AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026

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The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), in partnership with the World Bank’s Office of the Chief Economist for Africa Region, has opened applications for the AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026.

The program is designed for researchers within the AERC network who are working on research related to economic development in Africa. Selected scholars will spend four to six months at the World Bank, where they can develop their research, work with World Bank economists, access research resources and contribute to ongoing work focused on Africa.

For the 2026/2027 cohort, AERC says up to two awards will be announced. The application deadline is September 6, 2026.

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Overview of AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026

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What Does the Program Offer?

Selected visiting scholars will work with the World Bank’s Africa Region Chief Economist’s Office.

During the placement, scholars can:

• Work with World Bank researchers.
• Participate in research and capacity-building activities.
• Access World Bank research resources and data.
• Present their research at a seminar.
• Improve their research paper.
• Contribute to World Bank research on Africa.
• Work toward submitting research to the World Bank Working Paper Series and a ranked journal.
• Improve relevant teaching materials where applicable.

The World Bank identifies the AERC Visiting Scholars Program as part of its Think Africa Partnership, which supports collaboration between African researchers and policymakers.

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Who Can Apply?

The program is specifically designed for AERC researchers, including researchers from the AERC Collaborative PhD Programme.

Applicants must:

• Be an AERC researcher.
• Have an active AERC research project at the interim/post-field stage or final research paper stage.
• Have research relevant to the World Bank Africa Region’s research agenda and African development priorities.

The program is therefore not a general scholarship open to international students or researchers outside the AERC network.

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Research Areas

The proposed research should be relevant to economic development in Africa and the World Bank Africa Region’s research priorities.

Previous scholars have worked on topics including:

• Poverty and inequality
• Education
• Gender
• Agriculture
• Human capital
• Labor markets
• Energy
• Climate change
• Financial inclusion
• Economic productivity
• Trade
• Public finance

The World Bank’s program profiles show that visiting scholars have contributed to research on issues including poverty, structural transformation, energy, education, gender and economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit an expression of interest with the following documents:

1. Two-page statement of interest
2. Draft research paper relevant to the World Bank Africa Region and African development
3. Curriculum or course materials, if the applicant teaches a relevant course
4. Updated CV

The documents should be prepared in PDF format for submission through the AERC application form.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program 2026/2027 cohort is September 6, 2026.

AERC states that late applications will not be considered.

Women, Francophone and Lusophone candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the official AERC application form.

Applicants need to provide their personal information and upload the required documents in PDF format. The online form asks for:

• Updated CV
• First name
• Last name
• Email address
• Two-page statement of interest
• Draft research paper
• Relevant curriculum or course materials, if applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program?
It is a research placement program for AERC researchers in partnership with the World Bank.

How long is the program?
The 2026 AERC call states that scholars will visit the World Bank for four to six months.

How many scholars will be selected?
Up to two researchers will be selected for the 2026/2027 cohort.

What is the deadline?
The application deadline is September 6, 2026.

Can anyone apply?
No. Applicants must meet the AERC eligibility requirements and have an active qualifying AERC research project.

Is this a fully funded scholarship?
The call describes the opportunity as a visiting scholars research program. Applicants should review the official terms and conditions for details about the financial arrangements of the placement.