Applications Open for the Graduate Admissions Initiative Network (GAIN) 2026-27 Cohort

The Graduate Admissions Initiative Network (GAIN) has opened applications for the 2026/27 cohort, offering an intensive training and mentoring program for aspiring economists across Africa. The initiative is designed for highly motivated students who aim to pursue graduate studies — particularly PhD programs in economics and related social sciences — at top global institutions.

GAIN supports outstanding African students by providing structured guidance, skills development, and mentorship across every stage of the graduate school application process. Applications are now open until February 11th, 2026.

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Who Can Apply to Graduate Admissions Initiative Network?

The GAIN program is open to applicants from all African countries. Ideal candidates are:

• Top-performing students in their final year or recent graduates of a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in economics or related fields.

• Individuals intending to pursue a PhD in economics or a Master’s degree that will lead to PhD-level study.

• Applicants willing to study abroad and dedicate 3–5 hours per week to the GAIN Webinar Series from January onwards.

Students must also demonstrate commitment, discipline, and interest in academic careers, policy research, or economics-related fields.

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Program Structure

GAIN consists of two main components: the Webinar Program and the Mentoring Program. Accepted participants first complete the webinar phase and may then apply to the mentoring stage.

1. The GAIN Webinar Program

The webinar series runs biweekly from January to June, covering all core aspects of the graduate application journey. Participants will learn from faculty, researchers, and African scholars on topics including:

• Scholarships and funding opportunities

• Strategies for standardized tests (GRE, TOEFL, etc.)

• Academic CV writing

• Crafting strong statements of purpose

• Approaching potential recommendation letter writers

• Selecting graduate programs

• Career pathways in academia, research, and policy

• Balancing personal responsibilities during graduate studies

This stage forms the foundation of the GAIN pipeline. Completing the webinar program is mandatory for eligibility for the mentoring phase.

At the end of the webinar program, participants may apply for mentoring by submitting:

• A mock GRE result

• CV

• Statement of purpose

• Most recent academic transcript

2. The Mentoring Program

The mentoring phase matches each selected mentee with a mentor who meets with them every two weeks. Mentors are:

• Professors

• Researchers

• Policy experts

They support mentees in preparing application materials, selecting suitable programs, and refining GRE/TOEFL strategies. Matching considers field of study, academic interests, and personal background (e.g., country of origin).

The mentoring phase begins with a GRE summer bootcamp, which includes preparation resources and guided study. Participants must take a GRE by the end of the summer. Continued participation and access to GAIN’s financial support depend on GRE performance.

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Financial Support

GAIN offers targeted financial assistance to help cover essential application-related costs, such as:

• Graduate school application fees

• Standardized test fees

• Test score submission costs

The highest-performing participants in the GRE bootcamp will qualify for Mentoring+, which provides an expanded funding package and additional guidance from the GAIN team.

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GAIN Alumni: Ongoing Graduate Support

Participants admitted to graduate programs join the GAIN Alumni Network, gaining continued support through:

• Monthly check-in calls

• Targeted webinars

• Guidance for navigating graduate school

• Academic and personal wellbeing support

This alumni phase helps ensure strong performance, retention, and successful completion of graduate studies.

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Key Dates

• Information Session: January 21st, 2026

• First GAIN Webinar: January 28th, 2026

• Application Deadline: February 11th, 2026

Recordings of past information sessions are available under the Resources section, with the 2026 recording to be uploaded at the end of January.

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How to Apply

Qualified candidates may apply using the GAIN Program Application Form until February 11th, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and selected applicants will be notified by the end of February.

Applicants should check their email regularly for communication from webinars@gain-network.net.

To know more about such opportunities, click here.