About the programme
Are you a researcher working on African agri-food systems? Do you have some experience in conducting CGE simulations and can conduct an analysis independently? But, you still feel you need to have a mentor to discuss your modelling choices, research design and analysis as well as deepen your knowledge of the methodology? Then this program is for you!
In the framework of the Horizon Europe funded project “Strengthening Evidence-Based Policy Practice for Sustainable Food Systems” (StEPPFoS), we offer a one-year mentorship programme in single-country CGE modelling. The program will support up to five researchers from the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP) member institutions in conducting their own CGE analysis using the DEMETRA model. DEMETRA is an open-access, single-country, computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, implemented in GAMS by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC).
The program’s objective is to contribute to strengthening economic modelling capacities of African researchers and institutions that are members or potential members of PANAP. More specifically, it is designed to support the prospective mentees in working towards a peer-reviewed publication using CGE modelling. The overall theme of the programme is the analysis of African agri-food policies, and we are inviting applications of your own interest covering two to three of the following research areas:
- Climate change: Economics of climate change; climate mitigation policy
- Agri-Food systems: Agriculture; Food Systems; Food Security
- Energy, environment and natural resources: Energy systems; Economy-environment interactions (land, water, energy); fossil-fuel subsidy reform
- Trade: Intra-African agricultural trade; international trade disruptions
- Development: Sustainable development; structural transformation in Afrika
- Health and education: Public health; health co-benefits of climate policies; economics of education
- Policy design using AI-assisted techniques
We recommend that you closely align your research project with the subject of your ongoing research work and/or PhD dissertation. This increases the likelihood that you will be able to set aside the necessary time to complete the study and successfully complete the programme.
To the selected participants in the programme, we offer:
- A 1-year mentorship by a team of experienced CGE modelling researchers
- Participation in a regular (virtual) seminar series with mentors and other mentees
Deadline:10 November 2026, 18 GMT
You can apply, if:
- Your institutions or you are PANAP member or in the process of becoming a PANAP member (PANAP)
- You have prior experience in conducting CGE modelling and can conduct an analysis independently, which should be proven by successful completion of CGE courses and/or relevant publications.
How to Apply
The call is open until 10 November 2026 18 GMT.
Please send the documents to link eu survey
Please submit the following documents (in English or French):
1. Motivation letter (1 page max)
2. Short research proposal:
a. approx. 3 pages, no formatting requirements
b. clearly relate your proposal to two or three of the research areas mentioned in this call
c. including the following three parts: CONTEXT presenting background and policy relevance of the research; OBJECTIVES deriving the research questions and objectives; DATA and METHODS providing an overview of the planned data, methods and possible innovations needed to pursue the research objectives.
3. Short CV:
a. listing your relevant professional and educational background and publication records.
b. including a section highlighting proficiency in CGE modelling and/or successfully completed CGE courses and use of the GAMS software.
c. your publications list, if any. The list could cover both green and grey literature, with accessible links, if available.
The documents can be submitted in pdf or word format, using the following naming convention:
· Surname_StEPPFoS_Mentorship_CV.pdf
· Surname_StEPPFoS_Mentorship_Letter.pdf
· Surname_StEPPFoS_Mentorship_Proposal.pdf
Programme mentors
