Governments collect huge amounts of data on payroll, procurement, staff surveys, budgets and service delivery, but much of it is never used to make decisions. The World Bank’s Government Analytics Fellowship 2027 aims to change that. It trains public servants to turn their own administrative data into practical insights that improve how government works. Applications close on 16 November 2026.
Fellowship at a Glance
- Organiser: The World Bank, through its Development Economics Vice-Presidency, Development Impact Group, Institutions Global Department and Institute for Economic Development, with academic partners including experts from the University of Oxford
- Who it’s for: Mid-level managers and senior analysts in central government organisations
- Format: Online, in-person (Washington, D.C.) or regional hub
- In-person dates: About two weeks in March 2027 (exact dates to be confirmed)
- Cost: Travel, hotel and daily expenses are covered for in-person fellows from ODA-eligible countries
- Deadline: 16 November 2026
Three Ways to Take Part
1. Online Track
A self-paced virtual course you can complete alongside your job, from anywhere. It is the most flexible option and suits officials who can’t travel.
2. Immersive In-Person Track
A six-month programme for a small, selective cohort. Fellows first complete the virtual course and develop a government analytics project in their own institution. They then present it during roughly two weeks of in-person training in Washington, D.C. in March 2027.
3. Regional Hub Track
Fellowships delivered closer to home through regional hubs. The World Bank will share details of locations and format later.
Benefits
- Practical skills: Learn how to analyse payroll, HR, procurement, budget and survey data to diagnose and fix problems in public administration.
- A real project: Every fellow designs and carries out an analytics project inside their own organisation, so the learning leads directly to change at work.
- Expert mentoring: Selected fellows are paired with a World Bank expert who guides their project.
- Training in Washington, D.C.: In-person fellows spend about two weeks at the World Bank. Travel, accommodation and subsistence are covered for applicants from ODA-eligible countries.
- A global network: Join public servants from around the world who use data to improve government.
Eligibility
You can apply if you:
- Work for a central government organisation, such as a ministry, department or government agency
- Hold a mid-level management or senior analyst role, or an equivalent position, with the authority and backing to lead a project
- Have taken university-level courses in statistics or other quantitative methods
- Are proficient in English
- Have your organisation’s endorsement, because you must be nominated by your employer
Note: Each organisation can have no more than two fellows, so consider coordinating with colleagues before you apply.
Required Documents
Prepare these in English and save each one as a PDF:
- CV of no more than 3 pages
- Project summary of about 150 words, describing the government analytics project you would like to develop
- Endorsement letter from your organisation confirming your position and its support for your project
Tips for a Winning Application
- Pick a real, solvable problem. For example: Why do procurement processes take so long? Where are payroll irregularities hiding? Which units have the highest staff turnover?
- Name your data. Say which data sets your organisation already holds and that you can realistically access.
- Show the decision it will inform. Strong proposals explain who will use the findings and what could change as a result.
- Get your endorsement letter early. Official letters often need several signatures, so don’t leave it until the last week.
How to Apply
- Prepare your CV, 150-word project summary and endorsement letter as PDFs.
- Fill in the World Bank’s online application form and upload your documents.
- Submit before 16 November 2026.
Apply for the Government Analytics Fellowship 2027
Full details are on the official World Bank fellowship page. Questions can be sent to [email protected].
