The PAIE (Project AI Evidence) Scholars Program is a research training and funding opportunity from the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). The programme supports researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) across Africa and Asia who want to evaluate how artificial intelligence can address social and economic challenges and reduce poverty.
Selected scholars receive advanced training in randomised evaluations and AI-enabled interventions, along with opportunities for research mentorship and competitive funding to develop and test AI-for-social-good projects.
Opportunity Overview
Programme: PAIE Scholars Program 2026
Organiser: The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
Focus Area: Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact, Poverty Reduction, Policy Research, and Impact Evaluation
Eligible Regions: Low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia
Application Opens: 17 September 2026
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026 (12 PM ET)
Training Period: Approximately November 2026 – January 2027
Funding Available: Yes
Programme Format: Online training, assessment, mentorship, and competitive research funding pathway
What the Programme Offers
The PAIE Scholars Program is structured as a multi-stage pathway that helps researchers strengthen early-stage ideas and potentially progress toward funded pilot studies.
Selected scholars receive:
- Training in randomised evaluation methods
- Training on evaluating AI-enabled interventions
- Live online workshops and learning sessions
- Access to J-PAL learning resources
- Support to refine a research concept note
- Research mentorship opportunities
- Competitive access to proposal-development funding and pilot funding opportunities
Funding and Financial Support
US$1,000 Scholar Award
Scholars who successfully complete the required training, pass the programme assessment, and submit a revised concept note receive a US$1,000 award.
Proposal Development and Travel Grant
A selected group of scholars may receive up to US$10,000 in proposal-development and travel support to strengthen their research ideas, identify implementing partners, conduct background work, and prepare a full pilot proposal.
Pilot Funding
Researchers who successfully progress through the programme may be invited to submit a pilot proposal. Successful proposals may receive up to US$75,000 in pilot funding. Pilot funding is awarded through a separate competitive review process and is not guaranteed.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is intended for resident scholars based in eligible low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia.
Applicants must:
- Have completed a PhD in Economics or another relevant empirical discipline
- Have advanced quantitative training such as statistics, econometrics, causal inference, experimental methods, or machine learning
- Demonstrate an interest in evaluating AI-enabled interventions
- Have sufficient English proficiency to complete programme requirements
- Be available to participate in all required programme activities
For this programme, a resident scholar is generally defined as a researcher whose primary professional affiliation is with a university in an eligible country.
Do Applicants Need a Fully Developed Research Project?
No.
J-PAL specifically states that applicants do not need:
- A fully developed research project
- An implementing partner
- A prior relationship with a J-PAL-affiliated researcher
Applicants must submit a working concept note that they can refine during the programme.
Required Application Documents
Applicants will be asked to submit:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- One to three examples of previous research
- Statements describing their research experience and interests
- A working concept note describing the proposed research idea and how it could eventually lead to a randomised evaluation
Training Components
The programme includes:
- Selected modules from J-PAL’s randomised evaluation training curriculum
- The AI Evidence Playbook
- The AI Evaluation Playbook
- Live online workshops
- A proctored programme assessment
- Concept note development support from the PAIE team
Why This Opportunity Matters
Many AI programmes focus on building technology products. The PAIE Scholars Program focuses on generating rigorous evidence about whether AI interventions actually improve social and economic outcomes.
For researchers interested in AI policy, development economics, public policy, education, health, agriculture, financial inclusion, or poverty reduction, the programme provides a pathway to build evaluation skills, receive mentorship, and compete for research funding.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Open to researchers in eligible countries across Africa and Asia
- Requires a completed PhD and advanced quantitative training
- Includes specialised AI evaluation training
- US$1,000 award available upon successful completion of the first phase
- Up to US$10,000 available for proposal development and travel support
- Up to US$75,000 available for selected pilot studies
- No implementing partner required at the initial application stage
- Applications close on 16 October 2026
- Organised by J-PAL through Project AI Evidence (PAIE)
How to Apply
Interested researchers should complete the online application through the official PAIE Scholars Program page and submit all required supporting documents before the application deadline. AI opportunities in Nigeria.
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