ORF Think Tank Lived Experience Fellowship 2026–2027: Paid Remote Fellowship for Refugees and Displaced Leaders Worldwide

The ORF Think Tank Lived Experience Fellowship 2026–2027 is now accepting applications from individuals with lived or living experience of displacement who are passionate about research, advocacy, and the transformative role of sport in supporting refugee and displaced communities. Offered by the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF), this paid part-time remote fellowship provides an opportunity for fellows worldwide to contribute their expertise, shape international conversations, and influence policies that improve the lives of refugees through sport.

Running from September 2026 to August 2027, the fellowship recognizes lived experience as a valuable form of expertise and brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds to co-create knowledge, strengthen humanitarian practices, and advocate for more inclusive approaches to displacement. If you have personal experience of forced migration and a commitment to creating positive change, this international fellowship could be an exceptional opportunity to expand your impact.

About the ORF Think Tank Lived Experience Fellowship

The Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) established the Think Tank Lived Experience Fellowship to ensure that people directly affected by displacement play a central role in research, advocacy, and policy discussions related to refugees and sport.

Unlike many research fellowships that require advanced academic qualifications, this programme values lived experience as expertise. Fellows work alongside researchers, practitioners, and humanitarian experts to help generate evidence, influence policy, and improve programmes that use sport and physical activity to support displaced populations.

The fellowship is conducted remotely on a part-time basis, making it accessible to eligible participants from around the world.

Fellowship Duration

Successful applicants will participate in the programme from:

September 2026 to August 2027

Throughout the fellowship, participants collaborate with the ORF Think Tank while balancing other professional or personal commitments.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive a range of professional and financial benefits, including:

Regular fellowship stipend
Remote and flexible participation
Professional mentorship
Capacity-building opportunities
Exposure to international research and advocacy initiatives
Opportunities to collaborate with leading experts in humanitarian action and sport
Professional development throughout the fellowship period

The fellowship is designed not only to support participants financially but also to strengthen their leadership, advocacy, and research skills.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is exclusively open to individuals with lived or living experience of displacement.

Eligible applicants include:

Refugees
Asylum seekers
Stateless persons
Internally displaced persons (IDPs)
Individuals affected by forced migration and displacement

The programme encourages applications from eligible candidates across the globe.

Academic Qualifications Are Not Required

One of the unique aspects of this fellowship is that applicants do not need formal academic research experience.

Applicants are not required to have:

Previous academic publications
Formal research training
Graduate or postgraduate degrees

Instead, ORF seeks applicants who can demonstrate a genuine commitment to supporting displaced communities and contributing meaningful insights through their lived experiences.

What ORF Is Looking For

Applicants should demonstrate:

Strong interest in the role of sport, movement, or physical activity in supporting displaced communities
Commitment to improving the lives of refugees and people affected by crises
Potential to contribute to research and advocacy initiatives

Relevant experience may include:

Research
Writing
Storytelling
Advocacy
Community leadership
Programme delivery
Youth engagement
Creative practice
Communications
Public policy

Both established professionals and emerging community leaders are encouraged to apply.

About the ORF Think Tank

The ORF Think Tank brings together experts from humanitarian organizations, academia, governments, NGOs, and the private sector to examine how sport can contribute to the inclusion, well-being, and resilience of displaced populations.

Since its launch in 2020, the Think Tank has worked to strengthen the evidence base supporting sport-based humanitarian initiatives while encouraging collaboration across sectors.

Importantly, the Think Tank actively includes individuals with lived experience of instability and displacement, ensuring that research and policy are informed by those directly affected.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Around the world, millions of refugees and displaced people continue to face barriers to education, health, social inclusion, and participation.

Sport has increasingly been recognized as a powerful tool for:

Promoting social inclusion
Supporting mental well-being
Strengthening community resilience
Encouraging youth engagement
Building leadership
Creating opportunities for displaced populations

Through this fellowship, ORF aims to ensure that those with lived experience help shape future policies and programmes rather than simply being represented within them.

Application Deadline

Applications for the ORF Think Tank Lived Experience Fellowship 2026–2027 are currently open.

Application Deadline: 19 August 2026 (Midnight EST)

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.

How to Apply

Eligible applicants should:

Review the fellowship terms of reference.
Prepare the required application information.
Submit their application through the designated online application platform administered by the Columbia University Care and Protection of Children (CPC) Learning Network.
Await notification regarding the selection process.

Applicants from all eligible countries are encouraged to apply.

Final Thoughts

The ORF Think Tank Lived Experience Fellowship 2026–2027 is a unique international opportunity that places lived experience at the heart of research, advocacy, and policy development. By providing mentorship, professional development, a regular stipend, and a platform to influence global discussions, the fellowship empowers refugees and displaced leaders to help shape more inclusive and effective humanitarian responses through sport.

If you have personal experience of displacement and are committed to using your knowledge to create meaningful change, this fellowship offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to international research while developing your own leadership and professional skills.

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