IGC Sierra Leone Researcher Bursary 2025 – Closing Date: 29 August 2025

Hey future changemakers and research enthusiasts! Ready to make a real impact with your studies? While this isn’t your typical study bursary, the International Growth Centre (IGC) Sierra Leone Early-Career Researcher Fellowship for 2025 is an absolutely incredible opportunity for bright minds looking to dive deep into policy-relevant research. If you’re passionate about driving change in Africa and meet the specific criteria, this fellowship offers a chance to contribute significantly to Sierra Leone’s development – and we at Bursaries Room want to make sure you know about it! Let’s get into the details of what this unique research opportunity offers.

The International Growth Centre (IGC) is all about supporting applied research and working closely with governments to make real-world impact. This fellowship, part of their Herbert P. M’cleod Local Researchers Programme (HPMLRP), is designed to nurture Sierra Leone’s next generation of economists and policymakers. Think of it as a super-charged opportunity to get hands-on experience, collaborate with government bodies, and produce research that directly shapes national priorities and drives sustainable development.

Who Can Apply?

Alright, so who’s eligible for this amazing opportunity? Listen up, because there are some specific requirements:

You must be a Sierra Leonean national or resident.
You should currently be enrolled in a postgraduate programme (PhD or Master’s) or serving as a junior researcher or faculty at a Sierra Leonean institution.
You need to demonstrate strong quantitative and analytical skills, including proficiency in tools like Stata, R, SPSS, or Python.
You must clearly articulate a research idea aligned with one of the IGC’s thematic tracks (which you can find more about on their official page!).
You must be committed to producing work that directly informs public policy and is accessible to non-academic audiences.

Bonus points if you have:

Prior exposure to policy-engaged research or government data.
Familiarity with Sierra Leone’s economic landscape, household surveys, administrative data, or sector-specific policy debates.
Strong academic writing and communication skills.

What Does It Cover?

Now for the exciting part – what support do you get? This fellowship is structured to give you maximum support for your research journey:

Duration: Get ready for 3 intensive months, from September to December 2025.
Location: You’ll be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with some flexibility for hybrid work.
Support package: This is where it gets really good! You’ll receive:

A generous research grant of £5,000 to help cover fieldwork, data collection, and living costs.
Expert mentorship from IGC-affiliated academics and the IGC Sierra Leone country team.
Fantastic policy engagement opportunities with relevant government ministries and key stakeholders.

Expected outputs: By the end, you’ll produce a concise policy brief, a comprehensive working paper, and deliver a presentation to relevant policymakers. How cool is that?!

How to Apply?

Feeling like this is your chance to shine? Here’s your step-by-step guide on how to apply:

Curriculum Vitae (CV): Prepare a concise CV, maximum 3 pages.
Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter (max 1,000 words) describing your motivation for applying, your relevant research experience, and a short outline of your proposed research idea under one of the IGC tracks.
Academic Reference: Arrange for one academic reference to be sent (this can be submitted separately by your referee).
Writing Sample (Optional): If you have one, include a writing sample, like a thesis chapter or a policy paper.

Ready to hit send? Please submit all your application materials via email. Make sure your subject line is perfectly formatted: “Application – IGC SL Local Fellowship 2025 – [Your Chosen Track Name]”

If you’re shortlisted, get ready for an interview with the IGC team and relevant government counterparts.

For even more detailed information, make sure to:

Visit the Official Webpage of the IGC Sierra Leone Early-Career Local Researcher Fellowship

If this sounds like the perfect next step in your research career, especially if you’re a Sierra Leonean national or resident ready to make an impact, don’t hesitate – get your application ready NOW! This is an incredible chance to contribute to vital policy work with significant support. And remember, Bursaries Room is always here to help you find more amazing opportunities like this one!