CEGA Visiting Fellowship 2027-28 in USA | Fully Funded

The CEGA Visiting Fellowship 2027–28 is a 16-week fellowship in the United States for eligible researchers and practitioners from East and West Africa. The program is offered by the Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) to strengthen participants’ skills in quantitative development research.

Fellows will have opportunities to audit coursework, receive personalized research mentorship, develop research ideas, and build professional networks. Participants can choose between the Fall 2027 or Spring 2028 cohort, with options for in-person participation at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), or virtual participation.

CEGA Visiting Fellowship Benefits

• Monetary stipend for miscellaneous expenses, amount not specified
• Roundtrip flights for resident fellows
• Accommodation at International House for resident fellows
• Meals for resident fellows
• Visa fees for resident fellows
• Health insurance for resident fellows

CEGA Visiting Fellowship Eligibility Criteria

• Must be from an East African or West African country
• Must have completed at least secondary education in an African institution
• Must be fluent in English, both written and spoken
• Must have at least a Master’s degree, be currently enrolled in a PhD, or have completed a PhD within the past 8 years
• Must plan to return to an institution in East or West Africa after the fellowship
• Resident fellows must be from countries eligible for a J-1 visa under current U.S. requirements: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles, Uganda
• Non-resident fellows receive priority if they are from Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
• Academic Track applicants should be doctoral students or hold a staff position at a university or research institution
• Practitioner Track applicants should work for an NGO, think tank, or government ministry in East or West Africa

How to Apply for CEGA Visiting Fellowship

• Prepare the required materials before submitting the application
• Personal statement (maximum 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume (maximum 2 pages)
• Practitioner Track: Policy Statement (maximum 2 pages) or Academic Track: Research Proposal (maximum 2 pages)
• Names and contact information for two references
• Evidence of leave approval or a letter of support from a supervisor or department chair
• Optional: one working paper or publication
• Submit the application through the official application portal
• Applications are accepted only through the online application portal

Important Notes

• The deadline is Friday, January 17, 2027 at 5 PM GMT
• Resident fellows must commit full-time, about 40 hours per week, for four months
• Non-resident fellows must commit part-time, about 15 to 20 hours per week, for four months
• Fellows are also expected to deliver a final presentation and meet any reporting requirements linked to pilot or catalyst grants

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to common questions about the CEGA Fellowship. The answers use only the details published for this programme.