Funding

Salary · Fully Funded

Fellowship•Colombia

ODI Fellowship Scheme

ODI Global

Application Deadline

Closed · March 31, 2026

Reopens ~Mar 2027

Official Page

ODI Global is an independent think tank in London with more than 220 staff. It has run the Fellowship Scheme since 1963 and has placed more than 1,300 young professionals in government agencies, from Colombia to the Solomon Islands and Uganda to Uzbekistan.

Fellows are selected by ODI but employed by the institution that hosts them, on a two-year contract, and their work is managed by local civil servants. Most work as economists, planning officers or statisticians — many in ministries of finance or planning, revenue authorities, central banks and statistical offices, others in line ministries such as trade and industry, agriculture, environment, health and education.

The scheme is demand-led: participating governments submit job descriptions and ODI matches selected candidates to them. In February 2026 there were 57 Fellows in post across 21 low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Western Balkans.

Benefits & funding

  • Total compensation net of tax of roughly £32,600 in the first year and £34,600 in the second, inclusive of a housing allowance that varies with the local cost of living.
  • The host institution pays a salary equivalent to a locally recruited national with similar qualifications and experience; ODI adds a monthly supplement and the housing allowance.
  • ODI runs the administration — monthly payments, flights, medical insurance, and duty of care covering safeguarding and security.
  • The host institution provides office space and a computer, plus leave entitlement, expense allowances and medical insurance on the same terms as local staff in similar grades.
  • The host institution helps with work visas or permits, residence permits and any security clearances.
  • A briefing week at ODI in London before departure; for the 2026 intake it ran 5–9 October 2026.
  • The cost of each fellowship is shared between ODI and the local employer. Funders have included the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the UK Office for National Statistics, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Gates Foundation, UNECA, the Namibia Nature Foundation, Comic Relief, the Fleming Fund and the EdTech Hub; some governments fund their Fellows themselves.

Eligibility

  • A Master’s degree or PhD in economics, statistics or a related field. ODI names agricultural, environmental, international, health and development economics, and econometrics and statistics, among the suitable postgraduate specialisms.
  • You may apply while still studying; the award is then conditional on completing the postgraduate degree.
  • Open to candidates of all nationalities. ODI states that it supports and encourages applications from LGBTQ+ and disabled candidates.
  • English is essential and French is described as particularly advantageous.
  • You must be willing to commit to the full two years in any of the participating countries, and to be available to start in October or November, subject to visa and permit requirements.
  • No age limit and no minimum work experience are stated. ODI says applications are strengthened by a demonstrable interest in public policy, relevant work or voluntary experience and strong IT skills.
  • Placements sit in low- and middle-income countries: in February 2026 these were Colombia, Saint Lucia, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania and Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia and Somaliland, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Kosovo, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Fiji and Timor-Leste.

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  • Education required

    Master Enrolled · Master · PhD Enrolled · PhD

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Application process

  1. 1
    Watch the scheme page from late February; the round opens in early March and ODI runs introductory webinars during the month.
  2. 2
    Apply online by the closing date, following the instructions published on the ODI site. The 2026–28 round closed on 31 March 2026.
  3. 3
    Long-listed candidates are asked in early May to submit a video in support of their application.
  4. 4
    Short-listed candidates are invited to interview in late May.
  5. 5
    Interviews are held over one week in June, and offers follow.
  6. 6
    In parallel, ODI discusses roles with participating governments from March to July and agrees with host institutions from July to August which candidates go to which openings.
  7. 7
    New Fellows attend a briefing week at ODI in London in early October and start in the country in October or November.

Program timeline

  1. Early March 2026

    applications open for the 2026–28 cohort.

  2. introductory webinars.

    12 and 17 March 2026

  3. closing date for applications.

    31 March 2026

  4. long-listed candidates invited to submit a video.

    Early May 2026

  5. short-listed candidates invited to interview.

    Late May 2026

  6. interviews, followed by offers.

    8–12 June 2026

  7. ODI discusses roles with participating governments.

    March–July 2026

  8. candidates allocated to specific posts.

    July–August 2026

  9. briefing session at ODI in London.

    5–9 October 2026

  10. fellowships begin.

    October–November 2026

  11. ODI has not published dates for the next round; the two most recent rounds both opened in March and closed on 31 March.

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