STAARS fellowship Program for early-career African Researchers (Fully Funded) is now accepting applications

The Structural Transformation of African Agriculture and Rural Spaces (STAARS) fellowship program, a collaboration between Cornell University, the World Bank’s Development Research Group, and the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), is excited to announce its annual call for research proposals. We are looking for early-career African researchers who are passionate about advancing rigorous, policy-oriented research on various aspects of African agriculture and rural spaces.

As a STAARS Fellow in 2024, you will have the opportunity to delve into the causal determinants of productivity and income growth, asset accumulation, rural employment, and risk management in African agriculture and rural areas. The fellowship covers travel and training expenses, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your research.

Eligibility

Throughout the program, you will be paired with experienced mentors from Cornell University, the World Bank, or PEP. Together, you will collaborate on a research paper that explores a topic of mutual interest related to structural transformation in Africa south of the Sahara. Our goal is to publish your research findings in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and as working papers.

In addition to the research support, the World Bank, PEP, and Cornell will provide opportunities for you to participate in scientific and policy conferences, receive professional development training, and expand your international research networks. We are committed to helping you grow as a researcher and make a meaningful impact in your field.

Eligibility

• If you are an early-career African researcher, either a Ph.D. student in your final year or someone who completed their Ph.D. no earlier than 2018, we encourage you to apply.
• Priority will be given to African nationals based and working in Africa, or those planning to return to Africa soon.
• We especially welcome applications from qualified female researchers who can benefit from mentorship and additional training to become internationally respected and recognized researchers.
• Applicants are required to complete the proposed project by submitting their findings as a draft working paper by December 13, 2024. After that, they should proceed to submit the paper to a peer-reviewed journal and/or conferences by June 30, 2025.
• Researchers should have a good understanding of existing data sets and have demonstrated access to them. They should also have a strong working knowledge of appropriate software, such as Stata and/or R, and an interest in econometric analysis of high-quality data sets.
• Knowledge of geo-referenced data and GIS software is a plus. The knowledge of Stata and/or R will be evaluated during the finalist stage.

Benefits

• Selected applicants will receive funds to cover travel and participation in a three-week mentorship program at either Cornell University or the World Bank, depending on the mentorship arrangement.
• The rest of the research coordination and professional development training will be conducted virtually.
• Fellows are expected to dedicate a significant amount of time to the proposed research and capacity development activities.
• While a modest honorarium will be provided, there is no salary support available, and STAARS will not cover the scholar’s time allocated to this research.
• For details, please visit Official Webpage of STAARS Fellowship Program 2024.
• Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to the structural transformation of African agriculture and rural spaces. Apply now and join us in making a difference! Deadline: January 19, 2024