The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, in collaboration with the Platform for African–European Partnership on Agricultural Research for Development (PANAP), is inviting early-career researchers to apply for the PANAP Mentorship Programme. This one-year initiative is designed to support promising researchers in agricultural and development economics from conceptualization to the production of a publishable research paper. The mentorship aims to strengthen analytical skills and research capacity through hands-on guidance from senior researchers, methodological support, and access to exclusive datasets and modeling tools. Programme Overview The mentorship programme provides selected researchers with: One-year mentorship from senior JRC or partner institution researchers to jointly develop a co-authored publication. Access to cleaned, high-quality datasets in the areas of agriculture, livelihoods, and rural development across West and Central Africa. Training and access to JRC’s in-house farm-level model FSSIM-Dev, based on positive mathematical programming (PMP), for researchers pursuing modeling analyses. Full sponsorship to attend the 8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE) in Nairobi, Kenya, scheduled for 22–25 September 2026 (conditional on research progress). Support for publication in a high-impact agricultural economics journal or a special issue thereof. Research Themes Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals related to sustainable agriculture and rural development, focusing on community, household, or farm-level dynamics. Proposed topics may include, but are not limited to: 1. Yields, Productivity, and Agroecological Farming Practices Analyses exploring productivity variations across production systems and agroecological zones, adoption patterns of sustainable practices, and modeling the impacts of agroecological or climate-resilient techniques. 2. Labor and Gender in Food Systems Studies examining labor allocation, gender disparities, and inclusivity in agricultural labor markets and food production systems. 3. Market Access and Institutional Support Research on the role of market linkages, cooperatives, contract farming, and agricultural extension services in improving smallholder outcomes. 4. Crop and Income Diversification Assessment of income-generating strategies, diversification patterns, and household resilience among farming communities. 5. Livelihoods and Food Security Evaluation of poverty dynamics, asset ownership, living standards, and food insecurity at the household and community levels. Available Datasets Selected participants will gain access to one or more of the following high-quality datasets: Cocoa Production in Cameroon A cross-sectional dataset of over 4,000 cocoa-farming households, jointly collected by the JRC and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The data include detailed plot-level information (around 6,000 cocoa plots and 2,800 other crop plots), household demographics, production practices, and economic activities. Enquête Harmonisée sur les Conditions de Vie des Ménages (EHCVM) A nationally representative household panel survey covering Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. With approximately 60,000 households per wave, the dataset contains rich agricultural, socioeconomic, and livestock information harmonized by the JRC for consistency and reliability. Researchers may use one or both datasets, exploiting cross-sectional or panel dimensions, and may focus on one or several countries. Proposal Requirements Applicants must submit a concise research proposal (maximum one page) that includes: One or two clear research questions aligned with the thematic areas above. A brief contextualization of the research problem in the target country or region. A description of the proposed methodology, emphasizing econometric analysis, modeling, or statistical approaches. References (not included in the one-page limit). Preferred approaches include econometric analysis of cross-sectional or panel data and farm-level modeling, particularly using the FSSIM-Dev model. However, other innovative analytical methods will also be considered. Eligibility Criteria To qualify, applicants must: Hold at least a master’s degree in a relevant field such as economics, statistics, agricultural science, or environmental studies. Be an African national and a registered PANAP member. Be actively engaged in applied, policy-relevant econometric analysis or microeconomic modeling related to African agri-food systems. For administrative reasons, only PANAP members are eligible to receive mentorship and support. Selection Process and Timeline A maximum of eight proposals will be selected based on: The scientific quality and policy relevance of the research. The alignment with programme themes. The feasibility of implementation within the one-year timeframe. Submission Details Deadline: 15 December 2025 Submission Format: PDF (including proposal and CV) Submission Portal: EU Survey platform Contact Email: JRC-PANAP@ec.europa.eu Selected candidates will be notified early in 2026 and will begin their mentorship shortly thereafter. Programme Impact The PANAP Mentorship Programme seeks to nurture the next generation of African scholars and strengthen local research capacity in agricultural economics and rural development. By combining mentorship, methodological training, and access to rich datasets, the programme supports participants in producing rigorous, policy-relevant research that can guide evidence-based decision-making for sustainable agriculture across Africa. Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101136771), this initiative continues to foster cross-continental collaboration and scientific excellence in agricultural research. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY 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 mentorship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official 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.