CEGA Fellowship Program 2027–2028: Research Fellowship for African Scholars and Practitioners at UC Berkeley

Overview

The Center for Effective Global Action at the University of California, Berkeley, offers the CEGA Fellowship Program for African researchers and professionals to strengthen their skills in quantitative development research and impact evaluation. The 16-week programme spans either the Fall 2027 cycle from August to December or the Spring 2028 cycle from January to May. Participants may complete the fellowship either in person at UC Berkeley or remotely. Applicants choose between the Practitioner Track, aimed at professionals in government ministries, non-governmental organisations, and think tanks in East or West Africa, and the Academic Track, designed for early-career scholars and doctoral students.

Who can apply

Applicants must be from an eligible East or West African country, have completed at least secondary school education at an African institution, be fluent in written and spoken English, and plan to return to an institution in East or West Africa following the fellowship. Candidates must hold at least a Master degree, currently be enrolled in a doctoral programme, or have completed a PhD within the previous eight years. They must also have an academic background in economics, political science, statistics, epidemiology, public health, or another social science discipline. Practitioner Track applicants must work for an NGO, think tank, or government ministry in East or West Africa, seek to advance into senior roles, promote evidence in decision-making, and apply research findings to policy. Academic Track applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral programme or hold a position at a university or research institution, preferably supporting policy-relevant quantitative social science research. There is no age limit, and female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. Zimbabwean applicants should contact CEGA before applying to confirm eligibility.

What you get

Selected participants receive a monetary stipend, training in quantitative development research and impact evaluation, guidance to develop research ideas, professional networking opportunities, and access to a community of African impact evaluation researchers. Fellows can audit tailored university coursework and receive personalised mentorship from faculty members alongside support from PhD peer partners. Resident fellows participating in person at UC Berkeley also receive coverage for roundtrip flights, accommodation at International House at UC Berkeley, meals, visa fees, and health insurance.

Requirements

Applicants must submit a personal statement of a maximum of one page outlining their motivation, career goals, expected outcomes, and commitment to the fellowship, alongside a curriculum vitae of up to two pages including relevant quantitative coursework. Applications must be submitted through the online application portal.

Key dates

The application deadline is 17 January 2027 at 5:00 PM GMT. The fellowship runs in two cycles: the Fall 2027 cycle from August to December, and the Spring 2028 cycle from January to May.