The Digital Agricultural Innovations and Services Initiative (DAISI) is invested in creating more opportunities for regionally-based scholars to develop and drive the research agenda in sub-Saharan African and South Asia forward.
We are excited to present funding opportunities for resident African and South Asian Scholars—those who have completed a PhD in economics or a related field and are based at an academic institution in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia. Access capacity building and research resources on the J-PAL website.
DAISI is excited to offer research funding to resident African and South Asian Scholars.
Resident Regional Scholars include those who have completed a PhD in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or a related empirical discipline and are currently based in an academic institution in sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia.
Resident Regional Scholars are eligible to apply for Proposal Development Grants (up to US$10,000) and Pilot Grants (up to US$75,000). Full-scale RCT funding eligibility (up to US$500,000) is extended to Regional Scholars who have successfully completed a pilot funded by DAISI. For additional funding details, please see our RFP web page.
Targeted mentorship will be provided to Regional Scholars who receive funds from DAISI.
Mentors will advise the scholar throughout the project. Mentors can include any J-PAL or Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA) affiliate or DAISI invited researcher. Regional Scholars may either identify an eligible mentor before submitting a proposal or will be connected to one after their proposal has been selected by the DAISI board.
Regional Scholars are required to submit an agreement signed by themselves and their mentor prior to the disbursement of funds. This agreement provides a framework for how the scholar and mentor will work together throughout the project. Scholars who are matched to a new mentor will be expected to have a phone call with the mentor before completing this agreement.
An existing relationship with a J-PAL or CEGA mentor is not a requirement for the selection of Regional Scholar projects. However, if you do have an existing relationship with a J-PAL/CEGA affiliated professor or invited researcher, who you would like to serve as a mentor, we will take this preference into consideration (though we cannot promise specific mentor relationships). It will be useful to understand how well the mentor and mentee know each other (i.e., past research experience and length of existing relationship), as well as the amount of time the mentee/mentor has committed or will commit to the project.
Please refer to the African Scholars Frequently Asked Questions for more information for researchers based in sub-Saharan Africa. While this FAQ is catered to African Scholars, please note that the content is also relevant to scholars based in South Asia. If any scholars have questions about the applicability of the answers to the South Asian context, please contact [email protected] and we can assist you.