Research Fellowship at Partners for Public Good: Remote Opportunity | $50 Per Hour | Apply by September 28, 2026

Partners for Public Good (PPG) is inviting applications for a Research Fellowship designed for early-career researchers interested in improving government effectiveness through evidence-based research. This is a remote, part-time fellowship offering $50 per hour, with fellows working between 15 and 25 hours per week.
The six-month, project-based fellowship provides researchers with an opportunity to conduct policy-relevant research, collect and analyse data, contribute to publications, and work alongside professionals focused on strengthening local government operations.
Applications will be accepted until September 28, 2026, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis.
Research Fellowship Overview
The PPG Research Fellowship is intended for researchers who want to explore how local governments operate and how better systems can improve outcomes for communities.
The fellowship combines independent research with mentorship, professional development, research team meetings, and collaboration with other fellows. Participants will work on one of five high-priority research topics related to public procurement and local government operations.
The programme is particularly suitable for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career faculty, research or policy professionals, and others with comparable experience.
Fellows will work under the guidance of PPG staff and alongside two other fellows. They will also receive support in turning their research into policy briefs, draft publications, conference submissions, and other public-facing outputs.
Remote Work and Compensation
The fellowship is a remote opportunity, with flexible working arrangements within the United States. However, fellows must have access to a major U.S. airport because the programme includes one in-person research retreat.
The fellowship is part-time, requiring 15–25 hours per week.
Selected fellows will be paid $50 per hour, with benefits provided as required by applicable state or local law.
The fellowship is expected to last six months, with a desired start date of October 2026.
Application deadline: September 28, 2026.
PPG will review applications on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply before the deadline.
Five Research Areas
Applicants can choose from five research projects.
The first focuses on public procurement through municipal data, examining publicly available information to better understand how cities purchase goods and services.
The second explores the compliance web surrounding local governments. This research will examine how federal, state, and local laws, regulations, funding requirements, and administrative processes can support or constrain effective implementation.
The third topic focuses on emerging technology and government operations. Researchers will examine how artificial intelligence and other technologies may influence government operations, organizational capacity, and the experience of public servants.
The fourth project examines innovative approaches to public purchasing, with particular attention to cooperative purchasing and how different procurement models affect efficiency and market participation.
The fifth focuses on building local capacity for stormwater management, exploring how communities develop and finance systems to address stormwater, infrastructure, and resilience challenges.
Fellowship Deliverables
Each fellow will be expected to complete between two and three major deliverables, depending on the selected project.
Possible outputs include a topic-specific literature review, a dataset compiled from publicly available information, or a dataset based on primary research.
Fellows may also develop survey or interview instruments, draft research publications, prepare policy briefs, or submit work for conferences.
These deliverables can provide valuable additions to a researcher’s professional portfolio while contributing to evidence-based approaches to government reform.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers and professionals with relevant research or policy experience.
Eligible applicants may be affiliated with a university, think tank, nonprofit organization, or research and policy institution. Applicants without an institutional affiliation are also welcome to apply, provided they can meet the fellowship’s time and deliverable requirements.
Strong candidates should demonstrate research ability, analytical thinking, interest in government effectiveness, and the ability to complete independent project work.
Applicants should select one or two preferred research topics and explain their interest, qualifications, and proposed approach in their letter of interest.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit three main materials by September 28, 2026.
These include a resume or CV of no more than two pages, a letter of interest, and a work sample.
The letter should explain which research project the applicant is interested in, why they are qualified, and how they would approach the research. If applying for two projects, applicants should identify their top choice.
The work sample may be a published or under-review research publication or another product demonstrating relevant skills and expertise.
Conclusion
The Partners for Public Good Research Fellowship offers early-career researchers an opportunity to combine paid remote research, mentorship, policy analysis, data work, and professional development.
With compensation of $50 per hour, flexible part-time hours, and five research areas focused on government effectiveness, the fellowship could be valuable for researchers interested in public policy, procurement, technology, local government, infrastructure, and evidence-based reform.
Position: Research Fellow
Organization: Partners for Public Good
Location: Remote within the U.S.
Hours: 15–25 hours per week
Duration: Six months
Compensation: $50 per hour
Start date: October 2026
Application deadline: September 28, 2026
Experience level: Entry level / early career
Travel: One in-person research retreat required
Apply: Research Fellowship Application
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.



