Fully Funded AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026/2027 for African Researchers

Applications are now open for the Fully Funded AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026/2027. African researchers can spend 4–6 months at the World Bank conducting research, collaborating with leading economists, and strengthening publications and teaching.

Applications are now open for the Fully Funded AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026/2027, offering African researchers an outstanding opportunity to collaborate with leading economists at the World Bank while advancing high-impact research on Africa’s economic development.

The programme is jointly organized by the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) and the World Bank Africa Region Chief Economist’s Office (AFRCE). Through this prestigious visiting scholars initiative, selected researchers will spend four to six months at the World Bank, working on their own research projects while engaging with World Bank experts, accessing extensive research resources, and contributing to analytical work focused on Africa’s development.

Designed to strengthen research capacity across Sub-Saharan Africa, the programme enables scholars to improve the quality of their publications, expand international research networks, and contribute evidence-based solutions to key economic policy challenges affecting the continent.

About the AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program

The AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program was established following a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the African Economic Research Consortium and the World Bank’s Africa Region Chief Economist’s Office.

The partnership aims to strengthen economic policy research in Sub-Saharan Africa while promoting collaboration between African researchers and World Bank economists.

The programme seeks to:

Strengthen AERC’s capacity to promote economic policy research across Africa.
Expand international research collaboration and academic partnerships.
Increase the policy impact of research produced by both AERC and the World Bank.
Improve the research, publication, and teaching capacity of African scholars through access to World Bank resources, data, and expertise.

Each year, a limited number of researchers are selected to participate in this prestigious fellowship programme.

AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026/2027 Overview

Opportunity	Details
Organization	African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) & World Bank
Programme	Visiting Scholars Program 2026/2027
Fellowship Type	Visiting Research Fellowship
Duration	4–6 Months
Location	World Bank
Eligible Applicants	AERC Network Researchers
Number of Awards	Up to 2 Awards
Application Deadline	6 September 2026

Fellowship Benefits

Successful visiting scholars will receive an opportunity to work closely with economists and researchers at the World Bank while advancing their own research.

Programme participants will:

Spend four to six months at the World Bank.
Conduct research on African economic development.
Collaborate with researchers in the World Bank Africa Region.
Access World Bank research resources and datasets.
Participate in professional capacity-building activities.
Build international academic and policy networks.
Present their research during a seminar.
Strengthen publications for submission to internationally recognized journals.
Contribute to ongoing World Bank analytical and research projects.

This fellowship provides valuable exposure to international research standards while supporting high-quality policy-oriented scholarship.

Activities During the Fellowship

Selected scholars will become part of the Office of the Chief Economist for Africa Region (DECAF) during their visit.

Participants will be expected to:

Attend DECAF-led research activities.
Participate in professional development and capacity-building sessions.
Collaborate with researchers working on World Bank Regional Flagship Studies.
Engage with World Bank economists and research teams.
Utilize World Bank research resources and data.

Expected Outputs

During the fellowship, visiting scholars are expected to:

Revise their research paper.
Submit the revised paper to the World Bank Working Paper Series.
Submit their work to a reputable academic journal.
Deliver at least one research seminar during the fellowship.
Contribute meaningfully to the World Bank Africa Region’s ongoing analytical work.
Develop a repository of research interests.
Comply with all programme requirements and consultancy terms.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

Be an AERC researcher, including researchers participating in the AERC Collaborative PhD Programme (CPP).
Have an active AERC research project that has reached at least the interim/post-field stage or final research paper stage.
Conduct research relevant to the World Bank Africa Region’s research priorities and Africa’s long-term development agenda.

Only eligible AERC network researchers may apply for the programme.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must prepare a complete application package containing:

A two-page statement of interest.
A draft research paper relevant to the World Bank Africa Region’s research agenda and African development priorities.
Curriculum or course materials for a relevant course they would like to improve during the fellowship (if applicable).
An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Applicants should ensure all documents are complete before submission.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application package via email to the AERC Research Department.

Applications should include all required documents and be submitted before the application deadline.

Late submissions will not be considered.

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit applications for the AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026/2027 is:

6 September 2026

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute delays.

Commitment to Diversity

The programme strongly encourages applications from:

Women researchers.
Francophone researchers.
Lusophone researchers.

This commitment supports greater diversity and inclusion within Africa’s research community.

Why You Should Apply

The AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026/2027 offers an exceptional opportunity for African researchers to strengthen their academic careers while contributing to evidence-based economic policymaking.

Participants gain access to internationally recognized economists, extensive research resources, valuable professional networks, and opportunities to publish high-quality research that can influence policy across Africa. For researchers seeking to expand their expertise and increase the impact of their work, this fellowship provides a unique platform for academic growth and international collaboration.

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