhance your policy research skills with practical training in systems thinking, design thinking, foresight, and political economy analysis. These frameworks will help you address complex governance challenges.
Receive financial support that fairly compensates your time and effort in producing comprehensive Policy Briefs and rapid-response Commentaries.
Benefit from constructive bi-weekly Ideation sessions to carefully refine ideas and conduct policy drills.
Benefit from monthly Refresher training sessions and HelpDesks mentorship (structured alongside four main themes of our horizontal support system: Policy Analysis and Foresight, Inclusive Research Methods, Policy Communication and Advocacy, and Data Sciences)
Opportunities to take the lead in Future Forum’s Community of Researchers activities, including Policy Talk, Small Idea Presentation, Public Lecture, Research Colloquium, Policy Walk, Film Screening, among others.
Access full membership to Future Forum's Research Hub, including the library in Phnom Penh, as your collaborative workspace.

Your tasks

Produce a baseline of two well-researched, forward-looking policy briefs and, optionally, one commentary that offer actionable recommendations.
Participate actively with a 50% physical attendance rate in a structured learning schedule, including the mandatory One-Day Policy Retreat on 13 June 2026 and almost all Saturday morning sessions, consisting of Ideation, Refresher, and HelpDesks sessions. Please consult the full schedule of all mandatory sessions below.
Participate actively in Future Forum’s Community of Researchers activities.
Engage in policy drills, scenario-based exercises, and constructive editorial review processes.
Ensure diverse perspectives, especially from marginalized groups, are considered and integrated into your policy analysis while maintaining a strong GEDSI focus.
Keep a systematic track of development and trends in your chosen area of policy interest.

Your profile

Must be a Cambodian citizen based in Cambodia.
Be between 22 and 35 years old
A bachelor’s degree is required for Junior Research Fellows, and a master’s degree or equivalent professional and publication experience for Research Fellows in fields related to your chosen area of policy interest.
Demonstrate a strong interest in value-added policy research and a commitment to public service.
Exhibit excellent critical thinking, systems mapping, and English writing skills.
Be able to commit to a rigorous bi-weekly Saturday schedule from June 2026 to March 2027.
Future Forum strongly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, indigenous people, ethnic minorities, and individuals from underrepresented socio-economic backgrounds.

How to apply

Interested candidates must submit a two-page CV (without a photograph) and the IPF2026 Personal Work Plan (a strategic roadmap outlining 3 Policy Brief pitches, 1 Commentary pitch, and a stakeholder engagement plan).

Download the Fellowship Work Plan Template: Download Here
Complete the Online Application Form: Apply Here

Deadline: 22 May 2026 at 11:00 am (Cambodia Time). Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.

For more information, please contact Future Forum’s Director of Programs Chhengpor Aun at chhengpor.aun@futureforum.asia.

Detailed schedule of mandatory sessions

Selected fellows are obliged to attend in person a minimum of 50% of the Ideation and 50% of the Refresher sessions. Three consecutive absences from either type of session without prior notice or credible explanations will result in early exit from fellowship.

June 2026

13 June: Policy Retreat (Whole-Day Session)
20 June: Ideation Session 01 (Morning Session)
27 June: Ideation Session 02 (Morning Session)

July 2026

4 July: Ideation Session 03 (Morning Session)
11 July: Refresher Session 01 + HelpDesk 01 (Morning Session)
18 July: Ideation Session 04 (Morning Session)

August 2026

1 August: Ideation Session 05 (Morning Session)
8 August: Refresher Session 02 + HelpDesk 02 (Morning Session)
15 August: Ideation Session 06 (Morning Session)
22 August: Refresher Session 03 + HelpDesk 03 (Morning Session)
29 August: Refresher Session 04 + HelpDesk 04 (Morning Session)

September 2026

5 September: Ideation Session 07 (Morning Session)
12 September: Refresher Session 05 + HelpDesk 05 (Morning Session)
19 September: Ideation Session 08 (Morning Session)
26 September: Refresher Session 06 + HelpDesk 06 (Morning Session)

October 2026

3 October: Ideation Session 09 (Morning Session)
10 October: Pchum Ben Holidays (No Session)
17 October: Ideation Session 10 (Morning Session)
24 October: Refresher Session 07 + HelpDesk 07 (Morning Session)

November 2026

7 November: Ideation Session 11 (Morning Session)
14 November: Refresher Session 08 + HelpDesk 08 (Morning Session)
21 November: Ideation Session 12 (Morning Session)

December 2026

5 December: Ideation Session 13 (Morning Session)
12 December: Refresher Session 09 + HelpDesk 9 (Morning Session)
19 December: Ideation Session 14 (Morning Session)
26 December: New Year Break (No Session)

January 2027

2 January: New Year Break (No Session)
9 January: Ideation Session 15 (Morning Session)
16 January: Refresher Session 10 + HelpDesk 10 (Morning Session)
23 January: Ideation Session 16 (Morning Session)

February 2027

6 February: Ideation Session 17 (Morning Session)
20 February: Ideation Session 18 (Morning Session)

March 2027

6 March: Ideation Session 19 (Morning Session)
20 March: Ideation Session 20 (Morning Session)
27 March: Program Concludes / Final Day

Public. Policy. Forward.