2026 Cohort of Graduate Application & Mentoring Initiative (GAIN)

The GAIN program seeks highly motivated African students who aspire to pursue graduate studies at leading institutions worldwide, with the long-term goal of obtaining a PhD in Economics or related social science disciplines. The program combines a structured webinar series with a mentoring program to guide participants through graduate school preparation and applications.

Who Should Apply

• Final-year students or recent graduates holding a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics or closely related fields.
• Candidates intending to pursue a PhD in Economics (or a related field) or a Master’s degree with a clear path toward a PhD.
• Applicants must be willing to study abroad and commit 3–5 hours per week to program activities.

Program Structure

Phase One: Webinar Series

• Biweekly webinars featuring guest speakers with experience in graduate school, research careers, and policy-oriented pathways.
• Completion of this series is mandatory to be eligible for the mentoring phase.

Phase Two: Mentoring Program

• Successful Phase One participants can apply for mentoring.
• Mentoring includes:
  • GRE bootcamp preparation
  • GRE examination
  • One-on-one guidance from experienced mentors covering school selection, application strategy, and academic preparation.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: February 11, 2026
• Online Information Session: January 21, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM CET (8:00–10:00 PM EAT | 6:00–8:00 PM WAT)
• First GAIN Webinar: January 28, 2026

Information Session

• Introduces the GAIN program and curriculum
• Provides insights into the application process
• Features alumni sharing their experiences
• Recording of the 2026 session will be available by the end of January

This program is ideal for African students aiming to build strong foundations for graduate studies and a research-oriented career in Economics or social sciences.