The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), in partnership with the World Bank, has opened applications for the 2026 AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program for eligible African researchers.
The AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026 is a fully sponsored fellowship that enables selected researchers to spend four to six months at the World Bank, strengthening their research capacity, collaborating with leading economists, and contributing to research on Africa’s economic development.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: World Bank | African Economic Research Consortium (AERC)
- Host Country: United States of America (USA)
- Category: Fellowships
- Eligible Countries: African Countries
- Reward: Full Sponsorship | Research Training | Networking Opportunities
- Deadline: September 6, 2026
Scholarship Details
The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) is inviting members of its research network to apply for the 2026 AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program. The fellowship provides an opportunity for selected researchers to spend between four and six months at the World Bank, where they will conduct research on issues related to Africa’s economic development while collaborating with researchers from the World Bank’s Africa Region Office of the Chief Economist (DECAF). The programme is designed to strengthen research skills, improve the quality of scholarly outputs, and foster long-term collaboration between African researchers and World Bank experts.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program, applicants must:
- Be an AERC network researcher, including participants 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.
- Be conducting research that aligns with the World Bank Africa Region’s research priorities and Africa’s long-term development agenda.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful participants in the AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program will:
- Receive full sponsorship for the fellowship.
- Spend four to six months at the World Bank.
- Join the Office of the Chief Economist for Africa Region (DECAF) research team.
- Participate in research seminars and capacity-building activities.
- Collaborate with World Bank researchers and other scholars.
- Access the World Bank’s research resources and facilities.
- Revise and prepare research papers for submission to the World Bank Working Paper Series and leading academic journals.
- Present at least one research seminar during the fellowship.
- Contribute to ongoing World Bank Africa Region research projects.
- Expand professional networks with international researchers and policy experts.
Required Documents
To apply for this fellowship, applicants should prepare:
- Two-page statement of interest.
- Draft research paper relevant to Africa’s economic development and the World Bank Africa Region’s research agenda.
- Relevant course curriculum or teaching materials (if applicable).
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
How to Apply
To apply for the AERC–World Bank Visiting Scholars Program:
- Prepare all required application documents.
- Email your complete application package to [email protected].
- Copy [email protected] in your application email.
- Submit your application on or before September 6, 2026.
- Late applications will not be considered.
- Women, Francophone, and Lusophone applicants are especially encouraged to apply.
- Kindly wait for feedback.
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