To support and assist students with financial needs, the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) presents a great opportunity, the CEGA Fellowship Program for African Researchers, Resident and Non-Resident Students, for the academic year 2023–2024.

This fellowship Program is an open opportunity for high-achieving African researchers who have completed a Master’s degree or a PhD within the last 8 years or are enrolled in a PhD program in economics, statistics, epidemiology, public health, or another social science discipline. The fellowship provides seven for resident fellows and up to five for non-resident fellows.

The CEGA is a hub for research, training, and creation headquartered at the University of California, Berkeley. We develop insights that leaders can use to enhance policies, programs, and individuals’ lives. Our academic network includes better than 150 faculty, 65 scholars from low- and middle-income nations, and hundreds of graduate students–from across academic fields and the globe–that produce stringent evidence about what works to extend education, health, and financial options for people living in deprivation.

Why should join this program? CEGA operates with public, private, and nonprofit partners around the globe to recognize major issues facing people on the front lines of the fight against deprivation, for which proof is scarce. With close ties to Silicon Valley, we assume the transformative power of technology while recognizing that it is not a silver bullet.

Application Deadline: 23rd February 2023.

Brief Description

• University or Organization: Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA)
• Department: NA
• Course Level: PhD
• Award: Varies
• Access Mode: Online
• Number of Awards: Seven for Resident fellows, up to five for Non-Resident
• Nationality: International
• The award can be taken in the USA

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: Candidates from East African or Anglophone West African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Uganda, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Somalia, and Cameroon) are eligible to apply.
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: The scholarship will be granted for a Master’s degree and PhD in economics, statistics, epidemiology, public health, or other social science discipline subjects offered by the university.
• Admissible Criteria: To be eligible, the applicants must meet all the following/given criteria:
• Candidates must be a national of an East African or Anglophone West African country (Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Uganda, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Somalia, and Cameroon);
• Students must be fluent in English;
• They have completed a Master’s degree or a PhD within the last 8 years, or they enrolled in a PhD program in economics, statistics, epidemiology/public health, or another social science discipline;
• They have a current affiliation with a research institution, university, or other research organization in East or West Africa, preferably one that supports policy-relevant, quantitative social science research;
• Resident Only: Plan to return to a research institute in East or West Africa after the resident fellowship at UC Berkeley or Northwestern University. If currently enrolled in a PhD program outside the African continent, scholars may complete their PhD before their return.

How to Apply

• How to Apply: To apply for this grant, applicants must submit the following information and documents through the online portal.
• Supporting Documents: The students are required to present the following documents:
• Personal Statement (one page)
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• Research Proposal
• Evidence of Leave Approval from the applicant’s supervisor or department chair demonstrating support and certifying that, if the applicant is selected, he/she will be able to take a 4-month leave of absence.
• Name and contact information for two referees
• OPTIONAL: They may attach one working paper or publication.
• Admission Requirements: Applicants have a current affiliation with a research institution, university, or other research organization in East or West Africa, preferably one that supports policy-relevant, quantitative social science research.
• Language Requirement: Applicants must be fluent in English language proficiency.

Benefits

• The winning candidates will receive $5,000 to train others in impact evaluation methods and build institutional capacity to conduct rigorous evaluations, as well as pilot research grants of $7,000-10,000 to continue working on research developed during the fellowship.
• Applicants will also be able to apply for larger research grants of up to $75,000 to conduct an impact evaluation that answers a pressing economic development question in East or West Africa.

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