Application Deadline: March 29, 2026.
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 Alan W. Heston Fellowship. This fellowship program is designed to support and motivate emerging scholars and practitioners who are focused on advancing economic measurement, particularly in areas involving international price comparisons, real income analysis, purchasing power parity (PPP) methodologies, and the essential data underpinning cross-national economic assessments.
Research Priorities
- Enhance national and regional statistical methods and applications related to the International Comparison Program (ICP).
- Develop new or refine existing data sources to improve price and quantity comparisons across countries.
- Deepen understanding of global economic development and living standards by innovating PPP usage and methodologies.
- Strengthen statistical frameworks at national and regional levels and create strategies for improved engagement and communication with data users.
- Conduct research aligned closely with the current ICP agenda, including exploration of alternative data sources such as scanner data, web scraping techniques, satellite imagery, and integration between ICP and Consumer Price Index (CPI) systems.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
- Early-career researchers who are within five years of receiving their PhD, including postdoctoral fellows, assistant professors, or individuals actively seeking academic positions after PhD completion. Candidates from economics, economic statistics, policy studies, or closely related disciplines are encouraged to apply.
- Statisticians employed by national or regional statistical agencies who are involved in research initiatives aimed at enhancing statistical methodologies and practices.
Preference will be given to those with relevant prior research experience and a demonstrated commitment to applying their work toward the improvement of national or regional statistical systems.
Fellowship Overview
- Duration: The fellowship spans between 6 to 12 months.
- Support: Fellows receive expert guidance from the ICP Global Office and broader ICP community, including assistance with data access, research design, and practical implementation.
- Dissemination: Fellows will have opportunities to publish their research outcomes and share insights via the World Bank’s Data Blog and/or the World Bank Policy Research Working Paper Series.
Fellowship Deliverables
Throughout the fellowship period, participants are expected to produce:
- Intermediate Deliverables: A summary of preliminary research findings, including an updated budget and timeline, followed by a meeting with the Fellowship Secretariat.
- Final Deliverables: A draft article prepared for publication on the Data Blog, a draft or final research paper, and a concise plan outlining future publication intentions.
Financial Support
The fellowship offers a grant of up to USD 10,000 per fellow, designed to support research activities over a period ranging from 6 to 12 months.
Application Requirements
Prospective applicants should submit the following materials:
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
- A cover letter (maximum 500 words) detailing research interests and how these align with the fellowship’s objectives.
- A comprehensive project proposal (up to 1,500 words, excluding annexes) including the following components:
- Research objectives
- Proposed methodology
- Expected impact
- Timeline
- Budget table
- List of deliverables
- Pre-approval letter or equivalent documentation verifying eligibility to receive the fellowship, if the applicant is currently employed by a government agency.
- Contact details for two referees (including name, institution, job title, and email address).
How to Apply
Complete your application and upload all necessary documents via the online submission portal.
Additional Information
For further details about the fellowship program, Visit the Official Webpage of the Alan W. Heston Fellowship.
