The Fellowship Scheme has been sending young postgraduate economists to work in the public sectors of developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific on two-year contracts since 1963. It has worked in over 30 countries concentrating on those most in need and has helped over 750 economists into careers in development. The Scheme is expanding and 49 awards were made in 2008. Currently, 23 developing country governments and two regional bodies are partners in the Scheme.

The demand-led nature of the Scheme means that it is an attractive way for governments to build capacity in their public sectors and improve the execution of economic policy. Its excellent reputation and unique form of technical assistance means that it is held in high regard by the development community.

The costs of the Scheme are shared between the recipient government and ODI. ODI finances the Scheme primarily under grants provided by the Department for International Development (DFID) in the UK and AusAID.

Applications to the Fellowship Scheme

The deadline to apply for the ODI Fellowship Scheme 2009-11 was December 17th, 2008. The application process will reopen again at the end of 2009.

For more information on the Scheme please see About the Scheme

2006 - 2008 Fellows

You can download the current ODI Fellowship Scheme booklet as a pdf:

Fellowship Scheme booklet 2009

You can also download speeches by ex-Fellows about their Fellowship experiences. These were originally published for the Fellowship Scheme's ruby anniversary celebrations in 2003.