Call for Applications: Scholarships for J-PAL's Africa Evaluating Social Programs Course

About

Held live over Zoom, J-PAL's Africa Evaluating Social Programs Course will equip participants with the resources and knowledge to engage with impact evaluations of social programs. This training will provide participants with a thorough understanding of why and when researchers and policymakers might choose to conduct randomized evaluations and how randomized evaluations are designed in real-world settings. The course provides an in-depth look at using randomized evaluations to rigorously measure social impact, methods and considerations for their design and implementation, and how findings can inform evidence-based policies and programs.

Lectures and case studies use real-world examples from Africa on a variety of themes including labor, gender, finance, and governance.  The course reviews the benefits and methods of randomization, how to choose an appropriate sample size and common threats and pitfalls to the validity of an evaluation. It covers the importance of a needs assessment and a theory of change, and how to measure outcomes effectively—tools that are critical for all program evaluations.

Scholarships

IDEAL is offering five scholarships for this five-day training, scheduled to be held live over Zoom on 9-13 August. The course will provide an in-depth look at why and when randomized evaluations can be used to rigorously measure social impact, methods and considerations for their design and implementation, and how findings can inform programs. Lectures and case studies will use real-world examples from Africa. IDEAL will prioritize candidates based in Africa who support USAID BHA-funded activities.

If you are interested in being considered for the scholarship, please complete this brief application by Tuesday, July 27, 2021. IDEAL will inform all applicants of their selection status by Monday, August 2, 2021.

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