Overview

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSMFP) is an initiative of the World Bank Group aimed at nurturing young researchers from developing countries. It provides them with a platform to advance their skills in research, particularly in areas related to international development, economics, and social sciences. Named after Robert S. McNamara, a former World Bank President, the program honors his legacy of global development and academic excellence.

Who Can Apply?

• Open to nationals of World Bank Group (WBG) member countries, with a preference for individuals from developing nations.
• Applicants must have completed an MA-level degree or be pursuing a PhD in Economics or a related field.
• Applicants should be no older than 35 years as of June 30th in the year the fellowship begins.
• Applicants must be willing to relocate to Washington, D.C. for the full duration of the fellowship.

Application Procedure

The RSMFP application must be completed online by the specified Application Deadline and should include the following documents:

• Resume
• Statement of Research Interests: This should detail the applicant's research interests and highlight the research programs of interest within the Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC).
• Contact Details: For submitting a letter of recommendation.
• Writing Sample (optional)
• Code Sample (optional)

All documents must be uploaded online through the application portal. Documents submitted by email, post, or other means will not be considered.

What Financial Support is Available?

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSMFP) offers recipients:

• Stipend: A total of $42,750 net for the duration of the 8-month fellowship, disbursed in monthly installments.
• Visa Support: Since fellows are hosted at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., the World Bank's HR department assists selected candidates with visa applications by providing necessary invitation letters.

Note: The fellowship does not cover costs for visa applications, travel expenses, or any associated costs for bringing or supporting family members during the fellowship.

Other Details

Key Program Features of the Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program:

1. Professional Experience: Fellows will collaborate with World Bank DEC researchers, contributing to ongoing projects under their direct supervision. They will receive training in advanced research methodologies and technologies while gaining exposure to World Bank operations. Depending on the project, fellows may have the chance to co-author published work, participate in field missions, and engage directly with World Bank clients.

2. Capacity Building: At the start of the fellowship, fellows will undergo a week-long technical onboarding, including training in reproducible research practices. Throughout the program, they will participate in continued education sessions to further develop their skills. Working closely with DEC economists, fellows will enhance their ability to address key development policy issues.

3. Research Dissemination: Fellows are encouraged to write a blog post based on their research conducted during the fellowship. This offers a platform to share their insights and contribute to ongoing development policy discussions. Each year, the top 4 blogs are published on the DEC’s Let’s Talk Development blog.