Call for Applications: Public Policy Analysis Training Course for Students and Young Researchers – Georgia

This project is made possible by the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The program aims to strengthen informed public policy by building analytical capacity among students, researchers, and policy professionals. In order to equip students and young researchers with deeper knowledge in public policy and tools for analysis, GIP will establish a Public Policy Analysis Hub. It will serve as a space for learning, gaining experience, exchanging with peers, experts and academics, and producing evidence-based research and analysis on good governance, transparency, PAR, and other public policy issues.

The Public Policy Analysis training program also has strong mentorship and international exposure components. Selected participants will have an opportunity to gain relevant international experience in Europe, promote their capacity to conduct thematic research and advocacy under the mentorship of the local and international policy experts.

In total, 25 students and young researchers will be selected for this program. Selected participants will take part in a 2-month training course consisting of 16 thematic theoretical and practical sessions. The courses will be delivered by local and international experts, in Georgian and English languages.

• The participants will be able to propose research ideas according to the course module and receive stipends to pursue their research under mentorship. Their papers will be published and presented to a wider audience.
• Up to 4 best students will receive stipends to attend a summer course at a European university.

The course will include the following thematic sessions:

• Introduction in public policy and public policy analysis
• Good governance
• Research methods for public policy analysis
• Practical workshop in policy research writing
• Decentralization and self-governance
• Transparency and accountability
• Ethics in the Public Sector

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• BA and MA students and recent graduates, as well as Ph.D. students from Georgia. Applicants can be from the different fields.
• Age – up to 30 years.
• Fluency in English.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills as well as critical thinking and willingness to question dominant narratives.
• Good verbal communication skills.
• Interest in working in the public policy sphere.
• Commitment to take part in the entire course, elaborate original research ideas connected to public policy, and readiness to travel to Europe.
• Readiness to work on public policy research under the mentorship of the expert, receive constructive critical feedback, engage in discussions, and revise the paper accordingly.

For more information, visit Georgian Institute of Politics.