J-PAL MENA Scholars Fellowship

The J-PAL MENA Scholars Fellowship is a prestigious research opportunity offered by the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) for scholars focused on development economics in the Middle East and North Africa region. This fellowship supports graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career academics conducting rigorous impact evaluations and policy-relevant research. Fellows receive funding, mentorship from J-PAL affiliated professors, access to research resources, and opportunities to collaborate with policymakers. The program aims to build research capacity in the MENA region while addressing critical development challenges through evidence-based approaches. Eligible applicants typically have strong backgrounds in economics, public policy, or related social sciences, with demonstrated interest in poverty alleviation and development. The fellowship duration varies but often includes summer research placements, academic year support, or multi-year funding for doctoral candidates. Successful fellows contribute to J-PAL’s global network of researchers and gain valuable experience in randomized evaluations and policy engagement. Applications usually require research proposals, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and statements of purpose. The selection process is competitive, emphasizing research quality, relevance to MENA development priorities, and potential for policy impact.