Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) Visiting Fellowship 2027/28

The Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) at UC Berkeley invites East and West African researchers and practitioners to apply for its 16-week fellowship. Fellows build skills in impact evaluation and quantitative development research. Applications close on 17 January 2027.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA), UC Berkeley
• Funding: Resident benefits covered in the last cycle; 2027/28 terms not published
• Duration: 16 weeks, in Fall 2027 (August to December) or Spring 2028 (January to May)
• Format: Resident at UC Berkeley, or non-resident online
• Tracks: Practitioner and Academic
• Deadline: 17 January 2027, 5:00 PM GMT

Focus Areas

• Impact evaluation
• Quantitative development research
• Evidence-based policy
• Research mentorship and networks

About the Fellowship

Fellows audit coursework and receive personalized mentorship on their research ideas. They also build research networks. Applicants choose one track and one format:

• Practitioner Track: For professionals at NGOs, think tanks, or government ministries in East or West Africa. They should use or promote evidence to improve well-being.
• Academic Track: For doctoral students and staff at universities or research institutions. Applicants develop their own proposal or join a faculty member’s project.
• Applicants then choose resident or non-resident status.

What Fellows Receive

• Coursework auditing and personalized mentorship
• A research network
• Resident benefits in the 2025/26 cycle: flights, housing, meals, visa fees, health insurance, and a stipend for miscellaneous expenses
• The fellowship pays no salary, so fellows must arrange leave. Confirm the 2027/28 terms and the non-resident benefits with CEGA.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must meet these requirements:

• Be fluent in English
• Come from an East or West African country, with at least secondary schooling in Africa
• Hold a master’s degree, be enrolled in a PhD, or hold a PhD earned within eight years, in a social science or related field
• Plan to return to an institution in East or West Africa afterward
• Resident fellows must come from a J-1-eligible country. These include Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, and Uganda. CEGA gives non-resident places priority to applicants from countries under U.S. visa restrictions. Those include Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. U.S. rules may change these lists.

Required Materials

• A one-page personal statement
• A CV with quantitative coursework
• A two-page research proposal
• A leave approval or support letter from a supervisor
• Two references

How to Apply

Submit your application through CEGA’s online portal before the deadline. Select one preferred track and format.

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Conclusion

This fellowship builds research skills for African evidence leaders, in person or online. Eligible applicants should check the country lists and apply before 17 January 2027.

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