Weiss Fund Fellowship for Junior Researchers 2027

The Weiss Fund Fellowship for Junior Researchers 2027 provides supplementary financial support to exceptional PhD candidates in economics who are entering academic or research careers in eligible developing countries. The fellowship is designed to encourage talented early career economists to build long term research and academic careers in countries where development economics research can contribute to important local and international development challenges.

The fellowship is offered by the Weiss Fund and applications are processed through the American Economic Association’s Job Openings for Economists platform. The programme is intended for candidates who are currently on the academic job market for positions beginning in the 2027 to 2028 academic year and whose research aligns with the Weiss Fund’s objectives.

Successful fellows can receive up to $40,000 per year for a maximum of three years. The support combines a salary supplement with funding for eligible research expenses and visits to leading economics departments. Annual renewal is subject to satisfactory performance and continued compliance with the fellowship requirements.

About the Fellowship

The Weiss Fund Fellowship for Junior Researchers supports economists whose work focuses on development economics and has potential to generate useful evidence for low and middle income countries. The programme seeks researchers with strong academic records, high quality research and a clear commitment to conducting research in eligible developing countries.

Applicants must be graduating from globally leading universities and fall into one of two fellowship tracks. The first track is for candidates who have an Assistant Professor offer from an academic institution located in a Weiss Fund eligible country.

The second track is for candidates affiliated with a globally leading university through a postdoctoral fellowship or equivalent research position while being based in a Weiss Fund eligible country. Candidates in this track are expected to spend at least 65 percent of their time in eligible countries and develop meaningful connections with a research community in the country or region.

Applicants in the second track must also submit a research statement explaining the projects they intend to pursue during the fellowship and demonstrating how the proposed work aligns with the goals of the Weiss Fund.

Fellowship Benefits

• Up to $40,000 in annual support

• $20,000 per year as a salary supplement

• $20,000 per year for eligible research expenses and visits to leading economics departments

• Fellowship support for up to three years

• Annual renewal subject to satisfactory performance

• Opportunity to apply for additional Weiss Fund research funding calls

• Flexibility in funding allocation for eligible postdoctoral and equivalent research candidates

Research Focus

The fellowship focuses on development economics and research that can contribute useful evidence for developing countries.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong research agenda with potential for meaningful long term impact. The selection committee considers the strength of the applicant’s research, the potential effect of the fellowship on the applicant’s research trajectory and the fit between the applicant’s work and the objectives of the Weiss Fund.

Research progress during the fellowship may include securing research funding, registering pre analysis plans, conducting fieldwork, submitting research papers and advancing manuscripts toward publication.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must currently be on the academic job market for a position beginning in the 2027 to 2028 academic year.

• Applicants must complete a PhD in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Resource Economics, Public Policy or a closely related field by July 1, 2027.

• Applicants who completed their PhD before 2025 are not eligible.

• Applicants must be graduating from a globally leading university.

• Fellows must be based in a Weiss Fund eligible developing country during the fellowship.

• Fellows must have no other employment during the fellowship period.

• Applicants must conduct research that meets the Weiss Fund’s eligibility requirements.

• Assistant Professor applicants must have an offer from an academic institution in a Weiss Fund eligible country.

• Postdoctoral or equivalent research applicants must have an appropriate affiliation with a globally leading university and spend at least 65 percent of their time in eligible countries.

• Postdoctoral and equivalent research candidates must participate in a research community in the country or region where they are based.

Fellowship Tracks

Track 1: Assistant Professor Positions

This track is intended for applicants who have an Assistant Professor position offer at an academic institution in a Weiss Fund eligible country.

Eligible countries are generally those with a per capita GDP below $13,750 in current US dollars, with preference given to countries below $6,875.

Track 2: Postdoctoral or Equivalent Research Positions

This track is intended for researchers affiliated with a globally leading university through a postdoctoral fellowship or equivalent academic research position while being based in a Weiss Fund eligible country.

Applicants must spend at least 65 percent of their time in eligible countries and develop connections with local or regional research communities. These connections may involve universities, development institutions, World Bank country offices or organisations such as Innovations for Poverty Action.

Required Application Materials

• Current CV

• Three letters of reference

• Information about interviews, flyouts and offers

• Information about Weiss Fund eligible positions applied for or under consideration

• Research statement of no more than three pages

• Job market paper

Applicants in the postdoctoral or equivalent research track should also explain the research projects they intend to pursue during the fellowship.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee considers several aspects of each application.

• Strength and quality of the applicant’s research

• Potential contribution to useful research in development economics

• Alignment between the research agenda and Weiss Fund objectives

• Potential long term impact on the applicant’s research career

• Commitment to conducting development economics research

• Job market circumstances and competing opportunities

• Fit with an academic or research position in a Weiss Fund eligible country

Applicants may be asked to provide information about interviews, flyouts and competing offers as part of the selection process.

How to Apply

1. Review the official Weiss Fund Fellowship requirements and determine which fellowship track applies to your situation.
2. Confirm that your PhD field, completion date, research agenda and intended position meet the eligibility requirements.
3. Prepare your current CV, job market paper, research statement and three reference letters.
4. Compile information about your academic job market activities, including interviews, flyouts, offers and eligible positions under consideration.
5. Submit the application through the American Economic Association’s Job Openings for Economists platform.
6. Apply as early as possible, particularly if you are pursuing an eligible academic or research position in a Weiss Fund eligible country.