Women harvest vegetables in Mafinda, Sierra Leone. Women work together harvesting vegetables to sell in the market in Mafinda, Sierra Leone on April 30, 2014. (Photo by Alison Wright/Getty Images)

Call for applications: IGC Sierra Leone early-career local researcher fellowship 2025

Supporting evidence-based policymaking for inclusive growth in Sierra Leone

Background and rationale

Sierra Leone’s ambitious development vision, as outlined in its Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030), hinges on data-driven policymaking and evidence-based solutions to address critical challenges. Robust, timely research is essential to guide effective policy design and implementation, ensuring tangible progress toward national objectives. The International Growth Centre (IGC) proudly supports this mission through its commitment to applied research and collaborative partnerships with government stakeholders.

Under the Herbert P. M’cleod Local Researchers Programme (HPMLRP), the 2025 IGC early-career local researcher fellowship stands as a cornerstone initiative to cultivate Sierra Leone’s next generation of economists and policymakers. This fellowship equips early-career researchers with the opportunity to engage directly in high-impact, policy-relevant work while addressing pressing national priorities. Fellows will collaborate closely with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to produce actionable insights that inform decision-making and drive sustainable development.

This year’s competition prioritises two key areas:

1. Agricultural resilience: One fellowship slot is dedicated to advancing Sierra Leone’s goal of rice self-sufficiency and food security, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture.

2. Economic reforms: Two additional fellowships will focus on broader economic reform priorities, including fiscal governance, private-sector growth, and inclusive development.

These domains align with the Government of Sierra Leone’s (GoSL) strategic agenda while reflecting IGC’s global expertise in economic transformation, governance, and sustainable growth. By bridging academic rigor with real-world policy challenges, the fellowship aims to build local capacity while delivering research that accelerates progress toward Sierra Leone’s developmental aspirations.

We invite dynamic early-career researchers to join this initiative and contribute to shaping Sierra Leone’s future through innovative, evidence-based solutions.

Policy domains and priority themes

Track 1: Rice policy and food security (Ministry of Agriculture)

Sierra Leone remains heavily dependent on rice imports despite its agro-ecological potential for self-sufficiency. A recently proposed increase in rice import tariffs (from 5% to 10%) was rolled back by Cabinet due to concerns over food prices and political economy sensitivities. This creates space for rigorous analysis and strategic policy development.

Fellows under this track will work with the Ministry of Agriculture to address:

  • What is the price elasticity of demand for imported vs. local rice, and how do different consumer segments respond to price changes?
  • What are feasible import substitution strategies—by region, season, or rice variety—and how should sequencing be structured?
  • What are the political economy constraints in the rice trade ecosystem that influence tariff policy, subsidies, and distributional outcomes?

Track 2: Broader economic policy challenges 

Aligned with the MTNDP and IGC's thematic areas, we invite research proposals under the following broad areas:

1. State effectiveness and public finance

  • How can public sector institutions improve service delivery and budget execution at national or local levels?
  • What innovations in taxation, procurement, or digital governance can enhance domestic revenue mobilisation?

2. Private sector development and firm capabilities

  • What are the binding constraints facing SMEs and large firms in Sierra Leone?
  • How do business environment reforms (e.g. credit access, contract enforcement, or tax policy) affect firm performance?

3. Labour markets and human capital

  • What are the challenges and opportunities in creating jobs for youth, women, and informal sector workers?
  • How do education and skills development programmes influence employment outcomes?

4. Energy, environment, and climate adaptation

  • How can Sierra Leone achieve reliable energy access while transitioning to sustainable energy sources?
  • What are the economic costs of environmental degradation and climate-related risks?
  • Duration: 3 months (September–December 2025)
  • Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone (with flexibility for hybrid modalities)
  • Support package:
    • A research grant of £5,000 to support fieldwork, data collection, and living costs
    • Mentorship from IGC-affiliated academics and the IGC Sierra Leone country team
    • Policy engagement opportunities with relevant government ministries and stakeholders
  • Expected outputs:
    • A short policy brief, a working paper, and a presentation to relevant policymakers

Applicants must:

  • Be Sierra Leonean nationals or residents currently enrolled in a postgraduate programme (PhD or Master’s) or serving as junior researchers or faculty in a Sierra Leonean institution;
  • Demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical skills, including proficiency in tools such as Stata, R, SPSS, or Python;
  • Clearly articulate a research idea aligned with one of the thematic tracks described above;
  • Be committed to producing work that directly informs public policy and is accessible to non-academic audiences.

Desirable skills and experience:

  • Prior exposure to policy-engaged research or government data;
  • Familiarity with Sierra Leone’s economic landscape, household surveys, administrative data, or sector-specific policy debates;
  • Strong academic writing and communication skills.

Interested candidates must submit:

  1. A Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages);
  2. A Cover Letter (max 1,000 words) describing:
    • Your motivation for applying;
    • Relevant research experience;
    • A short outline of the proposed research idea under one of the tracks;
  3. One academic reference (can be sent separately by the referee);

  4. A writing sample (optional, e.g., thesis chapter or policy paper).

     

Please submit all application materials via email, using the subject line: “Application – IGC SL Local Fellowship 2025 – [Track Name]”

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview with the IGC team and relevant government counterparts.

Deadline for Applications:

Friday 29th of August, 2025

Submit your application

For further inquiries, contact: [email protected]

 

About IGC Sierra Leone

The International Growth Centre (IGC) is a global policy research organisation based at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the University of Oxford, supporting sustainable growth in developing countries through demand-led research. IGC Sierra Leone works closely with government ministries and agencies on core themes including public finance, firm productivity, infrastructure, and state effectiveness. The Local Researcher Fellowship is part of IGC’s long-term commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s research-to-policy ecosystem.