The Research for Impact Fellowship (RFI), hosted by J-PAL/CLEAR South Asia, is designed to enhance the capacity of Indian PhD scholars in conducting impact evaluations with the goal of cultivating a network of academics who generate rigorous, policy-relevant evidence in India. 

This fellowship will equip young development researchers with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to design and implement randomized evaluations for assessing the effectiveness of social policies and programs.

The deadline for submitting applications is January 22, 2023.

Apply here>>

About the Fellowship

Stage 1: January – April 2023 (Part time)

RFI fellows will complete the online MITx MicroMasters course Designing and Running Randomized Evaluations. In this course, they will learn the theory behind designing and implementing randomized evaluations in the field to measure the impact of social programs. Scholarships will be awarded to Fellows to complete this certificate program. 

Candidates must pass a proctored exam to continue to Stage 2 of the Fellowship.

Stage 2: May – November 2023 (Full time)

Fellows will support an ongoing J-PAL evaluation in India for at least two months. This will provide practical training in establishing and implementing an evaluation program in the field. 

Candidates will also attend courses on primary data collection led by CLEAR/J-PAL staff. They will study a broad range of topics such as choosing appropriate indicators, designing survey instruments, piloting a survey, and developing field protocols. 

Throughout this stage, fellows will be mentored by senior staff at CLEAR/J-PAL South Asia.

Frequently asked questions >> 

Who can apply?

This fellowship is meant for aspiring development researchers who are:

• Currently pursuing a PhD in Economics, Public Policy, Public Health, or a related empirical discipline. 
• Registered in a university in India.

How to Apply

Complete and submit the application form by 11:59 PM IST on January 22, 2023.

For questions regarding: 

• The Fellowship or application, contact rfi@povertyactionlab.org. 
• The MITx MicroMasters course, contact micromasters-support@mit.edu with the subject line 'Research for Impact Fellowship' and CC rfi@povertyactionlab.org.

Frequently asked questions >>

RFI Alumni say:

What's great about the Research for Impact Fellowship is that it is designed to also let you engage with your PhD work in parallel. Overall, the Fellowship is a great opportunity for Indian doctoral candidates to learn about randomized evaluations and methodical robustness of primary data collection, topics which are still novel in the Indian context.

Ambika Chopra (Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai)

The different stages of the Research for Impact Fellowship were designed really well and were a great learning experience for me. The knowledge I've gained through the Fellowship is definitely going to help in my career as an academic. Thank you for the opportunity! 

Balu Pawde (Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai)