Apply for Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE) Fellowships 2027 (Fully Funded to the University of Oxford)

Application Deadline: May 15, 2026

About the Fellowships

Applications are now open for the 2027 Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE) Fellowships. The CSAE Visiting Fellowship scheme supports a residency in Oxford from January to March, including flights, accommodation, and a small stipend. The Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE) is based in the Department of Economics at the University of Oxford, one of the world’s leading centers for research on African economies. The CSAE has a long-standing commitment to building economic research capacity in Africa and to fostering collaboration between African and Oxford-based economists. The Visiting Fellowship scheme is a key part of this mission, providing African scholars with an opportunity to engage with Oxford’s research community, access its resources, and develop their own research in a world-class academic environment.

The fellowship offers a unique opportunity for African economists to spend up to three months in Oxford, working alongside CSAE researchers, presenting their work, attending seminars, and developing collaborative projects. Fellows also gain access to Oxford’s libraries, databases, and other research resources, as well as the opportunity to network with scholars from around the world.

Fellowship Benefits

The CSAE Visiting Fellowship scheme supports a residency in Oxford from January to March, including:

• Flights – Round-trip travel to and from Oxford
• Accommodation – Housing during the residency period
• Small stipend – To cover living expenses while in Oxford
• Access to Oxford resources – Libraries, databases, and research facilities
• Engagement with CSAE researchers – Opportunities to present work, attend seminars, and collaborate
• Office space – A workspace within the CSAE or Department of Economics

Note: The fellowship does not cover salary, research expenses, or costs for accompanying family members. Fellows are expected to be self-sufficient beyond the provided stipend.

Eligibility Requirements

The scheme is open to African scholars currently pursuing a career in economics. Applications are welcomed from citizens of all African countries.

Essential Criteria:

• Applicants must have a doctorate in economics (PhD or equivalent)
• Applicants must be citizens of an African country (all African countries are eligible)
• Applicants must be currently pursuing a career in economics (academic, research, or policy-focused)

Desirable Criteria:

• Strong research record in African economies or development economics
• Clear plan for research to be conducted during the fellowship
• Interest in engaging with the CSAE research community
• Potential for long-term collaboration between the applicant’s home institution and CSAE

Note: The fellowship is designed for African scholars based in Africa. Preference may be given to applicants who are currently employed at an African university or research institution.

What the Fellowship Looks For

The CSAE Visiting Fellowship seeks candidates who demonstrate:

Research Excellence:

• Strong academic record in economics
• Publication record appropriate to career stage
• Clear research question and methodology for work to be conducted during the fellowship

Relevance to African Economies:

• Research focus on economic issues relevant to African countries
• Use of African data or case studies
• Potential to contribute to policy or practice in Africa

Collaborative Potential:

• Interest in engaging with CSAE researchers and their work
• Willingness to present research and receive feedback
• Potential for ongoing collaboration after the fellowship

Career Development:

• Clear plan for how the fellowship will advance the applicant’s career
• Intention to share learning with colleagues at home institution
• Commitment to building economic research capacity in Africa

Application Process

To apply for the CSAE Visiting Fellowships Scheme, applicants must complete the online form in full. This year, CSAE is using the Oxford Abstracts system to collect applications.

Step 1: Create an Oxford Abstracts Account

If you do not already have an Oxford Abstracts account:

• Create an Oxford Abstracts account with your email address (please use your institution email address) and a password
• You will receive an email from Oxford Abstracts asking you to verify your email address. Click the ‘verify email’ button in this email
• When your account is created, you will see a generic message asking you to go to the conference website you are interested in
• Enter the CSAE Visiting Fellowships 2027 application form link into your browser again – this will take you to the application form for 2027 entry (now that you have an Oxford Abstracts account)

Step 2: Complete the CSAE Visiting Fellowships 2027 Application Form

Once you have created an Oxford Abstracts account, you will be able to apply for the fellowship scheme.

• Follow the link to the CSAE Visiting Fellowships Scheme 2027 Application Form
• Complete all the fields in the application form
• When you have filled in all the fields on a page of the form, click ‘Next’ in the bottom right of the page to move on to the next page
• If you have not filled in a field that is required, a notification box will appear to let you know that you need to go back and fill this in

Step 3: Submit and Complete Your Form

• When you have completed all of the form information and uploaded any required documents, click ‘Submit’ in the bottom right-hand corner of the final page
• You will then see all of your application information for you to review
• If you need to make a change to the information, click ‘Amend’ in the top left-hand corner – this will take you back to the form to edit your information
• If you have completed all required fields and are happy with your application information, click ‘Complete’

Important Note: If you do not complete all required fields, your application will be ‘incomplete’ and will not be considered. In this instance, you will receive an email letting you know that your application is incomplete, and you will have until the application deadline (May 15, 2026) to complete the form in full.

Required Application Materials:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Research proposal outlining work to be conducted during the fellowship
• Writing sample (e.g., published paper or working paper)
• Two academic references (to be submitted separately or as part of the application)
• Proof of PhD in economics

Why This Fellowship Matters

African economists face significant barriers to international collaboration and access to top-tier research resources. While many are conducting excellent research on African economies, they often lack the networks, data, and facilities available at leading global institutions like Oxford.

The CSAE Visiting Fellowship addresses these barriers by:

• Providing access to Oxford’s world-class libraries, databases, and research infrastructure
• Facilitating connections with leading economists working on African issues
• Creating opportunities for long-term collaboration between African and Oxford-based researchers
• Supporting research that advances understanding of African economies and informs policy
• Building capacity by enabling African scholars to bring new skills and knowledge back to their home institutions

The fellowship also benefits the broader research community. African scholars bring unique perspectives, local knowledge, and access to data that enrich the work of CSAE researchers. The exchange is genuinely mutual, with both sides learning from each other.

Many former CSAE Visiting Fellows have gone on to:

• Publish in top economics journals
• Secure research funding for collaborative projects
• Build lasting partnerships between their home institutions and Oxford
• Influence economic policy in their home countries
• Train the next generation of African economists

By investing in African economists, the CSAE is investing in the continent’s economic future. Better research leads to better policy, which leads to better outcomes for the millions of people who depend on African economies for their livelihoods.

Click here to apply

For More Information: Visit the Official Webpage of the Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE) Fellowships