Global Frontline Leaders Program 2027: $7,500 Stipend for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Leaders Worldwide

Application Deadline: November 6, 2026

The Global Frontline Leaders Program 2027 is inviting applications from practitioners, researchers and policymakers working to improve mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for children and families affected by conflict, humanitarian emergencies and resource constraints.

The 2027 cohort will bring together professionals from different countries and backgrounds who are developing practical approaches to mental health care in communities where access to specialized services is limited.

The initiative will provide participants with opportunities to exchange knowledge, present their work, strengthen their leadership capabilities and explore ways to improve mental health systems for children and families.

Selected participants will take part in a 10-month international learning and collaboration program running from February to November 2027. The program is fully virtual, allowing participants to participate from anywhere in the world.

Each selected participant will receive a $7,500 USD stipend, distributed in two installments to support their participation in the program.

Applications for the 2027 cohort are currently open and must be submitted by November 6, 2026.

Program Overview

About the Global Frontline Leaders Program

Children and families living through conflict, displacement, extreme poverty and climate-related emergencies often experience significant mental health and psychosocial challenges. However, access to professional mental health services remains limited in many communities, particularly in low-resource and crisis-affected settings.

The Global Frontline Leaders Program seeks to support people who are developing solutions to these challenges through community-based initiatives, research and policy development.

The 2027 program will focus on how mental health and psychosocial support can be integrated into the systems that children and families already depend on, including healthcare, education, social protection and community networks.

Participants will explore approaches that recognize local cultures, community knowledge, faith-based practices and the experiences of people directly affected by mental health challenges.

Through international collaboration, the program aims to connect frontline professionals and encourage the development of practical solutions that can strengthen mental health support across different settings.

2027 Program Theme: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Children and Families

The 2027 cohort will concentrate on improving access to mental health and psychosocial support for children, families and communities experiencing difficult circumstances.

The program recognizes that mental health care should not depend exclusively on access to specialists. Community health workers, lay counsellors, educators, researchers, policymakers and faith-based organizations can all contribute to expanding support services.

Participants will examine how these different actors can work together to build more accessible and sustainable systems.

Key areas of discussion will include:

• Community-based mental health and psychosocial support.
• Mental health services for children and families affected by conflict and displacement.
• Culturally appropriate approaches to psychosocial care.
• The contribution of faith and community networks to mental health support.
• Mental health policy and integration into primary healthcare.
• Research, evidence generation and evaluation of interventions.
• Coordination between healthcare, education and social protection systems.
• Strengthening mental health services during humanitarian emergencies.

Who Should Apply?

The Global Frontline Leaders Program is intended for professionals who are actively contributing to mental health and psychosocial support for children, families and communities.

The program welcomes applications from three broad professional groups:

1. Practitioners

Individuals working directly with children, families and communities to provide mental health or psychosocial support.

This may include professionals leading community-based or faith-based initiatives, coordinating psychosocial programmes, supporting families or delivering mental health interventions in crisis-affected settings.

2. Researchers

Researchers studying mental health interventions, psychosocial support systems and approaches that improve outcomes for children and families.

The program is interested in people working with communities to understand what interventions are effective and how they can be adapted to different cultural and social environments.

3. Policymakers

Professionals involved in developing, implementing or influencing policies that determine access to mental health services.

This may include individuals working to integrate mental health into national healthcare systems, education programmes, social protection policies and emergency response strategies.

Applicants should have relevant frontline knowledge, practical experience or professional involvement in the program’s focus area and a commitment to strengthening mental health support systems.

Program Benefits and What Selected Participants Receive

Participants selected for the 2027 cohort will benefit from financial support, professional development and opportunities to connect with experts and practitioners from around the world.

The program offers the following:

1. A $7,500 USD Stipend

Each participant will receive a stipend of $7,500 USD, paid in two installments, to support their participation throughout the program.

2. International Professional Network

Participants will join a global cohort of practitioners, researchers and policymakers working in mental health and psychosocial support.

This creates opportunities to exchange experiences, develop professional relationships and learn from approaches being implemented in different countries.

3. Individual Orientation

Selected participants will receive a personal welcome and orientation session in January 2027.

The session will provide an opportunity to discuss individual goals, understand the program structure and prepare for participation.

4. Monthly Learning Workshops

Participants will attend monthly virtual workshops featuring guest speakers, practical case studies and peer-learning sessions.

These activities will help participants examine challenges, share experiences and explore approaches that can improve mental health services.

5. Networking and Expert Engagement

The program will organize virtual networking events connecting participants with peers, Georgetown University faculty and leaders from United Nations agencies, nongovernmental organizations and foundations.

6. Mentoring and Leadership Coaching

Participants will have access to one-to-one mentoring or leadership coaching to support their professional development and strengthen their leadership capacity.

7. Research and Knowledge-Sharing Opportunities

The cohort will work together to develop a collaborative paper highlighting innovative frontline approaches to mental health and psychosocial support.

Participants will also have the opportunity to present their work through a webinar hosted by the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues.

What Will Participants Do During the 10-Month Program?

The 2027 cohort will follow a structured learning and collaboration process designed to connect individual experiences with broader mental health systems and policies.

The program will involve the following activities:

1. Examine Local Mental Health Systems

Participants will compare how mental health and psychosocial support services operate in their respective countries. Discussions will consider the influence of culture, faith, community structures and local realities on access to care.

2. Present Successful Community Approaches

Participants will showcase their own initiatives and examine promising mental health interventions being implemented in low- and middle-income countries.

3. Improve Research and Evaluation Skills

The cohort will explore methods for assessing mental health programmes, evaluating interventions and identifying evidence gaps that need further investigation.

4. Explore Cross-Sector Collaboration

Participants will examine how healthcare providers, educational institutions, social protection agencies and community organizations can coordinate their efforts to support children and families.

5. Understand the Wider Mental Health System

The program will help participants identify the institutions, stakeholders and relationships that influence access to mental health services and determine where they can contribute to meaningful improvements.

6. Strengthen Resilience During Emergencies

Participants will assess how mental health systems respond to conflict, humanitarian emergencies and other disruptions, including what helps maintain services when communities face major challenges.

7. Produce and Share Collaborative Research

Throughout the program, participants will work together on a paper showcasing creative approaches to frontline mental health support. The work will be shared through a webinar organized by the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues.

Key Frameworks Used in the Program

The learning activities will draw on internationally recognized mental health and psychosocial support resources, including:

• Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings: A framework for coordinating and delivering MHPSS services during humanitarian emergencies.
• World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health Report: A global resource examining mental health challenges, service delivery and opportunities to improve mental health systems.

These frameworks will provide a common reference point for discussions, learning activities and comparisons across different countries.

Program Schedule

The 2027 cohort will run for 10 months, with activities organized around the following timeline:

Participants will take part in virtual activities and collaborate with other members of the international cohort.

Participation Format

The Global Frontline Leaders Program is fully virtual.

Selected participants can participate from anywhere in the world without relocating to a specific country or attending an in-person programme at a designated location.

This arrangement allows professionals to remain connected to their existing work while engaging in international learning and collaboration.

How to Apply for the Global Frontline Leaders Program 2027

Interested candidates must complete the online application form provided by the program organizers.

To apply:

1. Review the program’s focus on mental health and psychosocial support for children and families.
2. Consider how your professional work, research or policy involvement relates to the 2027 theme.
3. Prepare information about your relevant experience, current initiatives and contributions to mental health and psychosocial support.
4. Visit the official application form using the link below.
5. Complete the application form and provide the requested information.
6. Review your responses and submit your application before the deadline.

Application Deadline: November 6, 2026.

Official Application Link

Applications are submitted through the online application form:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Global Frontline Leaders Program 2027?

It is a 10-month international professional development and collaboration program bringing together practitioners, researchers and policymakers working to improve mental health and psychosocial support for children and families.

2. What is the main focus of the 2027 cohort?

The 2027 cohort focuses on mental health and psychosocial support for children and families affected by conflict, crisis, displacement and limited resources.

3. Who is eligible to apply?

The program is intended for practitioners, researchers and policymakers with relevant frontline experience or involvement in mental health and psychosocial support.

4. Is the program open to international applicants?

Yes. The program is designed for a global cohort, and participation is fully virtual from anywhere in the world.

5. How much funding does the program provide?

Each participant will receive a stipend of $7,500 USD, distributed in two installments to support their participation.

6. Is the program fully online?

Yes. All participation is virtual, allowing selected individuals to join from their respective countries.

7. How long does the program last?

The program runs for 10 months, from February to November 2027. Individual orientation sessions are scheduled for January 2027.

8. What activities are included?

Activities include monthly workshops, guest presentations, case studies, peer learning, networking, mentoring, leadership coaching and collaborative research.

9. Will participants receive mentorship?

Yes. The program includes one-to-one mentoring or leadership coaching.

10. When is the application deadline?

Applications for the 2027 cohort close on November 6, 2026.

11. How can I apply?

Interested candidates should complete and submit the online application form provided by the organizers.

Final Application Reminder

The Global Frontline Leaders Program 2027 offers an opportunity for professionals working in mental health and psychosocial support to strengthen their knowledge, connect with international peers and contribute to discussions on improving services for children and families.

Candidates with relevant experience in community-based programmes, mental health research, humanitarian response or policy development are encouraged to consider applying.

Applications must be submitted by November 6, 2026.

Apply for the 2027 Cohort: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM8Vx1TBSRL4SY9OxQ61hxIlY8OFFPOi27W77nbWhB7vuiyA/viewform

For additional information, consult the official program page: https://globalchildren.georgetown.edu/subtopics/2027-cohort-mental-health-and-psychosocial-support-mhpss-for-children-and-families