Highly motivated and academically outstanding individuals are sought who aspire to pursue graduate studies at leading institutions worldwide and ultimately obtain a PhD in Economics or related social science disciplines.
The program is open to students from all African countries, with strong encouragement extended to top-performing final-year students and recent graduates holding a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics or closely related fields.
Program Structure
Phase One: Webinar Series
Selected applicants will participate in a free, biweekly webinar series featuring experienced guest speakers. These sessions cover key topics related to:
- Graduate school admissions
- Research careers in academia
- Policy-oriented career pathways
Completion of the webinar series is mandatory for eligibility to apply to the mentoring program.
Phase Two: Mentoring Program
Upon successful completion of the webinar series, participants may apply to the mentoring phase. Shortlisted candidates will:
- Participate in an intensive GRE bootcamp
- Sit for the GRE examination
Applicants who achieve a competitive GRE score will be formally admitted to the mentoring stage and paired with an experienced mentor. Mentors provide one-on-one guidance throughout the graduate school application process, including school selection, application strategy, and academic preparation.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, candidates must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Be in their final year or have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics or a closely related discipline
- Intend to pursue a PhD in Economics or a related field, or a Master’s degree in Economics with the clear intention of progressing to a PhD
- Be willing to study abroad
- Be able to commit 3–5 hours per week to the program from January onward to actively participate in the GAIN Webinar Series
Additional eligibility requirements for the mentoring phase will be communicated during the webinar sessions.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: February 11
- Online Information Session: January 21, 6:00–8:00 PM CET
(8:00–10:00 PM EAT | 6:00–8:00 PM WAT) - First Official GAIN Webinar: January 28
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before this date. Those who apply afterward will be responsible for reviewing missed materials independently.
GAIN Information Session
On January 21, 2026, an online information session will be hosted and will be open to all interested participants. The session will:
- Introduce the GAIN program and curriculum
- Provide insights into the application process
- Feature successful GAIN alumni, who will share their experiences and answer questions
A recording of last year’s information session is available under the Resources section. The recording of the 2026 session will be uploaded by the end of January.
Apply here
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