- 6 monthsPlacement length
- ~EUR 9,000 (est.)Estimated consultant fees over the placement
- Under 32Maximum age at the deadline
- 3 yearsYears since PhD completion accepted
- Washington, D.C.Main assignment location (or a country office)
- Round-tripEconomy-class air travel provided
At a glance
full
Funding
€18k
Max amount
Dec 31, 2026
Deadline
Sub-Saharan African countries
Country
World Bank Group
Provider
The World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program is a 6-month paid placement for young African researchers at World Bank Group offices in Washington, D.C. or at a country office. It is aimed at nationals of Sub-Saharan African countries who are in the final year of a PhD or have completed one within the past 3 years, and who are under 32 at the application deadline. A set number of fellows are selected each cycle to work alongside Bank teams on knowledge generation, the design of global and country policies, economic policy development, technical assistance and lending operations tied to the institution's twin goals of reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Fellows receive consultant fees for the placement plus round-trip economy-class air travel between their home institution and the assignment location. Because the fellowship pays consultant fees that are set per assignment rather than a published fixed stipend, the amounts shown here are estimates; confirm the exact current-cycle fees, deadline and eligibility on the official World Bank Group page before you apply.
What's covered
- Consultant fees — Selected fellows receive consultant fees for the 6-month assignment, estimated at roughly ~EUR 9,000 (est.) in total though the exact rate is set per assignment by the World Bank Group.
- Round-trip air travel — Round-trip economy-class airfare between the fellow's university or institution and Washington, D.C. or the assigned country office.
- Hands-on WBG experience — Six months of practical work inside World Bank Group operations across research, economic policy and lending teams.
- Research contribution — Fellows contribute to knowledge generation and dissemination and to the design of global and country policies.
- Professional exposure — Direct exposure to international development institutions, valued at well beyond a typical internship and estimated at ~EUR 18,000 (est.) in combined fees and travel support.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the World Bank Group's online recruitment system during the open call.
- Check your eligibility — Confirm you are a Sub-Saharan African national, under 32, and in your final PhD year or within 3 years of completion.
- Prepare your documents — Ready your CV, evidence of PhD enrolment or completion, and details of your research and quantitative skills.
- Complete the online application — Fill in the online application form on the official World Bank Group Africa Fellowship page during the open window.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit your application before the December deadline; late applications are not considered.
- Await notification — Wait for shortlisting and final-selection notifications from the World Bank Group recruitment team.
Eligibility
NationalityNational of a Sub-Saharan African country.
Academic stageIn the final year of a PhD program, or completed a PhD within the past 3 years.
AgeUnder 32 years old at the application deadline.
SkillsStrong written and spoken English plus strong quantitative and analytical skills.
Fields should align with the World Bank Group's areas of work, such as economics, development, public policy and finance. Confirm the current eligible-country list and field priorities on the official page.
Eligible countries
Sub-Saharan African countries
Deadlines
2026 cycle~31 December 2026 (est.)
Selection
Selection runs in two phases. In Phase I, applications are short-listed based on the candidate's specialization and fit with specific World Bank Group units, and applicants are notified of their status. In Phase II, the final list is chosen in consultation with the relevant units, shortlisted candidates are informed, and selected fellows are offered short-term consultant positions for the 6-month placement.
Verified sources
- World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program - official pageworldbank.orgofficial
About the provider
The World Bank Group is an international financial institution headquartered in Washington, D.C. that provides loans, grants, knowledge and technical assistance to developing countries with the goal of reducing poverty and supporting shared prosperity.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who runs the Africa Fellowship Program?
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It is run by the World Bank Group, with placements at its Washington, D.C. headquarters or at a country office.
How long is the fellowship?
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It is a 6-month assignment as a short-term consultant within World Bank Group operations.
Who is eligible to apply?
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Nationals of Sub-Saharan African countries who are in the final year of a PhD or completed one within the past 3 years, and who are under 32 at the deadline.
Is there an age limit?
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Yes. Applicants must be under 32 years old at the application deadline.
What does the fellowship pay?
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Fellows receive consultant fees for the placement, estimated at around ~EUR 9,000 (est.) in total, plus round-trip economy airfare. Confirm the exact current-cycle fees on the official page.
Is travel covered?
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Yes. Round-trip economy-class air travel from your home institution to the assignment location is provided.
What will I work on?
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Fellows contribute to research, knowledge dissemination, policy design, technical assistance and lending operations aligned with the Bank's development mission.
Do I need to speak English?
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Yes. Strong written and spoken English is required, along with strong quantitative and analytical skills.
How do I apply?
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You complete the online application on the official World Bank Group Africa Fellowship page during the open call.
How are fellows selected?
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Selection has two phases: an initial short-list based on specialization and unit fit, followed by final selection in consultation with the relevant units.
When is the deadline?
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The deadline is around 31 December 2026 (est.). Always confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official page.
Where can I confirm the details?
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Check the official World Bank Group Africa Fellowship Program page for the confirmed fees, deadline and eligibility before applying.