Applications for the GAIN 2026/27 cohort are now open. The GAIN Program provides information sharing, mentoring, and financial support to high-potential African students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in economics and related social science fields at top institutions worldwide. GAIN is designed to strengthen access to graduate education by equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and guidance needed to successfully apply to competitive Master’s and PhD programs. About the GAIN Program The GAIN Program supports African students who aim to build careers in academic research, policy, and development economics. The program is structured in phases, beginning with an open webinar series and progressing to an intensive mentoring stage for selected participants. Key areas of support include: Graduate school admissions guidance Exposure to research and policy career pathways One-on-one mentoring by experienced economists GRE preparation support for selected participants Who Can Apply? The program is open to motivated students from all African countries who are preparing to apply for graduate programs in economics or closely related fields. Strong candidates typically include: Final-year undergraduate students or recent graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in economics or a related field Final-year students or graduates with a Master’s degree in economics or a related discipline Applicants aiming to pursue: A PhD in economics or related social sciences, or A Master’s degree in economics with the intention of pursuing a PhD afterward GAIN strongly encourages applications from top-performing African students with a demonstrated interest in research, policy, or academic careers. Program Structure and Phases Webinar Series (Mandatory First Stage) Accepted participants will take part in a free, biweekly webinar series beginning in January. These sessions feature guest speakers who cover: Graduate school application strategies Writing strong statements of purpose Research careers in academia, policy, and international institutions Funding opportunities and fellowships Participation in the webinar series is mandatory for anyone who wishes to apply to the mentoring program. Typical time commitment: 3–5 hours per week from January onwards Mentoring Program (Second Stage) After completing the webinar series, participants may apply for the mentoring phase. Entry into this stage is competitive. Selected candidates will: Participate in a GRE bootcamp Sit for the GRE examination Be assessed based on performance and commitment Applicants who achieve a sufficient GRE score will be: Officially admitted to the mentoring program Matched with an experienced mentor Guided through the full graduate school application process Additional requirements for the mentoring phase will be communicated during the webinars. Minimum Eligibility Requirements To apply, candidates must meet the following criteria: Be in the final year of study or have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in economics or a related field Intend to pursue a PhD in economics or related fields, or a Master’s degree leading to a PhD Be willing to study abroad Commit sufficient time to attend and actively participate in the GAIN Webinar Series How to Apply Eligible candidates are encouraged to submit their applications using the GAIN Program Application Form. Key application details: Application deadline: February 11,2026 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 webinars@gain-network.net Additional eligibility information is available on the GAIN website and in the 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 28Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before this date. Those who apply later will be responsible for catching up on missed content. Application Deadline:February 11 GAIN Information Session On January 21, 2026, GAIN will host an online information session open to all interested applicants. During the session: The GAIN team will introduce the organization and program structure Successful GAIN alumni will share their experiences Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions 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 looks forward to receiving applications from ambitious African students ready to take the next step toward graduate studies in economics and related fields. Visit Official Website Here For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram 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.