Invited researchers are an important element of J-PAL’s effort to increase the number of high-quality randomized evaluations providing actionable insights on the most effective approaches to reduce poverty and improve lives worldwide. The more than 550 invited researchers in the J-PAL network are eligible to apply for funding from J-PAL or work with a J-PAL regional office to implement their evaluation.
Learn more about invited researchers
Like J-PAL affiliated professors, invited researchers are also professors based at academic institutions where freedom to publish results is protected. Invited researchers typically have less experience than affiliated professors in carrying out randomized evaluations. By joining J-PAL as an invited researcher, they become eligible for a three-year term to apply for funding from a specific J-PAL initiative(s) or to work with a specific J-PAL regional office to implement their research project, opening doors to gaining this experience—often in partnership with a J-PAL affiliated professor.
We seek to recruit invited researchers from universities around the world, with particular emphasis on individuals from or based in a low- or middle-income country. In expanding our invited researcher program, we seek to build diverse networks of researchers around the world who are carrying out randomized evaluations, crowd in subject-matter expertise to J-PAL initiatives, and help researchers strengthen their research portfolio and advance their careers.
Some invited researchers previously served as post-doctoral associates with J-PAL or members of our affiliate network, or participated in one of J-PAL’s Regional Scholars programs. Many invited researchers go on to become J-PAL affiliated professors; in 2022, 92% of our new affiliates were previously invited researchers.
Invited researcher criteria
Invited researchers typically have less experience carrying out randomized evaluations than affiliates and are invited to either a specific J-PAL initiative(s) or a specific J-PAL regional office. Invited researchers to a J-PAL initiative are eligible to apply for funding from that initiative. Invited researchers to a J-PAL regional office are eligible to contract with that regional office to carry out field research.
Like J-PAL affiliates, invited researchers should be currently affiliated with a university or its equivalent, where academic freedom to publish results is protected, either as a professor or as a principal investigator. Researchers working at funding and implementing organizations (e.g. the World Bank, ADB or IDB) are not eligible to become invited researchers because of potential conflicts.
Due to limits on research funding and staff capacity, we can only add a limited number of researchers to each initiative or office every year. Eligible invited researchers are identified through an extensive annual centralized search process, nominated quarterly by initiative co-chairs or regional scientific directors, or through an annual self-nomination process (see below). Final selections are made by a committee of J-PAL affiliates.
Self-nomination form
In 2023, J-PAL is piloting a self-nomination process for invited researcher status. The self-nomination form will be open through June 30, 2023. In July and August, the Invited Researcher Selection Committee will review nominations and make final decisions. Due to limited research funds and staff capacity, we will only be able to select 20 self-nominated researchers for invited researcher status in 2023.
To be eligible for consideration, researchers must provide the following as part of their self-nomination:
- Link to CV
- Two publications for consideration by the IRSC
- Proof of PhD degree in economics or related quantitative discipline
- Proof of affiliation to and independent PI status at a university
- Brief personal statement detailing training, experience running RCTs or interest in doing so in the future, and research interests
- A reference from a J-PAL affiliate, your department chair, or another senior academic
The self-nomination form can be accessed here.
Current invited researchers who would like to self-nominate to other initiatives or regional offices can do so through the same self-nomination form. We will review those self-nominations on a rolling basis.
Additional Information on Active Invited Researchers' Eligibility
Use the filters below to identify all active Invited Researchers that are associated with each J-PAL initiative and regional office. In addition, all J-PAL Invited Researchers are eligible to apply for funding from the following initiatives and regional offices:
- Agricultural Technology Adoption Initiative (ATAI)
- Digital Agricultural Innovations and Services Initiative (DAISI)
- Digital Identification and Finance Initiative (DigiFI)
- Innovation In Government Initiative (IGI)
- Jobs and Opportunity Initiative Brazil (JOI BR)
- Jobs and Opportunity Initiative Global (JOI GL)
- Learning for All Initiative (LAI)
- Science for Progress Initiative (SfPI)
- J-PAL South Asia
In 2023, J-PAL piloted a self-nomination process for invited researcher status. The self-nomination form was open through June 30, 2023. The Invited Researcher Selection Committee will review nominations and make final decisions by October. Due to limited research funds and staff capacity, we will only be able to select 20 self-nominated researchers for invited researcher status in 2023.
To be eligible for consideration, researchers must provide the following as part of their self-nomination:
- Link to CV
- Two publications for consideration by the IRSC
- Proof of PhD degree in economics or related quantitative discipline
- Proof of affiliation to and independent PI status at a university
- Brief personal statement detailing training, experience running RCTs or interest in doing so in the future, and research interests
- A reference from a J-PAL affiliate, your department chair, or another senior academic
The self-nomination form is currently closed. Please check back in 2024 for the next cycle.
Current invited researchers who would like to self-nominate to other initiatives or regional offices can do so through the same self-nomination form. Please check back in 2024 for the next cycle.