J-PAL’s MENA Scholars Fellowship 2026 for MENA region-based researchers (USD$15,000 stipend)

Application Deadline: 26 March 2026

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 cohort of the J-PAL MENA Scholars Fellowship. This fellowship is designed to support researchers based in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, providing them with the training and experience necessary to design and implement randomized evaluations targeting poverty reduction and social development initiatives.

The program first launched in June 2023, selecting an inaugural group of six scholars. These participants engaged in an extensive curriculum that combined rigorous academic coursework, active involvement in J-PAL MENA’s ongoing projects, and access to mentoring and career development opportunities. The fellowship’s second cohort, admitted in 2024, includes six researchers hailing from Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon, with expertise spanning climate finance, labor markets, gender issues, and health.

Fellowship Overview

The fellowship is structured around eight key components that aim to build both technical and professional skills:

• Engagement with Randomized Evaluations: Fellows collaborate on randomized evaluations alongside a J-PAL affiliate, J-PAL MENA staff (particularly for projects based in Egypt), and other implementing partners. This hands-on experience covers the full lifecycle of impact evaluations.
• Mentorship: Each fellow is paired with a mentor drawn from the J-PAL affiliate network, J-PAL MENA Scientific Directors, or J-PAL MENA Post-Doctoral Fellows to guide research and professional growth.
• Networking Opportunities: Fellows join a peer cohort and become part of an expanding network of MENA Scholars Fellows, which connects further to a global community of J-PAL Scholars Fellows across various regions. They also gain access to the broader J-PAL MENA network.
• Educational Training: As part of skill-building, fellows will enroll in and complete two MIT MicroMasters online courses, which focus on randomized evaluation methods, econometric techniques, and related quantitative skills.
• Capacity Building Workshops: Targeted supplementary training sessions will be conducted by J-PAL MENA post-doctoral fellows and staff. These workshops cover region-specific challenges in randomized evaluations, personal website development, proposal writing, and advanced technical subjects.
• Media and Public Relations Support: Fellows are offered professional advice from J-PAL and a partnered PR firm to help amplify media exposure of their research findings and policy relevance.
• Participation in Regional Events: Fellows will have opportunities to present their work and engage in J-PAL MENA policy events throughout the region, collaborating with J-PAL affiliated professors and leadership figures.
• Evaluation Design Project: In the fellowship’s second year, fellows are encouraged to conceptualize and design an independent randomized evaluation on a topic relevant to the MENA region, working closely with their mentors.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy the following conditions to be considered for the fellowship:

• Academic Background: Candidates should specialize in economics or related fields such as public policy, political science, public health, statistics, or similar disciplines.
• Two Application Tracks:
• Track 1 – PhD Students: Open to individuals currently enrolled in PhD programs in economics or related areas. Applicants must originate from the MENA region but can be pursuing their doctoral studies either within or outside the region.
• Track 2 – Academic Scholars: Intended for those who have completed a PhD in economics or a related field and hold an academic position at a MENA-based institution.
• Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate fluency or native-level proficiency in both Arabic and English.
• Quantitative Skills: Familiarity with statistical software such as Stata or R is strongly advised.
• Research Interest in MENA: Candidates should show a clear interest in conducting impact evaluations related to poverty alleviation and development challenges within the MENA region.
• Team Contribution: Applicants must be able to effectively contribute to applied microeconomic research projects addressing poverty reduction across sectors such as education, health, and climate change. While prior experience with randomized evaluations is not required, candidates should be eager to engage in such research methods.
• Motivation and Independence: Fellows need to be well-organized, self-driven, and dedicated to fulfilling responsibilities associated with a multi-year research project team.
• Commitment: Candidates must commit to actively participating in all fellowship activities throughout the program's duration.

Fellowship Benefits

Each successful fellow will receive a stipend totaling USD $15,000 spread over the two-year fellowship period. These funds are intended to support fellows’ active participation and dedication to the program’s various components.

Application Timeline

For more comprehensive details and to apply, please Visit the Official Webpage of the J-PAL’s MENA Scholars Fellowship.