Grant opportunity
World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program 2027
The World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program gives young African PhD researchers six months of hands-on experience in development research, economic policy, technical assistance and lending operations.
- Funder
- World Bank Group
- Applications close 25 August 2026
- Applications close 25 August 2026: Aug 25, 2026
- Award
- Fully funded six-month fellowship assignment as an Extended Term Consultant
- Applicant
- Sub-Saharan African nationals who are final-year PhD candidates or recent PhD graduates within three years of completion, age 32 or younger by 1 January 2027.
- Discipline
- Social Sciences, Policy and Governance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa / Global South
- Posted
- Jul 20, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The 2027 WBG Africa Fellowship Program is designed to build the next generation of African scholars and policy professionals working on poverty reduction, development research and shared prosperity.
Who can apply
Applicants must be Sub-Saharan African nationals, be enrolled in the final year of a PhD programme or have completed a PhD within the last three years, have strong quantitative and analytical skills, have excellent English, and be 32 or younger by 1 January 2027. Women are encouraged to apply.
What it supports
- Six-month assignment at World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C. or a country office.
- Development research, economic policy, technical assistance and lending operations.
- Work connected to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity and strengthening development policy capacity.
Funding and duration
- Selected fellows are hired as Extended Term Consultants for six months.
- The fellowship includes a professional placement beginning in January 2027; applicants should check the official page for contract and benefit details.
Applications close 25 August 2026
Applications close 25 August 2026: Aug 25, 2026
How to apply
Apply through the official application route linked from the World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program page before 25 August 2026.
Call details
Source-based overview
The World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program is open for the 2027 cohort. It targets young African PhD candidates and recent PhD graduates whose research and skills are relevant to the World Bank Group's work in development, economic policy, technical assistance and operations.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Sub-Saharan African nationals, be enrolled in the final year of a PhD programme or have completed a PhD within the last three years, have strong quantitative and analytical skills, have excellent English, and be 32 or younger by 1 January 2027. Women are encouraged to apply.
Funding and benefits
Selected fellows are hired as Extended Term Consultants for six months.
The fellowship includes a professional placement beginning in January 2027; applicants should check the official page for contract and benefit details.
Themes and supported activities
Six-month assignment at World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C. or a country office.
Development research, economic policy, technical assistance and lending operations.
Work connected to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity and strengthening development policy capacity.
Deadline and timeline
Applications close 25 August 2026: Applications close 25 August 2026: Aug 25, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Apply through the official application route linked from the World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program page before 25 August 2026.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.