Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Africa Fellows in Education Program offers a two-year, fully supported fellowship for young African researchers focused on education policy and evidence-based decision-making. The program is designed to strengthen research capacity across Sub-Saharan Africa and improve the use of data and evidence in shaping education systems and policies.
It combines in-country research work with regional and international training opportunities, helping fellows develop advanced skills in education policy analysis, evaluation methods, and data-driven decision-making.
Program Overview
- Two-year fully supported research fellowship
- Focus on education policy and evidence-based decision-making
- Builds capacity in education research and data analysis
- Strengthens national and regional education systems
- Develops Africa-based education policy leaders
- Includes international training and research exposure
Key Focus Areas
- Improving education policy decision-making processes
- Strengthening local education research capacity
- Evaluating and applying existing education research
- Using student performance and learning data effectively
- Introducing rigorous evidence into policymaking
- Expanding education assessment systems
- Supporting education policy reform and improvement
- Building international research and policy networks
- Enhancing quantitative research and analytical skills
- Strengthening communication with policymakers and civil society
Fellowship Structure
- Duration: 2 years
- Combination of in-country work and international exposure
- Participation in global education conferences
- Short courses on:
- Evaluation methods
- Education measurement and testing systems
- Incentive structures in education
- Communication strategies
- Performance measurement systems
- Opportunities for mentorship and policy engagement
- Exposure to large-scale student assessment systems
- Networking with global education researchers and institutions
Funding Support
- Research grant: $25,000
- Additional support up to $25,000 for:
- Mentorship
- Study visits
- Conference travel
- Workshops
- Training-related expenses
- Total support includes research and professional development funding
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality and Location
- Must be a national of a Sub-Saharan African country
- Must work and intend to continue working in Sub-Saharan Africa
Academic Requirements
- Master’s or PhD degree required in one of the following fields:
- Economics
- Education Policy
- Social Policy or Public Policy
- Development Studies
- International Development
- Statistics
- Demography
- Sociology (with strong quantitative focus)
Technical Skills
- Strong experience in quantitative data analysis
- Proficiency in statistical software such as:
- R
- Stata
- Python
Professional Requirements
- Employed in a government institution, research institution, or higher education institution
- Strong interest in education policy research
- Demonstrated ability to apply data in policy contexts
Age Requirement
- Applicants must be under 35 years old
Expected Outcomes
- Strengthened national education research capacity
- Improved use of data in education policymaking
- Increased number of Africa-based education policy experts
- Stronger integration of evidence into government decision-making
- Expanded international collaboration in education research
- Enhanced quality of education systems through data-driven reform
Program Objectives
- Build a strong network of African education policy researchers
- Improve learning outcomes through evidence-based policy
- Strengthen data systems in education sectors
- Support government and institutional decision-making
- Promote rigorous research in education systems
- Develop future leaders in education policy and evaluation
Conclusion
The Africa Fellows in Education Program provides a structured, fully supported fellowship for young African researchers to advance education policy through data and evidence. By combining research funding, international training, and professional mentorship, the program strengthens education systems across Sub-Saharan Africa and builds a new generation of policy leaders grounded in rigorous quantitative research.
For more information, visit PEP.