The International Growth Centre (IGC) is offering a prestigious fellowship for early-career local researchers in Sierra Leone, aiming to bolster public policy through rigorous research. This three-month program, running from September to December 2025 in Freetown, provides a unique opportunity for emerging talents to contribute to national development.
Key Takeaways
- A £5,000 research grant to cover fieldwork, data collection, and living expenses.
- Mentorship from experienced IGC academics and the IGC Sierra Leone country team.
- Opportunities for policy engagement with government ministries and stakeholders.
- Expected outputs include a policy brief, working paper, and presentation to policymakers.
Fellowship Focus Areas
Applicants are invited to submit proposals that address critical areas for Sierra Leone’s development. These include countering misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information; strengthening economic ties and fair trade for mutual prosperity; fostering cooperation in energy, science, technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence; and promoting people-to-people connections through sports and the arts, encompassing film and music.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
To be eligible, candidates must be Sierra Leonean nationals or residents currently pursuing postgraduate studies (PhD or Master’s) or holding junior researcher/faculty positions within a Sierra Leonean institution. Essential qualifications include strong quantitative and analytical skills, with proficiency in statistical software such as Stata, R, SPSS, or Python. A commitment to producing policy-relevant research accessible to a non-academic audience is crucial. While not mandatory, prior experience in policy-engaged research, familiarity with government data, knowledge of Sierra Leone’s economic landscape, and excellent academic writing and communication skills are highly desirable.
Interested individuals must submit a Curriculum Vitae (maximum three pages), a Cover Letter (up to 1,000 words) detailing their motivation and research interests, a brief outline of their proposed research idea, and one academic reference. An optional writing sample, such as a thesis chapter or policy paper, can also be included. The application deadline is August 29, 2025.
