Attention all aspiring African scholars! An incredible opportunity awaits you with the GAIN Program, offering a fully funded journey towards graduate studies in economics and related social sciences. But here's the catch: it's not just about the funding; it's about empowering you with the tools and guidance to excel in your academic pursuits.
The GAIN Program is designed to bridge the gap between your ambitions and top-tier graduate institutions worldwide. By providing information sharing, mentoring, and financial support, GAIN aims to strengthen your access to graduate education.
About the GAIN Program
GAIN is tailored for African students passionate about academic research, policy, and development economics. The program is structured in phases, starting with an open webinar series and progressing to an intensive mentoring stage for the selected few.
Key support areas include guidance on graduate school admissions, exposure to diverse career paths in research and policy, one-on-one mentoring with experienced economists, and even GRE preparation support for those who need it.
Who Should Apply?
The program welcomes motivated students from all African countries who are gearing up to apply for graduate programs in economics or closely related fields. We're looking for final-year undergraduates or recent graduates with a Bachelor's degree in economics or a related field, as well as final-year students or graduates with a Master's degree in economics or a similar discipline.
If you're aiming for a PhD in economics or related social sciences, or even a Master's degree in economics with a PhD in mind, GAIN wants to hear from you! We especially encourage applications from top-performing African students with a clear interest in research, policy, or academic careers.
Program Structure and Phases
Webinar Series (Mandatory First Stage)
Once accepted, participants will join a free, biweekly webinar series starting in January. These sessions feature guest speakers covering a range of topics, including graduate school application strategies, writing compelling statements of purpose, research careers in academia, policy, and international institutions, and funding opportunities and fellowships.
Participation in this series is mandatory for anyone wishing to apply to the mentoring program. Typically, you'll dedicate 3-5 hours per week from January onwards.
Mentoring Program (Second Stage)
After completing the webinar series, participants can apply for the mentoring phase, which is highly competitive. Selected candidates will participate in a GRE bootcamp, sit for the GRE examination, and be assessed based on their performance and commitment.
If you achieve a sufficient GRE score, you'll be officially admitted to the mentoring program, matched with an experienced mentor, and guided through the entire graduate school application process. Additional requirements for this phase will be shared during the webinars.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To apply, you must be in your final year of study or have completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in economics or a related field. You should intend to pursue a PhD in economics or related fields, or a Master's degree leading to a PhD, and be open to studying abroad. Most importantly, you must commit sufficient time to actively participate in the GAIN Webinar Series.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates are encouraged to submit their applications using the GAIN Program Application Form. The application deadline is February 11, 2026, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Accepted participants will be notified by the end of February at the latest. All communication will be sent via emailprotected.
For more details on eligibility and frequently asked questions, visit the GAIN website and FAQ section.
Important Dates
- 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
- Application Deadline: February 11
GAIN Information Session
On January 21, 2026, GAIN will host an online information session open to all interested applicants. This is your chance to learn more about the organization, the program structure, and hear from successful GAIN alumni. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions and get your queries answered.
Recordings of previous information sessions are available under Resources, and the recording of the 2026 session will be uploaded by the end of January.
GAIN is excited to receive applications from ambitious African students ready to take the leap towards graduate studies in economics and related fields. Visit the official website (https://gain-network.net/participants) for more details and don't forget to follow GAIN on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Telegram for more opportunities like this.
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
