Introduction
Launched in 1963, the ODI Fellowship Scheme has embedded more than 1,300 young professionals in government agencies, partnering with dozens of institutions, from Colombia to the Solomon Islands, Uganda to Uzbekistan. ODI Fellows support their host organisations in progressing government priorities, forging bonds of mutual trust and understanding along the way. The Fellowship Scheme is a ‘win-win’ form of cooperation.
Requirements
- The ODI Fellowship Scheme is open to candidates of all nationalities who have a master’s degree or PhD in economics, statistics or a related field.
- Suitable specialised qualifications at postgraduate level include but are not limited to agricultural economics, environmental economics, international economics, health economics, development economics, and econometrics and statistics.
- For those studying for a postgraduate degree at the time of application, the award of a fellowship is conditional upon the successful completion of the postgraduate degree.
Benefits
- Monthly Stipend: Fellows are employed and paid by the institutions that host them and their work programmes are determined and managed by local civil servants. Fellows receive a monthly supplement and housing allowance from ODI.
- Personal development: Fellows gain valuable experience as civil servants. They learn about their host country, its policy landscape, and public sector service delivery in low- and middle-income countries, as well as the challenges of receiving development assistance from bi- and multilateral donors. They gain new technical skills as they work with colleagues to fill skills gaps.
- International exchange: ODI Fellowships are also an opportunity for international exchange and lesson sharing between civil servants: some ODI Fellows bring experience of another civil service and many more go on to work in large bureaucracies, either at home or in third countries.
- Future career opportunities: The scheme enjoys an excellent reputation and Fellows benefit from the prestige associated with the scheme. ODI Fellows have gone on to build successful careers in multilateral institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations), academia, the private sector, nongovernmental organisations as well as their own country governments. Many choose to stay on in the country of their fellowship.
Application Timeline
- Early March 2026: Applications open for the ODI Fellowship Scheme
- 31 March 2026: Closing date for receipt of applications
- Early May 2026: Long-listed candidates are invited to submit a video in support of their application
- Late May 2026: Short-listed candidates invited to interview
- 8–12 June 2026: Interviews take place, after which offers are made to successful candidates
- March–July 2026: The ODI team discuss potential roles with all participating governments. Host institutions submit requests for new Fellows with job descriptions and a short-list of preferred candidates
- July–August 2026: ODI and host institutions agree on which candidates are allocated to which openings
- 5–9 October 2026: A briefing session is held at ODI in London to prepare new Fellows for their roles
- Oct/Nov 2026: Successful candidates begin their fellowships
Grant Atlas