J-PAL MENA welcomes second cohort of MENA scholars fellowship programme

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Middle East and North Africa (J-PAL MENA) at the American University in Cairo announced today the induction of the second cohort of the MENA scholars fellowship, following the successful launch of the first cohort of the programme in 2022.

Supported by Community Jameel and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the fellowship programme is a strategic initiative to strengthen regional research capacity for poverty reduction.

By fostering a community of researchers skilled in designing and conducting randomised evaluations, the programme enhances our understanding of local contexts and extends J-PAL's presence across the region, beyond Egypt.

The second round of recruitment for the programme received an overwhelming response from a highly competitive pool of applicants. Following a rigorous selection process, the following six outstanding researchers were selected as fellows:

• Aya Aboul Hosn (Lebanon), doctoral candidate, American University in Washington, DC
• Karine Moukaddem (Lebanon), doctoral candidate, Aix-Marseille School of Economics
• Merna Ihab (Egypt), doctoral candidate, Alexandria University
• Mona Elsayed (Egypt), doctoral candidate, Cairo University
• Zakaria Elouaourti (Morocco), PhD, Université Cadi Ayyad
• Zeinab El Beltagy (Egypt), PhD, Cairo University

The programme provides fellows with a two-year stipend to support their time participating in fellowship programme activities. These activities include working on a randomised evaluation, with mentorship and guidance from J-PAL affiliated professors; becoming a member of the worldwide network of fellows from other J-PAL fellowships; enrolling in MIT’s MicroMasters programme in data, economics and development policy; attending training sessions and workshops from J-PAL MENA staff; and presenting in J-PAL MENA policy events in the region.

Driving regional impact through research excellence: Insights from a leadership perspective

Ahmed Elsayed, executive director at J-PAL MENA, said: “We are delighted to introduce the second cohort of the MENA scholars fellowship programme at J-PAL MENA, featuring six exceptional fellows who exemplify dedication to academic excellence and impactful research. By advancing our understanding of local contexts, the programme strengthens J-PAL’s presence across the MENA region beyond Egypt. This programme is designed to cultivate a network of regional researchers equipped with the technical expertise to conduct rigorous randomised evaluations of poverty reduction programmes. We look forward to supporting these fellows as they embark on their journey and anticipate the significant contributions they will make in the MENA region and beyond.”

Uzma Sulaiman, associate director of Community Jameel, said: “We are pleased to welcome the MENA scholars fellowship’s second cohort of outstanding researchers. The fellows’ diverse backgrounds will support them as they learn to rigorously evaluate and advise on policies that have a lasting impact in governments’ efforts to alleviate poverty. Evidence and equity in science are central to our mission at Community Jameel and we are proud to support a second cohort of scholars who will utilise these methods in supporting their respective countries.”

Laila Hosny, executive director of the Sawiris Foundation, said: “The MENA scholars fellowship programme at J-PAL MENA provides six exceptional researchers with the opportunity to refine their insights and skills, aimed at improving the lives of Egypt’s most vulnerable communities. We believe knowledge is power and the strongest catalyst for change as we strive to empower agents of change in Egyptian development and fostering an evidence-based ecosystem geared towards multidimensional poverty reduction. We are proud to support and be a part of the journey of top-tier Egyptian researchers, equipping them with essential scientific practices that will ultimately empower our entire development community in effective policymaking.”