J-PAL MENA Scholars Fellowship
The J-PAL MENA Scholars Fellowship builds a new generation of young experts that shape policy for social development to improve lives. The programme strengthens research capacity in the MENA region to drive real impact backed by rigorous evidence.
Fellows design and conduct randomised evaluations of programmes and undergo rigorous academic training with hands-on research experience.
How it works
This comprehensive programme combines:
- A course from the MITx MicroMasters in Data, Economics, and Design of Policy (DEDP)
- Contribution to ongoing J-PAL MENA projects
- Mentorship and professional development support
- An expansive network of researchers and policymakers working on critical issues in the region
About the research
Fellows have supported a range of randomised evaluations, including:
- Optimal interest rates for small business lending
- Jordan Jobs (employment policy)
- The New Nurseries Project (early childhood development)
- Irregular Migration in Egypt
Read key research papers by J-PAL MENA Scholar Fellows:
- Impact evaluation of the 'IDMAJ' wage subsidy programme on employment quality in Morocco
International Journal of Economic Policy Studies (2025) by Zakaria Elouaourti - Evaluation of the marginal fit and fracture resistance of interim restorations fabricated using different techniques: an in vitro study
BMO Oral Health (March 2025), Merna Ihab - Technology and evolution of occupational employment in Egypt (1998–2018): a task-based framework
Review of Economics and Political Science (February 2025), Mona El-Sayed - The vulnerable workforce: COVID-19 and the fate of atypical workers
AccScience Publishing (October 2024), Zakaria Elouaourti - Optimising mHealth Interventions for Children's Oral Hygiene: A Factorial Trial
Journal of Dental Research (December 2024), Merna Ihab - A policy brief with the Economic Research Forum
Economic Research Forum (December 2024), Mona El-Sayed
Developed by J-PAL MENA at the AUC
The J-PAL MENA Scholars Fellowship was developed by J-PAL MENA at the American University of Cairo (AUC) with support from Community Jameel and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development.
The fellowship provides scholars with a two-year stipend to support their time participating in fellowship programme activities.
Scholarship cohorts
The inaugural cohort was announced in 2023 from across six countries in the MENA region:
- Eman Eleish, assistant lecturer of economics, Faculty of Economics & Political Science, Cairo University.
- Noha Magdy, assistant lecturer of economics, Faculty of Economics & Political Science, Cairo University.
- Nouf Abushehab, PhD student, Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin.
- Reem AlSukait, assistant professor, King Saud University.
- Yasmine Kamal, assistant professor of economics, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University.
- Zakaria Mansouri, master’s degree, Economics and Public Policy Evaluation, Mohamed V University Rabat.
The 2024 cohort welcomed six scholars from Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon, with expertise in climate finance, labour markets, gender, and health:
- Aya Aboul Hosn, PhD candidate in economics, American University, Washington DC.
- Karine Moukaddem, PhD candidate, Aix Marseille School of Economics.
- Merna Ihab, assistant lecturer, Department of Dental Public Health, Alexandria University.
- Mona Elsayed, assistant lecturer in economics, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University.
- Zakaria Elouaourti, post-doctoral researcher, Cadi Ayyad University, Morocco.
- Zeinab El Beltagy, assistant professor, Cairo University.