Teachers College, Columbia University introduces a new fellowship connecting students to the United Nations and the frontlines of global policymaking
Teachers College, Columbia University, in partnership with the Consortium for Diplomacy and Global Action (CDGA), has launched the Global Policy Fellowship, an innovative program designed to equip students with the skills and experience to lead in the fields of diplomacy, education, and international development. The fellowship connects academic research with real-world policymaking, giving TC students hands-on opportunities to collaborate with the United Nations, international organizations, and member-state missions in tackling some of today’s most urgent global challenges.
Open to current TC students from all academic disciplines, the Global Policy Fellowship offers immersive training across a range of fields, including education in emergencies, sustainable development, climate action, human rights, global health, gender equity, and the arts. Over the course of the fellowship, participants engage in policy development projects that contribute directly to U.N. processes, supporting TC’s ongoing mission to advance education, equity, and social transformation worldwide.
Fellows work in interdisciplinary teams guided by Teachers College faculty mentors and international experts. Each fellow receives a $500 monthly stipend (January–July 2026) and a $3,000 scholarship to participate in one of TC’s study abroad programs, along with a $500 travel stipend.
The fellowship unfolds in three key phases: Orientation and Training (Nov–Feb), where fellows participate in workshops on diplomacy, negotiation, and global policy processes; Placement and Research (Feb–May), where fellows collaborate with U.N. agencies, NGOs, and policy teams to conduct research and draft proposals; and Resolution Development and Advocacy (May–Aug), where teams transform their research into policy recommendations and present them at the Global Policy Capstone Gala. At the gala, fellows will share their work with U.N. representatives, international policymakers, and the Teachers College community.
The program brings together some of TC’s leading scholars in education and global affairs, including Professor Oren Pizmony-Levy (Education, Environment & Sustainable Development), Professor Mary Mendenhall (Education in Emergencies), Professor Garnett Russell (Education for Peace), and Professor Jeanne Goffi-Fynn (Education & the Arts). In addition to faculty guidance, fellows benefit from guest mentorship by diplomats and policy specialists from the United Nations system, offering unparalleled access to the inner workings of global decision-making.
Throughout the program, fellows apply their academic expertise to real-world policy problems, drafting position papers, contributing to working groups, and publishing reflections in the Reflective Global Policy Journal. The fellowship builds leadership capacity while advancing TC’s contributions to the global education and development agenda.
Applications are open to current Teachers College students in good academic standing who plan to graduate in 2027 or later. Interdisciplinary applicants are encouraged to apply. While prior international experience is not required, successful candidates will demonstrate leadership potential, academic excellence, and a strong commitment to cross-cultural collaboration.
The deadline for applications is November 25, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Apply online through the Teachers College Global Engagement portal at www.tc.columbia.edu/globalengagement/fellowship.
For more information, visit the Office of Global Engagement or contact the Consortium for Diplomacy and Global Action (CDGA) at am5916@tc.columbia.edu or (212) 678-3008.
The Global Policy Fellowship embodies Teachers College’s mission to prepare educators and changemakers who lead with purpose on the world stage, where scholarship meets diplomacy and students become architects of a more just and sustainable future!