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.

Click Here to Apply

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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