The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is accepting applications for the PAIE Scholars Program 2026, a training pathway for PhD holders at universities in eligible Asian and African countries who want to evaluate AI-enabled interventions. The deadline is 16 October 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Scholars who complete the training and assessment receive US$1,000.
PAIE Scholars at a glance
| Deadline | 16 October 2026, 12:00 PM ET |
| Who can apply | PhD holders whose primary affiliation is a university in an eligible country in Asia or Africa |
| What you get | US$1,000 on completing training, plus competitive later stages |
| Format | Training from November 2026 to January 2027 |
| Cost to apply | No fee listed on the official page |
| Official link | PAIE Scholars Program page on the J-PAL site |
Who can apply?
According to the official programme page, applicants need:
- A PhD in economics or a relevant empirical discipline.
- A primary professional affiliation with a university in a low- or middle-income country in Asia or Africa, as defined by the World Bank, from the list of eligible countries J-PAL publishes.
- Advanced quantitative training and an interest in evaluating AI-enabled interventions.
- English proficiency and availability for the programme components.
What does the programme offer?
The page describes a series of competitive stages. Completing one stage does not guarantee entry to the next:
- US$1,000, conditional on successfully completing the training and assessment.
- A proposal-development and travel grant of up to US$10,000, with research mentorship for those selected.
- Pilot funding of up to US$75,000, after a separate review of the pilot proposal.
How to apply
- Open the official programme page and check that your university is in an eligible country.
- Prepare your CV, one to three research examples, and short statements on your experience and interests.
- Write a working concept note describing your research idea.
- Submit the online application before 16 October 2026, 12:00 PM ET.
J-PAL lists scholar selection for early November 2026 and training from November 2026 to January 2027, at roughly 4 to 10 hours a week. Assessment dates, revised concept notes and grant decisions are still to be confirmed on the page.
Advice from the al-khwarizmi team
- Frame the concept note around one clear question on how an AI tool changes outcomes in a context you know well. The programme is built for researchers interested in evaluating AI.
- Choose research examples that show your quantitative training, since the page lists it as a requirement.
- Plan your time now. The training asks for about 4 to 10 hours a week across three months.
- Submit a day or two early. The deadline is set in Eastern Time and may fall at a different hour locally.
FAQ
Is there a fee to apply?
The official page lists none.
Is funding guaranteed to every applicant?
No. The first award depends on completing the training, and later stages are competitive.
Can I apply without a PhD?
No. The page specifies PhD holders.
Is English required?
Yes. English proficiency is a listed requirement.
Source: J-PAL, PAIE Scholars Program.
