Researchers based in eligible low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa and Asia can apply for the Project AI Evidence (PAIE) Scholars Program, an opportunity designed to support researchers developing rigorous, policy-relevant evaluations of artificial intelligence applications for social good and poverty reduction.
The programme, an initiative of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), combines training in randomized evaluation with research development, mentorship and potential funding for pilot studies. Applications opened on September 17, 2026, and the deadline is October 16, 2026, at 12 PM ET.
About the PAIE Scholars Program
The PAIE Scholars Program supports researchers who want to investigate how AI-enabled interventions can affect social and economic outcomes.
Selected scholars will receive training in randomized evaluation and the evaluation of AI-enabled interventions. Those who successfully complete the first phase, meet the programme requirements, pass the required assessment and submit a revised concept note will receive a US$1,000 award. They may also be considered for proposal-development and travel support and research mentorship.
The programme uses a staged process. Participation in the initial training does not automatically lead to proposal-development support, mentorship or pilot funding. Advancement between stages is competitive.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to resident scholars based in low- and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa, according to the World Bank’s classification.
For the programme, a resident scholar is a researcher who has completed a PhD and whose primary professional affiliation is with a university in an eligible country. Applicants may hold additional positions elsewhere, but their main university affiliation must be in an eligible country.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a PhD in economics or another relevant empirical discipline.
- Have advanced quantitative training in areas such as statistics, econometrics, causal inference, experimental methods or machine learning.
- Demonstrate an interest in evaluating the effects of AI-enabled interventions on social or economic outcomes.
- Have sufficient English proficiency for coursework, assessment and research outputs.
- Be willing and available to complete all required programme components.
The initial training is tentatively expected to run for approximately three months, from November 2026 through January 2027. Participants should expect to dedicate approximately four to ten hours per week, depending on their previous training and familiarity with randomized evaluations.
What Does the Programme Offer?
The PAIE Scholars Program provides a structured pathway from research training to potential pilot development and funding.
Selected scholars will complete training covering randomized evaluation and AI-enabled intervention evaluation. Training components include:
- Selected modules from J-PAL 102x: Designing and Running Randomized Evaluations.
- The AI Evidence Playbook and AI Evaluation Playbook.
- Related research and reading materials.
- Live online workshops.
- A PAIE-administered proctored assessment.
Scholars who successfully complete the first phase will receive a US$1,000 award. The payment is conditional on completing the assigned training requirements, passing the PAIE assessment and submitting a revised concept note that meets programme requirements.
Research Concept Note
Applicants are required to submit a working concept note describing the research idea they want to develop.
The initial concept note does not need to contain a fully developed intervention or evaluation design, and applicants do not need to have an implementing partner at the application stage.
During the programme, scholars will refine their concept notes based on what they learn through the training. The revised concept note will address areas such as:
- The policy or social problem being investigated.
- The AI-enabled intervention or policy application.
- The research question.
- The relevant population and setting.
- Potential evaluation design, outcomes and data sources.
- Potential implementing partners.
- The pathway toward a randomized evaluation.
- How proposal-development and travel support could be used.
Up to US$10,000 in Proposal-Development and Travel Support
Scholars selected for the next stage may receive a proposal-development and travel grant of up to US$10,000.
The grant can support activities including background research, identifying an implementing partner, visiting potential field sites, assessing existing administrative or survey data, preliminary analysis where appropriate, refining research questions and evaluation designs, and preparing a pilot proposal and budget.
The grant cannot be used to conduct human-subjects research or collect data from research participants. Selected scholars may also receive research mentorship depending on their needs and mentor availability.
Up to US$75,000 in PAIE Pilot Funding
Scholars who progress to the pilot-proposal stage may submit a full proposal for an early-stage pilot study.
A pilot should have a clear research question and be designed to develop into or inform a future full-scale randomized evaluation. Pilot funding may support testing intervention feasibility, refining research and measurement strategies, operationalising implementation, collecting pilot data or facilitating access to administrative data.
Successful proposals may receive up to US$75,000 in PAIE pilot funding. However, pilot proposals undergo a separate competitive review, and an invitation to submit a proposal does not guarantee funding.
Application Deadline and Timeline
Applications opened on September 17, 2026, and must be submitted by October 16, 2026, at 12 PM ET.
The programme timeline currently indicates:
- Applications open: September 17, 2026
- Application deadline: October 16, 2026, at 12 PM ET
- Scholars selected: Early November
- Training begins: November
- PAIE assessment: To be confirmed
- Revised concept notes: To be confirmed
- Proposal-development decisions: To be confirmed
Applicants will need to provide a CV, one to three research examples, statements about their research experience and interests, and a working concept note.
Researchers interested in using AI to address social and economic challenges can explore the PAIE Scholars Program as a pathway combining research training, concept development, mentorship and potential funding. The programme is specifically structured for eligible PhD researchers based at universities in LMICs in Africa and Asia.
Programme: PAIE Scholars Program
Organisation: J-PAL / Project AI Evidence
Eligible regions: Africa and Asia
Level: PhD researchers
Initial award: US$1,000
Proposal-development and travel grant: Up to US$10,000
Potential pilot funding: Up to US$75,000
Training period: Approximately November 2026–January 2027
Application deadline: October 16, 2026, at 12 PM ET
