NIERA Policy Fellowship Program 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
If you are a policymaker from West or East Africa seeking to enhance your expertise in evidence-informed policymaking, applications are now open for the inaugural Network of Impact Evaluation Researchers in Africa (NIERA) Policy Fellowship Program 2025. This six-week fellowship offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with researchers, develop impactful policy proposals, and address critical evidence needs within your sector. Details in this article
NIERA Policy Fellowship Summary
Location: Virtual
Organized By: Network of Impact Evaluation Researchers in Africa (NIERA)
Type: Professional Development Fellowship
Target Group: Mid-level policymakers and lawmakers from eligible West and East African countries
Thematic Areas: Education, Health, Agriculture
Value & Coverage: Daily stipend of $50 + Honorarium of $1,000 upon successful completion
Duration: Six weeks
Application Deadline: May 7, 2025, by 5:00 PM East African Time (EAT)
Start Date: To be announced
NIERA Policy Fellowship Overview
The NIERA Policy Fellowship Program is designed to strengthen the capacity of African policymakers in utilizing evidence for informed decision-making. The fellowship begins with a one-week online course covering five modules:
Revisiting the policymaking process
Accessing evidence
Appraising evidence
Synthesizing evidence
Applying evidence
Following the course, fellows will engage in a five-week virtual collaboration with a NIERA researcher to develop a concise research proposal (concept note) addressing a specific evidence need identified by the policymaker.
Eligible Countries
Applications for the NIERA Policy Fellowships are accepted from applicants from the following countries:
Burundi
Cote D’Ivoire
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Mali
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Tanzania
The Gambia
Uganda
Cameroon
Fellowship Benefits
Financial Support: Fellows will receive a daily stipend of $50 during the program and an honorarium of $1,000 upon successful completion.
Research Collaboration: Opportunity to co-develop a research proposal with experienced researchers.
Networking Opportunities: Engage with a network of policymakers and researchers across Africa.
Skill Enhancement: Gain practical skills in evidence-informed policymaking.
Eligibility Criteria
Be fluent in English (written and spoken) and possess strong communication skills.
Be from an eligible West or East African country
Be a mid-level policymaker with direct responsibility for providing technical advice to top-level policymakers and/or drafting policy or program documents.
Have at least a Bachelor’s degree.
Have demonstrable experience in policy development or program management.
Possess good computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office Suite and internet research.
Own a laptop and have a reliable internet connection for participating in the online workshop.
Be self-driven and ready to learn and apply acquired skills, as well as support others needing similar skills.
Have written support from their employer.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should submit via email the following:
Evidence Needs Statement (1 page max)
A personal statement detailing their interest and qualifications (1 page max)
A current resume or curriculum vitae
A letter of support from their employer.
Name and contact information for two references
⚠️ All documents must be written in Arial font, size 11, single line spacing, normal margins. Acceptable formats include docx and pdf. Documents not following these specifications will not be considered.
Applicants are asked to submit their application materials to [proposals@nieraglobal.org] by 5:00 PM EAT on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. An acknowledgment of receipt will be sent to all applicants whose application was received before the deadline. All personal information and documents submitted will be kept confidential, used solely for the fellowship application process, and will be stored securely.
🗓️ Key Dates:
March 24, 2025: Release of Request for Applications
April 3, 2025:Virtual information session for potential applicants (2:00 PM EAT); [To register for the information session click here]
May 7, 2025: Application deadline
May 8 – 23, 2025: Application review
May 26 – June 6, 2025: Interviews with shortlisted applicants
June 13, 2025: Notification of final selection.
ℹ️ Contact Information:
For any inquiries about the NIERA Policy Fellowship Program, contact the fellowship coordinator at [info@nieraglobal.org].
For further details, download the call for applications PDF document here.
🔗 OFFICIAL CALL LETTER
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