Applications open for STEG PhD Research Grant Program

Deadline: 15-Sep-26

The STEG PhD Research Grant Program provides funding of up to £15,000 to PhD students conducting research on structural transformation, economic growth, labour markets, productivity, and related policy challenges in low- and middle-income countries. The program particularly encourages early-career researchers and studies with strong policy relevance, especially research focused on sub-Saharan Africa. What Is the STEG PhD Research Grant Program? The Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) PhD Research Grant Program supports doctoral researchers whose work can improve understanding of how low- and middle-income countries can achieve sustainable economic transformation and growth. The program is designed to help PhD students conduct high-quality empirical or theoretical research addressing important development and economic policy questions. Particular attention is given to research that can generate evidence relevant to policymaking in low-income countries, with a strong interest in sub-Saharan Africa. Grant Amount and Eligible Costs Successful PhD researchers can receive up to £15,000 for their research project. The funding may support reasonable research-related costs, including: Research assistance Data collection Purchase or acquisition of research data Data harmonisation and curation Research stipends Fieldwork Travel to research or field sites Other eligible research expenses Stipend Limits The grant includes specific limits on student stipends:

Students in high-income countries: up to £12,000 for stipends.

Students in low- and middle-income countries: the equivalent amount based on purchasing power parity (PPP). The grant is intended to facilitate research activities rather than provide unrestricted financial support. Key Research Themes Data and Measurement STEG encourages research that improves the availability and quality of economic data.

Projects may involve:

Collecting new macroeconomic data Harmonising existing datasets Developing new measurement approaches Curating datasets relevant to structural transformation Improving evidence available to policymakers Firms and Industrial Policy Research can examine how firms contribute to productivity growth and economic transformation. STEG welcomes research that incorporates broader development challenges into studies of structural transformation. Important cross-cutting priorities include:

Gender: examining gender differences in economic opportunities and structural transformation.

Climate and environment: understanding how climate change and environmental pressures affect economic development.

Inequality: studying the distributional consequences of economic transformation.

Inclusion: examining whether growth and structural transformation benefit disadvantaged populations.

Informality: understanding informal firms, workers, and economic activity.

Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Automation Research on artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced automation is particularly encouraged where it addresses their implications for low-income economies. Potential research questions could examine: How AI affects labour markets Whether automation changes demand for different skills The effects of AI adoption on productivity How automation may influence economic growth Whether technological change could increase or reduce inequality Opportunities and risks associated with AI in low-income countries Projects should connect these technological questions to broader issues of economic transformation and development. Who Is Eligible? The STEG PhD Research Grant is primarily intended for currently enrolled PhD students.

Applicants must:

Be currently enrolled in a PhD program. Conduct research relevant to structural transformation or economic growth. Address a policy-relevant question for low-income countries. Obtain a letter of support from their PhD supervisor. Demonstrate that the proposed research has empirical or theoretical value. Explain the relevance of the research to development and economic policy. Particular consideration is given to PhD researchers who are from or based in low-income countries. Geographic Focus STEG supports research relevant to low- and middle-income countries, with particular interest in sub-Saharan Africa. The research does not necessarily have to focus on a single country. Comparative studies and broader cross-country research can also be relevant when they address important questions about structural transformation and economic growth. However, research focused solely on India is not eligible under this call. Who Should Apply? The opportunity is particularly suitable for PhD researchers working on topics such as: Development economics Economic growth Structural transformation Labour economics Agricultural economics Industrial development Trade economics Public economics Environmental economics Gender and development Technology and automation Economic data and measurement Early-career researchers are especially encouraged to apply when their research addresses significant policy challenges in low-income countries. How the STEG PhD Research Grant Works Applicants should develop a research proposal that clearly connects their doctoral research with the program’s objectives.

Step 1: Develop a Policy-Relevant Research Question

Identify a specific economic or development problem affecting a low-income or lower-middle-income country. The research question should be precise and capable of generating evidence that can inform policy.

Step 2: Explain the Contribution

Applicants should clearly explain:

What the research will investigate. Why the question matters. What existing research does not adequately explain. How the proposed work will contribute new evidence or analysis. Why the findings could be relevant to policymakers.

Step 3: Develop the Research Methodology

Describe how the research will be conducted. Depending on the project, this could include: Econometric analysis Field experiments