UJALA African Scholars Program Launch
Overview
The UM6P-J-PAL Applied Lab for Agriculture (UJALA) officially launched its African Scholars Program at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Rabat on September 17, 2025.
The event brought together over seventy PhD students, faculty members, and researchers to introduce the program’s vision: supporting early-career African scholars to lead rigorous, policy-relevant randomized evaluations focused on small-scale agriculture and food security.
The launch marked the beginning of a new platform for strengthening locally led research and fostering collaboration between African researchers and policy actors.
Event Program
The launch opened with an introduction to J-PAL and UJALA, highlighting their commitment to generating rigorous evidence that informs policy and practice. Presentations of randomized evaluations conducted in African contexts showcased how high-quality research can guide improvements in technology adoption, agricultural extension, and input subsidy design. These discussions framed the introduction of the African Scholars Program, which offers a tailored package of training, mentorship, research funding, and hands-on experience.
To learn more about this event, please visit the following pages: