The African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) has initiated the call for expressions of interest for the 2026/2027 AERC-World Bank Visiting Scholars Program. According to Opportunity Desk, the fellowship invites members of the AERC’s established network of faculty and researchers to engage in high-level economic policy research alongside experts at the World Bank.

Participants in this initiative will have the opportunity to reside at the World Bank headquarters, focusing their research on economic development challenges specific to the African continent. The program aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical policy application by integrating visiting scholars into the World Bank’s internal research workflows.

Why It Matters

This program serves as a vital conduit for human capital development within African economic institutions. By allowing regional scholars to work directly with World Bank researchers, the program fosters a two-way transfer of knowledge that informs global development policy while enhancing the analytical capabilities of African universities. This integration is essential for ensuring that international development strategies remain grounded in local institutional realities rather than relying solely on external economic models. Strengthening these ties helps ensure more effective, evidence-based policy outcomes for the region's long-term fiscal stability.