World Bank is offering the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSMFP) for the students of a developing country. The aim of the bank is to reach the best and brightest researchers and lecturers from the highest quality institutions and region’s universities, research centres and relevant professional networks.

The program provides 6-10 months of funding for full-time study or research at the postgraduate level in fields related to economic development, to be carried out at a recognized institution in a Bank member country other than the applicant’s home country.

RSMFP was established in 1982 with $2.8 million in funding from the World Bank and the governments of Bangladesh, China, India, Kuwait, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, and former Yugoslavia. DEC is the premier research and data arm of the World Bank.

Why apply to this program? Arianna Legovini, Director of DIME, inviting young researchers to the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program to participate in policy-relevant research to effect development policy. By working with World Bank DEC researchers and their external academic collaborators from top universities, fellows will learn current research standards, acquire new econometric skills, and network with leading researchers in their field.

Application Deadline: April 3, 2023.

Brief Description

• University or Organization: World Bank
• Department: NA
• Course Level: PhD Research
• Award: $44,888
• Access Mode: Online
• Number of Awards: NA
• Nationality: International
• The award can be taken at any host institution outside of the fellow’s country

Eligibility

• Eligible Countries: Nationals of World Bank WBG member countries, with a preference for nationals of developing countries
• Acceptable Course or Subjects: Fellowships are awarded in fields related to economic development to conduct PhD research in a World Bank member country other than their home country or country.
• Admissible Criteria: To be considered for the RSMFP, applicants must be:
• Nationals of World Bank WBG member countries, with preference to nationals of developing countries;
• Fluent in English;
• Graduates of master’s level studies or currently pursuing a PhD in Economics or a related field. This includes but is not limited to economics, public policy, political science, data science, statistics, international development, sociology, and mathematics.
• No more than 35 years of age (by June 30 2023);
• Eligible candidates must have been born after June 30, 1986.
• Eligible pre-doc candidates must complete their master’s level studies by June 30th, 2023.
• Eligible doctoral students must be enrolled in a PhD program for the duration of the Fellowship, from September 2023 to June 2024.
• Available to relocate to Washington, D.C. for the duration of the fellowship.
• This fellowship has two types of candidates in mind:
• (i) Pre-doctoral fellows have completed a master’s level degree and are looking to gain research experience while preparing to apply for a PhD.
• (ii) Doctoral fellows are enrolled in a PhD program, have completed their coursework, and are looking to expand their research network by collaborating with World Bank researchers.
• Ideal doctoral candidates would like to pursue a career in development research and will use the Fellowship to access new data sources and research opportunities.
• Note: All eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made. Eligibility criteria will not change during an open call for applications. However, this information is subject to change between the close of one application process and the opening of the next.

How to Apply

• How to Apply: Interested candidates can apply using this link. Filling out the application form takes approximately 20 minutes.
• Depending on applicants’ answers to the questions in this application, applicants may be prompted to answer multiple-choice questions about their technical skills. These multiple-choice questions are timed. They will be clearly notified before a timed section begins.
• Research Program: Applicants will have the option to select in the application whether they would like to be hosted by the Development research department or the Impact evaluation department in the World Bank’s Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC).
• Supporting Documents: To be considered, applicants must submit:
• Resume: An updated CV in Pdf format
• A statement of purpose: with no more than 500 words describing their research interests, and professional objectives, and discussing their qualifications as development researchers
• Contact details for a letter of recommendation: details for a reference who can provide a letter of recommendation (letters will only be requested for shortlisted candidates)
• Writing sample in English (optional): A sole-authored research document that best reflects your English writing skills. This may only be submitted in PDF format.
• Statistical software code sample (optional): A sole-authored script that best reflects your coding skills. You may choose any data science-related programming language, but you must zip the files before uploading them.
• Admission Requirements: To be considered for the program, applicants must be graduates of master’s level studies or currently pursuing a PhD in Economics or a related field.
• Language Requirement: Applicants must be fluent in the English language to be considered for the program.

Benefits

The RSMFP offers competitive compensation, totalling $44,888 net of income taxes per fellow for an 8-month fellowship (paid in monthly instalments).

• Since the fellows will be hosted at the World Bank in Washington D.C., the World Bank’s HR Operations unit will assist the selected candidates with their ap­plication for a G4 visa.
• Note: The fellowship does not cover travel expenses. Fellowships will be awarded based on application materials, knowledge of relevant economic methods, and demonstrated skills in required statistical software.

Additional Benefits:

• Professional Experience: Fellows will work on World Bank projects under the direct supervision of World Bank DEC researchers and will be offered training on cutting-edge research practices and technologies and engage with the World Bank operations.
• Capacity Building: Fellows will receive a one-week technical onboarding at the start of the program, including training on reproducible research practices. During the program, fellows will participate in hands-on-trainings and seminars by top economists, to further build skills.
• Research Dissemination: Fellows will be invited to write a blog based on their fellowship research in DEC. This is an opportunity to showcase their research and contribution to development policy discussions.

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