About this opportunity
The Strengthening Evidence-Based Policy Practice for Sustainable Food Systems project, a Horizon Europe funded project working with the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies and FARA Africa, is offering a one-year mentorship programme in single-country CGE modelling. The programme supports up to five researchers from PANAP member institutions in conducting their own CGE analysis using the DEMETRA model, described on the call page as an open-access, single-country, computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, implemented in GAMS by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC).
Selected participants receive a 1-year mentorship by a team of experienced CGE modelling researchers and participation in a regular (virtual) seminar series with mentors and other mentees. No cash award is printed.
The call opens to researchers on African agri-food systems who can conduct an analysis independently. The page states you can apply if your institutions or you are a PANAP member or in the process of becoming one, and if you have prior experience in conducting CGE modelling and can conduct an analysis independently, which should be proven by successful completion of CGE courses or relevant publications.
Applications are accepted in English or French. Research areas on offer are climate change economics and mitigation policy, agri-food systems and food security, energy systems and economy-environment interactions including fossil-fuel subsidy reform, intra-African agricultural trade and international trade disruption, sustainable development and structural transformation, and health and education including policy design using AI-assisted techniques.
The project recommends that applicants closely align the research project with the subject of their ongoing research work or PhD dissertation. The
Application timeline
is 10 November 2026, 18 GMT.
What you receive
- A 1-year mentorship by a team of experienced CGE modelling researchers
- Participation in a regular (virtual) seminar series with mentors and other mentees
- Support for your own CGE analysis using the open-access DEMETRA single-country model in GAMS
- Up to five supported researchers from PANAP member institutions
- A route to a peer-reviewed publication rather than a cash grant
Who can apply
- Researchers working on African agri-food systems who can conduct an analysis independently
- Your institution or you must be a PANAP member or in the process of becoming a PANAP member
- Prior experience in conducting CGE modelling, proven by successful completion of CGE courses or relevant publications
- Applications are accepted in English or French
Documents to prepare
- A one page motivation letter
- A three page research proposal covering CONTEXT, OBJECTIVES and DATA and METHODS, aligned to two or three of the listed research areas
- A short CV with a section on CGE and GAMS proficiency
How to apply
- Choose two or three of the listed research areas for your single-country CGE analysis
- Write the one page motivation letter and the three page research proposal with CONTEXT, OBJECTIVES and DATA and METHODS
- Add a short CV that states your CGE and GAMS proficiency
- Upload the three documents through the European Commission eSurvey form linked from the call page
- Submit before the printed deadline of 10 November 2026, 18 GMT
Selection process
- Applications are read against the stated requirement of prior CGE modelling experience and independent analytical capacity
- Up to five researchers from PANAP member institutions are supported in this round
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- FAO World Food Forum Internship Programme 2026
FAO is recruiting World Food Forum interns in Rome for 3 to 11 months. Open to nationals of FAO Member countries aged 21 to 30. Apply on the FAO portal by 3 November 2026.
- Jasiri Talent Investor Cohort 9 for Food Systems Entrepreneurs in East Africa
A 13 month, fully covered venture-building programme for Kenyan, Rwandan and Ethiopian entrepreneurs who want to create new food systems ventures, with up to USD 28,000 in milestone-gated venture creation funding.
Questions applicants ask
Is there a cash award?
No cash award is printed on the call page. The programme offers one year of mentorship, a virtual seminar series and support to run your own CGE analysis.
Which model does the mentorship use?
The DEMETRA model, described as an open-access, single-country, computable general equilibrium model implemented in GAMS by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.
Can I apply in French?
Yes, the call states that applications are accepted in English or French.
Important disclaimer
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