Through the MENA Scholars Fellowship, academics based in the MENA area can develop the knowledge and expertise necessary to plan and carry out randomised assessments of social development and poverty alleviation policies and initiatives.

Selected scholars will engage in a dedicated training programme, create networks, gain access to mentorship from the J-PAL affiliate network, and have the chance to contribute to a randomised assessment with J-PAL MENA during the course of a two-year fellowship.

The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and Community Jameel are supporting early career researchers and scholars who want to add randomised evaluations to their portfolio of research. This is made possible by the MENA Scholars Fellowship. The research portfolio of J-PAL MENA will be shaped by cohorts of MENA Scholars Fellows, who will also contribute to the strengthening of impact evaluations' local grounding and policy influence throughout the area.

Accepted in June 2023, the first cohort of six MENA scholars will participate in an extensive programme that includes demanding coursework, opportunities for professional growth and mentoring, and active involvement in J-PAL MENA initiatives.

Work on randomised evaluation, mentoring, networking, education, capacity building, media coverage, event participation, and the evaluation design project are the eight components of the fellowship programme. The fellows will engage in online courses offered by MIT MicroMasters, learn about impact evaluations, and collaborate with J-PAL affiliates, staff, and implementing partners. Staff members and post-doctoral fellows from J-PAL MENA will also provide them with additional training. In addition, they will be able to create their own randomised evaluation and present at J-PAL MENA policy meetings.

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is April 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm EEST (GMT+2).