The ISSER Pre-Doctoral Fellowship 2026/2027 is offered by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana in partnership with the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) of CGIAR. Hosted at the University of Ghana’s Legon campus, the one-year fellowship provides early-career researchers with practical experience in development research, mentorship from experienced academics, and opportunities to contribute to impactful research projects. The current application cycle is open to qualified candidates with a relevant master’s degree who are preparing for doctoral studies and seeking to strengthen their research and analytical skills.
Scholarship Overview
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Host Country: Ghana (Africa)
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Host Institution: Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana
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Opportunity Type: Pre-Doctoral Fellowship (for prospective Ph.D. researchers), not a Master’s or Ph.D. degree program.
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Funding Classification: Funded Fellowship (Competitive Fellowship Package). The official announcement does not state that it is fully funded.
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Application Deadline: 3 August 2026 (officially confirmed).
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Current Status: Applications Open (as per the official vacancy announcement)
Benefits
- Tuition Fees: Not specified.
- Monthly Stipend / Living Allowance: A competitive fellowship package is provided, but the amount is not disclosed.
- Travel / Airfare: Not mentioned.
- Health Insurance: Not mentioned.
- Accommodation: Not mentioned.
- Visa Support: Not mentioned.
- Research Support: Provides research experience, mentorship, data analysis opportunities, and participation in research activities.
- Professional Development: Includes opportunities for seminars, collaborations, and contribution to research papers.
Eligibility Criteria
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Nationality:
Open to eligible candidates; the official announcement does not specify any nationality restrictions. -
Academic Qualifications:
Applicants must have a Master’s degree in:-
Economics
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Agricultural Economics
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Related fields
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Age Limit:
No age limit is specified. -
Work Experience:
Previous research experience, including data collection and quantitative analysis, is preferred. Experience in impact evaluation is an advantage. -
Language Requirements:
English proficiency is required as the fellowship involves research activities, communication, and report writing. A specific language test requirement is not mentioned. -
Admission Requirements:
No separate university admission requirement is mentioned. Applicants should submit the required fellowship application documents. -
Nomination Route:
No nomination process is required. Candidates can apply directly to ISSER through the official application process. -
Additional Skills Preferred:
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Strong quantitative and analytical skills
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Research interest in agriculture, natural resources, food systems, and development studies
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Good communication and teamwork skills
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Available Fields / Programmes
The ISSER Pre-Doctoral Fellowship 2026–2027 supports research in the following confirmed areas:
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Economics
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Agricultural Economics
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Agriculture
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Natural Resources
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Food Systems
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Development Research
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Impact Evaluation
Note: The fellowship is research-focused and does not provide a fixed list of degree programmes. Applicants should have a relevant Master’s background in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or related fields.
How to Apply
Applicants must apply directly to the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana. There is no embassy, nomination agency, or separate university admission route mentioned.
Application Process:
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Prepare the required documents:
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Cover letter explaining your suitability and motivation
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Updated CV
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Academic certificates
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Contact details of two academic referees
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Submit the application:
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Send the application documents via email to ISSER.
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Email Subject:
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Use the subject line: Application – Pre-Doctoral Fellowship at ISSER
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Selection Process:
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Applications will be reviewed, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further evaluation.
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Application Route: Applicants searching for more research opportunities and financial support options can explore fully funded scholarships for international students to find additional study and fellowship opportunities worldwide.
List only documents confirmed by the official call, such as transcripts, degree certificates, CV, references, research proposal, language results and passport copy.
Important dates
- Application Deadline: 3 August 2026
- Fellowship Period: 1 September 2026 – 31 August 2027
The ISSER Pre-Doctoral Fellowship is not confirmed as a fully funded scholarship or a tuition-only scholarship. The official announcement mentions a competitive fellowship package, but specific details such as tuition coverage, stipend amount, travel support, accommodation, or insurance are not provided. Applicants should verify the exact financial benefits with ISSER.
The ISSER Pre-Doctoral Fellowship does not specify any nationality restrictions, so eligible candidates from different countries may apply.
The fellowship is available for:
Study Level: Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship
Required Academic Level: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
No. Separate university admission is not required before applying. Applicants can apply directly for the ISSER Pre-Doctoral Fellowship by submitting the required documents to the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana.
The application deadline is 3 August 2026.
The official announcement does not specify the exact submission time or timezone. Applicants should confirm the deadline timing with ISSER before submitting their application.
No application fee is mentioned in the official ISSER Pre-Doctoral Fellowship announcement. Applicants should submit their applications directly to ISSER without any confirmed application charges.
