PhD Students from Africa: Apply for the 2026 WBG Fellowship in Washington D.C (6-Month Paid Program)

Fully funded 6-month World Bank Fellowship in Washington D.C. or Africa for Ph.D. holders from Sub-Saharan Africa. Apply by August 25, 2025.

This prestigious program offers young African researchers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in development research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations at the World Bank. Women and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Deadline: August 25, 2025
Applications Open: July 1, 2025
Location: Washington D.C. or WBG Country Office
Duration: 6 Months (January–June 2026)
Status: Fully Funded (Consultant Fees + Roundtrip Airfare)

What Fellows Will Do

Selected fellows will:

Spend 6 months working in-person at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C. or at a WBG country office
Participate in high-impact projects involving research, data analysis, policy development, and lending operations
Collaborate with experts and contribute to the World Bank’s goals of poverty reduction and shared prosperity across Africa
Gain exposure to global development challenges and solutions

Program Benefits

Consultant fees for the duration of the 6-month assignment
Round-trip economy-class airfare to Washington D.C. or a selected WBG country office
Mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities in an international environment

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be a Sub-Saharan African national
Be a Ph.D. candidate (in the final year) or a recent Ph.D. graduate (within the last 3 years)
Be under 32 years old by the application deadline (August 25, 2025)
Have excellent command of English (written and verbal)
Possess strong quantitative and analytical skills
Have a research background in areas relevant to the World Bank’s work (e.g., economics, public policy, education, health, infrastructure, climate, agriculture, governance, etc.)

Selection Process

Phase I – Shortlisting

A shortlist of candidates will be created based on their specialization and professional interest. Shortlisted candidates will be matched to WBG units.

Phase II – Final Selection

WBG units will conduct interviews and select the final fellows. Selected candidates will receive an offer and be hired as Short-Term Consultants for the 6-month assignment starting January 2026.

How to Apply

Submit your application online through the official application portal. You will be required to upload: