Kick off your academic journey anywhere in the world! Exciting news: Applications for the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program are now open. In this article, we will provide detailed information about this scholarship, including its benefits and the step-by-step application process.
The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program for 2025-2026 is a fully funded scholarship designed for international students pursuing PhD studies. This program offers recipients up to $42,750 net per fellow for an 8-month fellowship.
The World Bank’s Robert S. McNamara Fellowship Program provides fellowships to PhD candidates from developing countries, enabling them to pursue innovative, development-related PhD studies under the guidance of a study consultant at a partner organization abroad during a residency that lasts between 6 to 10 months.
Key Program Features:
- Professional Experience: Fellows will work on World Bank projects under the direct supervision of researchers from the World Bank DEC and will receive training in advanced research practices and technologies, while actively engaging with World Bank operations. Depending on the project nature, fellows may contribute to DEC’s publications, co-author with DEC researchers, participate in field missions, and interact directly with clients.
- Capacity Building: At the program’s start, fellows will undergo a one-week technical onboarding, which includes training in reproducible research practices. Throughout the fellowship, they will also take part in ongoing education and training sessions to further enhance their skills. Collaborating with DEC economists will improve their ability to identify, analyze, and write about significant development policy issues.
- Research Dissemination: Fellows will have the opportunity to write a blog about their research conducted during the fellowship in collaboration with DEC researchers. This platform allows them to highlight their research and contributions to development policy discussions. Each year, the top four blogs will be featured on DEC’s Let’s Talk Development blog.
Scholarship Summary:
- Level of Study: PhD
- Institution: World Bank
- Location: Any country
- Courses Offered: Applicants can choose whether they want to be associated with the Development Research or the Impact Evaluation department within the World Bank’s Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC).
- Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Scholarship Coverage:
The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program offers:
- A total of $42,750 net per fellow for an 8-month fellowship (paid in monthly installments)
- Support for visa applications through the World Bank’s HR department, which will provide invitation letters for those selected, as they will be hosted in Washington D.C.
- Note: The fellowship does not cover costs associated with visa applications, travel expenses, or any other financial obligations for bringing or supporting family members of the fellows.
Eligibility Criteria for the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program
To qualify for the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Required Languages: Proficiency in English
- Eligible Countries: Nationals from World Bank Group (WBG) member countries, with a preference for applicants from developing nations
- Holders of a master’s degree or current PhD candidates in Economics or a related discipline
- Must be no older than 35 years of age by June 30th of the year the fellowship commences
- Willingness to relocate to Washington, D.C. for the fellowship duration
How to Apply for the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program?
For detailed information, please visit the official website linked at the end. Here are important instructions for applying for this scholarship:
The RSMFP application must be submitted online by the application deadline and should include:
- A resume
- A statement of research interests: This statement should outline your research interests and specify the research programs you are interested in within DEC.
- Contact information for a letter of recommendation
- A writing sample (optional)
- A code sample (optional)
All required documents must be submitted online. Documents sent via email, postal mail, or any method other than the online application form will not be considered.
Website
To learn more about the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program, please visit the official website: