The StEPPFoS Summer School 2026 invites applications from PhD students and early-career researchers across Africa for an intensive, five-day training programme. Scheduled from 25 to 29 May 2026 in Entebbe, Uganda, the school aims to provide participants with advanced economic modelling skills to address Africa’s agricultural and food security challenges, particularly in the context of climate change.
Organized under the framework of the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP), the programme is co-hosted by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). By combining academic excellence with policy-oriented research, the summer school delivers a comprehensive and applied learning experience.
Programme Overview
The summer school curriculum is designed to balance theoretical and practical components:
- Theoretical Lectures: Explore economic shocks and their impacts on the Food, Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) sector in Africa.
- Practical Sessions: Engage in hands-on exercises using:
- Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Models – for macroeconomic and sectoral analysis.
- Farm-Level Microeconomic Models – to evaluate household and production-level scenarios.
- Parallel Tracks: Sessions are tailored to participants’ backgrounds and preferred modelling approaches, ensuring relevance for both macro and micro-level research.
Participants will gain the skills to describe, investigate, and interpret emerging challenges for African agriculture, preparing them for advanced research and policy analysis.
Eligibility and Application Criteria
The summer school targets PhD students and early-career researchers from Africa. While specific qualifications are preferred, applications are encouraged even if candidates do not meet all criteria. Consideration will be given to motivation and research interests.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling
- Knowledge of quantitative methods and basic programming for modelling (e.g., GAMS or GEMPACK)
- Strong motivation letter demonstrating research interests and alignment with the summer school’s objectives
Additional Recommendations:
Applicants choosing the CGE track are encouraged to complete the DEMETRA online course in advance. Certificates from the course should be included in the application.
How to Apply
Applications should include the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Maximum 2 pages
- Motivation Letter – Maximum 1 page, outlining:
- Research background
- Reasons for interest in the summer school
- Preferred session track (CGE or farm-level model)
- Course Certificates – Copies of CGE or JRC online course certificates, if available
- Financial Support Indication – Specify if financial support is requested (Yes/No)
Complete applications must be submitted via email to: [email protected]
Key Dates:
- Application Deadline: 12 April 2026, 11:59 PM
- Notification of Acceptance: 30 April 2026
Organizers and Partnerships
The StEPPFoS Summer School is made possible through the collaboration of leading research and policy institutions:
- PANAP (Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies) – Facilitating applied economic research across Africa
- Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Commission – Providing policy-oriented expertise and training
- Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) – Ensuring practical relevance to African agricultural development
This partnership guarantees a curriculum that combines rigorous academic instruction with real-world applicability, preparing participants for careers in research, policy analysis, and agricultural economics.
Benefits of Participation
Participants will:
- Acquire advanced skills in economic modelling for agriculture and food security
- Gain hands-on experience with CGE and farm-level models
- Receive mentorship from leading researchers and policy experts
- Enhance their research portfolio with internationally recognized training
- Network with peers and experts across Africa and Europe
Additional Information
The StEPPFoS Summer School is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101136771. The programme emphasizes inclusivity, encouraging applications from diverse backgrounds and research experiences.
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Disclaimer:Â Global South Opportunities (GSO)Â is not the organization offering the fellowship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
