IHEP Global Policy Fellows Program

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To address its goal of furthering educational opportunities for all nations, the Institute has established a new fellowship program with an international focus called the Global Policy Fellows Program (GPFP).

As a key tool in international economic competitiveness, the expansion of higher education is a priority in many nations around the world. To reinforce their commitment to higher education, many countries seek to expand their capacity to conduct the in-depth research and analysis that is required for the development of constructive higher education policies. This is an issue even in nations that are economically advanced.

One result of gaps in policy expertise can be a country’s general inability to produce students who have the necessary skills required to reflect cross-national understanding and knowledge. That in turn can constrict capacity to analyze and implement policies that improve opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups.

If a nation intends to grow and participate fully in a global context, it must harness the potential of all populations in society. To prosper and excel, a country needs the skills and knowledge not just of its more advantaged citizens, but also of populations that historically have been disadvantaged—women, minorities, residents of rural areas, and those with low incomes.

Higher education can help close the gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged, and many countries have implemented government programs and policies to address that problem. Available data suggests, however, that these efforts need to intensify as there remains a troubling disconnect in access to higher education between the disadvantaged and their more affluent counterparts.

A stronger capacity for policy development could help nations become more competitive, in part by leading to ways that draw more effectively on the abilities of historically disadvantaged populations, and provide better access to higher education.

The GPFP seeks to increase policy development capacity across the world by providing a fellowship program to quality individuals that can make thoughtful and innovative contributions to higher education policy research.

GPFP Fellows are encouraged to view Activities for Participants.