World Bank Government Analytics Fellowship 2027 — Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Host | World Bank Group (Development Economics Vice-Presidency) with University College London (UCL) |
| Who It’s For | Government officials in central government organizations (not students) |
| Fellowship Tracks | In-person (virtual course plus two weeks in Washington, D.C.) and a virtual track |
| In-Person Training | About two weeks in Washington, D.C., in March 2027 |
| Fellows Selected | About 40 (per the World Bank’s call) |
| Funding Type | Partially funded: travel, hotel and subsistence covered for officials from ODA-eligible countries |
| Application Fee | None |
| Deadline | 16 November 2026 |
| Host Country | USA |
Three Corrections to Your Source: First, this isn’t for “international students.” It’s for serving government officials, and your organization must support you. Second, it’s for central government organizations (including agencies), not local administrations. Third, “fully funded” overstates it. The World Bank covers travel, hotel and subsistence only for the in-person Washington course and only for officials from ODA-eligible countries. There’s no salary or stipend, and the virtual track has no travel to cover.
Quick Answer: What Does the Fellowship Cover?
If you’re selected for the in-person track and you come from an Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible country, the World Bank covers your travel, hotel and daily subsistence for the two-week Government Analytics course and conference in Washington, D.C. in March 2027. Every fellow also gets mentoring from a World Bank expert on their project. There’s no application fee. Officials from other countries can apply, but the listings only promise funding for ODA-eligible applicants, so confirm what applies to you.
What Is the Government Analytics Fellowship?
Governments hold huge amounts of administrative data, such as payroll, procurement and service-delivery records, but many struggle to turn it into better decisions. The fellowship is built on the World Bank’s Government Analytics Handbook and trains public servants to use that data to improve how their own institutions run.
Fellows complete a virtual Government Analytics course, develop a project that tackles a real problem in their organization, and, on the in-person track, present and discuss it in Washington, D.C. The program is run by the World Bank’s Development Economics Vice-Presidency with University College London.
Program Structure
- Virtual course: all fellows complete the Government Analytics Fellowship course online.
- Project: you design and deliver a government analytics project that fits your institution’s goals. Projects should focus on analyzing government administration (for example, civil service performance, procurement or service delivery) rather than general policy analysis.
- Mentoring: guidance from World Bank and UCL specialists throughout.
- In-person component (in-person track only): about two weeks in Washington, D.C. in March 2027, including the Government Analytics course and the Public Institutions Conference. You must finish the virtual course and submit your project before attending.
Your source describes a six-month fellowship. The official materials I found don’t state the total length, so check the call before publishing that figure.
Exactly What Will You Receive? (Complete Benefits)
- Training and mentoring: expert guidance on your project from the World Bank.
- Travel, hotel and subsistence for Washington, D.C.: for the in-person course, for officials from ODA-eligible countries.
- Network: access to a community of public servants, researchers and data scientists working on evidence-based government.
- Not covered: a salary or stipend. Officials from non-ODA countries should not assume their costs are covered.
Who Can Apply? (Complete Eligibility)
- You work in a central government organization, including an agency.
- Your organization nominates you. The call allows up to two fellows per organization.
- You have the authority and institutional support to carry out a government analytics project.
- You’re proficient in English.
- You can commit to completing the virtual course and submitting your project before any in-person training.
- For the in-person track, you can travel to Washington, D.C. for about two weeks in March 2027.
- Experience in data analysis or program evaluation is welcome, but a deep technical background isn’t required.
Required Documents
- Comprehensive CV, 3 pages maximum
- A 150-word summary of the government analytics project you’d like to run in your organization
- Endorsement from your organization (check the call for the exact form)
- All documents in English, uploaded in PDF format
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Read the official call and confirm your organization qualifies as central government.
- Get your organization’s endorsement early, since it depends on other people.
- Define your project, focused on administrative analytics, and write the 150-word summary.
- Prepare a 3-page CV in English.
- Complete the online application, upload your PDFs and submit before 16 November 2026.
- Questions? Contact governmentanalytics@worldbank.org.
Application Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 16 November 2026 |
| In-person training, Washington, D.C. | About two weeks in March 2027 |
4 Tips to Win This Fellowship
- Pitch a concrete administrative problem. “Improve data use” is vague. Name a dataset and a decision it should change.
- Show institutional backing. Your organization’s support is a requirement, so make it visible.
- Keep the summary tight. 150 words forces you to choose one clear project.
- Tie it to results. Say what your institution will do differently if the project works.
2 Mistakes That Cost Applicants This Fellowship
- Applying as an individual researcher or student. The fellowship is for government officials.
- Assuming everything is paid. Funding for the in-person course applies to ODA-eligible countries.
FundedPositions opinion — Is This Worth Your Time?
Funding Rating:
3.5 out of 5 stars. The Washington trip is covered for eligible officials, but there’s no stipend and the funding doesn’t extend to every applicant.
Competition Reality:
About 40 fellows are selected from a global pool of government officials.
Best Funded Candidate Profile:
A mid-level manager or senior analyst in a ministry or central agency, from an ODA-eligible country, with a specific project and a supportive employer.
Return on Investment:
Direct training from World Bank and UCL experts, plus a project that you can put to use at work.
Honest Money Advice:
Check whether your country is ODA-eligible and whether your employer will release you for two weeks.
Funding Comparison:
Unlike a scholarship, there’s no living allowance, so your salary continues from your employer while you take part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the fellowship fully funded?
Only the in-person Washington course is covered (travel, hotel and subsistence), and only for officials from ODA-eligible countries.
Can students apply?
No. It’s for serving government officials.
Can local government officials apply?
The call refers to central government organizations, including agencies.
Does my employer need to approve?
Yes. Applicants are nominated by their organizations, with up to two fellows per organization.
What’s the deadline?
16 November 2026.
When is the in-person training?
About two weeks in March 2027 in Washington, D.C.
Apply Now — Secure Your Spot
Applications close on 16 November 2026. Secure your organization’s endorsement first, then write your project summary.
Apply on the World Bank website
Verified Official Source
