The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) and the World Bank have announced a call for applications for the AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program. This fellowship program is designed to provide access to better information, network, and economic research and data accessible via the World Bank, ultimately equipping individual African researchers with the skills and output required for economic development on the continent.
Program Description
The AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program is a four-month fellowship for African researchers and faculty members affiliated with African universities or research institutions. The program enables participants to spend time at the World Bank, working on their own research that’s relevant to economic development in Africa and collaborating with the World Bank’s researchers to develop those who are based in the African region. The visiting fellows will have an opportunity to access the World Bank’s resources, including data and analytical tools that can be used to advance their research.
Program Expectations
The AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program expects participants to attend AFRCE-led activities, interact with World Bank researchers, contribute meaningfully to the ongoing research and analytical work of the World Bank’s Africa Region, revise their drafts and submit them to the World Bank Working Paper Series and a ranking Journal, present at least one seminar on their own research, and develop a repository of research interests.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program, candidates should:
- be affiliated with African universities or research institutions
- be associated with the African Economic Research Consortium
- have an active AERC research project at least at interim/post field stage or final research paper stage
- demonstrate a genuine interest in the research agenda of the Africa region of the World Bank and imperatives related to sustained African development
- be women
Application Process
The expression of interest and applications for the AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program should include:
- A two-page statement of interest that outlines the research questions, the research objectives, the data sources, the research methods, and the expected outcomes.
- If the applicant teaches a relevant course, they should provide the curriculum/course materials that they would like to improve while visiting the World Bank.
- A draft paper on a subject that is pertinent to the research agenda of the Africa region of the World Bank and imperatives facing African development.
- A copy of the applicant’s updated curriculum vitae.
The application packages must be emailed to the AERC Research Department ([email protected]) on or before the 30th of June 2023.
Benefits
The AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program provides AERC researchers with an opportunity to:
- enhance their skills and output as individual African researchers
- provide access to wider, better information, network and economic research and data available through the World Bank
- advance the ongoing research and analytical work of the World Bank Africa Region
- collaborate with the World Bank’s researchers and peers on World Bank Regional Flagship Studies
- develop a repository of new research interests
- utilize the World Bank’s resources to revise their papers and submit them to the World Bank Working Paper Series and a ranking Journal
Conclusion
The AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program offers a unique opportunity for African researchers and faculty members to work with the World Bank’s researchers to develop solutions that will promote economic development in Africa. Participants in the fellowship program will have an opportunity to access the World Bank’s tools, data, networks, and resources to enhance their research skills, refine their research interests, and build their research capacity.