EERC 2026 Cohort 4 Fellowship for Mid–Senior Level Nigerian Researchers

The Environmental and Economic Resource Centre (EERC) has officially opened applications for its 2026 Cohort 4 Fellowship, a prestigious opportunity designed for mid to senior‑level researchers across Nigerian universities and research institutions. This fellowship offers a rare chance to take a sabbatical, conduct independent research, collaborate with global experts, and contribute to impactful environmental and agricultural development programs across Africa. The application deadline is June 30, 2026.

About EERC

The Environmental and Economic Resource Centre (EERC) is a leading non‑profit scientific research institution dedicated to advancing sustainable development across Africa. Working with a broad network of local and international partners, EERC focuses on generating evidence‑based solutions that strengthen:

• Inclusive agriculture
• Sustainable livelihoods
• Natural resource conservation
• Environmental management

EERC’s work spans four major programs:

1. Agriculture and Environmental Management (AEM)
2. Natural Resource Conservation (NRC)
3. Livelihood and Economic Development (LED)
4. Human Resource and Capacity Building (HRCB)

These programs cover a wide range of research areas, including climate‑smart agriculture, climate change, food systems, health and nutrition, migration, renewable energy, carbon markets, land use change, rural livelihoods, and gender and social inclusion.

About the 2026 Cohort 4 Fellowship

The 2026 Cohort 4 Fellowship targets mid to senior‑level researchers who wish to embark on a 9–18‑month sabbatical at EERC headquarters. This immersive program allows fellows to:

• Conduct independent research aligned with EERC’s thematic priorities
• Contribute to the design and implementation of EERC programs
• Support ongoing research activities
• Supervise staff, interns, and early‑career scientists
• Lead or co‑develop research grant proposals
• Collaborate with EERC Malawi office on 2026–2027 program objectives

Eligible Research Fields

Applicants must have expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• Climate change, climate‑smart agriculture, climatology, remote sensing, or land‑use systems
• Agricultural/environmental economics, development economics, or macroeconomic modeling
• Rural sociology, citizen science, digital agriculture, gender and social inclusion

Fellows with innovative research ideas may receive support to implement their projects during the fellowship period.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will gain access to a rich ecosystem of global research collaboration. EERC partners include:

• University College London
• World Disaster Centre
• Stockholm Environment Institute
• Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research

Personal Benefits Include:

• Monthly allowance (in addition to salary from home institution)
• Free accommodation at the EERC Guest House, equipped with:
  • 24‑hour power supply
  • Internet access
  • Gym and sports facilities
• Training and travel opportunities
• Joint publications with leading researchers in agriculture, climate change, and land‑use systems
• Opportunities to strengthen research networks between EERC and home institutions

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a PhD in one of the eligible fields
• Demonstrate strong research leadership experience
• Have experience supervising early‑career scientists
• Maintain an active affiliation with a Nigerian research institution or university
• Show proficiency in statistical/econometric tools such as SAS, R, and STATA
• Demonstrate the ability to write proposals covering at least two of the eligible fields
• Researchers from Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) institutions are strongly encouraged to apply

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following:

1. Two reference letters on institutional letterhead:
   • One from the Head of Department
   • One from the Head/Representative of the institution
2. Motivation letter
3. Concept note (max 5 pages) including:
   • Background
   • Objective
   • Methodology
   • Analytical approach
   • Budget summary
   • Timeline
   • Expected results
   • References (as appendix)
4. Support letters from department and institutional heads
5. Curriculum Vitae (CV) with evidence of lead‑author publications in high‑impact journals
6. Academic qualifications
7. Institutional ID card

Applications missing any of these documents will not be reviewed.

Additional notes:

• Female researchers are strongly encouraged to apply
• Fellows should be prepared to begin by late July or early August 2026
• Inquiries will be accepted only until June 15, 2026

Selection Process

The selection process includes:

1. Eligibility screening
2. Rigorous review of research profile, publications, and proposal quality
3. Interviews for shortlisted candidates
4. Final selection based on capacity to deliver proposed research and contribute to EERC programs

Successful applicants will be notified by July 20, 2026 and must present a release letter from their institution.