Call for applications: Zambia Evidence Lab (ZEL) PhD Fellowship

The ZEL PhD Fellowship provides first-hand experience in how research informs policy decisions, helping engage fellows in high-quality and policy-relevant research projects. The fellowship builds relationships between local researchers, civil servants, and international PhD candidates interested in helping the Government of Zambia use AI-informed approaches to unlock the power of their existing data to solve their biggest challenges. 

The ten-month research period allows current PhD students and recent graduates to spend six weeks working at the Zambia Evidence Lab (ZEL) in Lusaka, split across two separate trips. During their research visit, fellows will benefit from improved understanding of policy challenges and the data landscape in Zambia, allowing them to generate policy-relevant research questions. 

The 2026 intake will consist of at least two Zambian fellows (this includes Zambian nationals enrolled in a PhD programme outside of Zambia). Two additional fellowships are open to all applicants. Fellows will be paired with an IGC-affiliated academic based on the topic of their research.

Supported by IGC, visiting PhD fellows will design and conduct a research project that uses existing administrative or survey data to improve policy decision making in Zambia. Projects should be related to one or more of the following themes: health, climate and energy, agriculture, public finance, or AI and data integration. 

Example research questions could include:

• Can tax administration data shed light on firm behaviour in the face of loadshedding?
• What can digitised collective bargaining agreements tell us about firm dynamics in Zambia?
• How can geospatial and administrative data be combined to target solar energy subsidies more effectively?

The fellowship runs from June 2026 to March 2027. As part of the project, Fellows will spend a total of six weeks at the Zambia Evidence Lab (ZEL), which may be structured across (up to) two separate trips, before returning to their home institution. Note that financial support covers only the in-person period in Lusaka; fellows are expected to carry out the rest of the research work at their home institution. Fellows are expected to spend one of their six weeks in Lusaka in early August 2026.

As part of the fellowship, the Lab will organise seminars for fellows to present their proposed research questions, progress, and (if applicable) findings to an audience of researchers, policymakers, and IGC Zambia country economists. Fellows may also publish their research in the form of an IGC policy brief or blog.

Successful applicants will be matched to IGC-affiliated academics who will provide mentorship and feedback over the course of the fellowship. Previous fellows and current ZEL employees will also provide advice and feedback. Matchmaking will be done based on the thematic areas of fellows' work.

Applicants must be either enrolled in a PhD programme or have defended their PhD in the 3 years preceding the fellowship. Candidates must have demonstrated ability to conduct research on developing economies. Candidates working in fields other than economics - including engineering - may also apply. Applicants should be fluent in oral and written English and possess excellent analytical skills.

Applications from suitably qualified early-career, female, and developing country researchers are particularly encouraged. The programme is addressed to researchers at any stage of their PhD or early career. Nonetheless, applicants should be able to describe at least one research project with a strong policy application that they will work on during their time at the Lab. This can include broad research questions they aim to develop during the fellowship.

The ZEL PhD Fellowship is competitive and only a limited number of fellows can be accepted. Two fellowships will be open to all candidates interested in working on Zambia. For the remaining two fellowships, only Zambian nationals will be considered.

The Zambia Evidence Lab provides financial assistance covering living expenses (accommodation and subsistence) in Lusaka during the in-person period of the fellowship, as well as travel expenses to and from Lusaka. The programme does not provide services or cover expenses related to dependents, or costs related to primary data collection.