Description

The World Bank Group is accepting applications for the 2027 Africa Fellowship Program from researchers who are nationals of Sub-Saharan African countries. Fellows complete a six-month assignment at headquarters in Washington or in a country office. They join operational teams working on research, economic policy, technical assistance, knowledge production, and lending activities. The program is designed to connect doctoral expertise with practical development challenges and to strengthen the pipeline of African researchers interested in careers with international institutions, governments, think tanks, or universities. Applicants must be in the final year of a PhD program or have completed the degree within the previous three years. They must be 32 or younger on January 1, 2027, have excellent written and spoken English, and demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical abilities. Women are expressly encouraged to apply. During the first selection phase, shortlisted profiles are shared with World Bank Group units according to specialization. Final fellows are selected with those units and hired as Extended Term Consultants for six months beginning in January 2027. The official page does not publish a fixed compensation figure, so candidates should rely on the contractual terms provided by the World Bank Group. Applications must be submitted through the dedicated portal by August 25, 2026.

Official source and verification

Eligibility criteria

• Be a national of a Sub-Saharan African country
• Be in the final PhD year or have graduated within the past three years
• Be 32 or younger on January 1, 2027
• Have excellent English and strong quantitative and analytical skills

Application procedure