Q1: Who can apply?

Researchers, analysts, and practitioners based in Nigeria or working on Nigeria-specific issues with proven experience in financial services or inclusion-related research.

Q2: What’s included in the grant?

Stipends, research costs, fieldwork support, publishing and dissemination support. Budget guidelines will be provided during onboarding.

Q3: Will EFInA own the research?

Yes. All research outputs and materials produced under the fellowship, including reports, datasets, tools, and analysis, become the exclusive property of EFInA upon creation. Fellows retain moral rights of authorship and receive acknowledgement where academic credit is due and donor rules permit.

Q4: Can I work while in the fellowship?

Yes, but you must commit ~10–15 hours per week and meet all deadlines.

Q5: What if I don’t complete the project?

Non-completion without a valid reason will affect your eligibility for future EFInA programs and may require partial refund of the grant.

Q6: How long does the fellowship run?

The fellowship runs for eight months, combining independent research with structured mentorship, training, and capacity building.

Q7: What are Fellows expected to produce?

Each Fellow submits a capstone research paper suitable for academic or policy publication, a policy brief summarizing actionable insights, a presentation for EFInA’s Annual Symposium, and, where possible, a full anonymized dataset. Fellows are also encouraged, though not required, to produce a public engagement product such as an infographic, blog post, or explainer video.

Q8: Can I use existing data sources in my research?

Yes. Fellows are encouraged to draw on secondary and administrative data, such as EFInA’s Access to Financial Services survey, Global Findex, and CBN or NIBSS datasets, to strengthen their research and reduce reliance on primary data collection alone.

Q9: What support do Fellows receive during the program?

Fellows receive monthly mentorship from EFInA’s technical and policy advisors, participate in capacity-building workshops on research design, data use, and policy translation, and have access to peer exchange and relevant technical resources.

Q10: How are findings shared?

Fellows are expected to publish their findings on EFInA’s platforms and in peer-reviewed or reputable policy outlets, present at EFInA’s Annual Research Symposium, and engage directly with financial service providers, policymakers, and other sector stakeholders.

Q11: How independent is the research process?

Fellows manage their own research process, including obtaining ethical approvals where applicable and coordinating any research teams or field partnerships. EFInA provides mentorship and oversight through periodic progress reviews, but day-to-day execution is the Fellow’s responsibility.

Q12: Is this an employment relationship with EFInA?

No. Fellows are not employed by EFInA. You’ll work independently for the duration of the fellowship, with EFInA providing funding, mentorship, and support rather than acting as an employer.

Q13: Can the fellowship end before the program is complete?

In rare cases, yes, for example if either side isn’t able to meet its commitments, or EFInA needs to close the program early. If that happens, Fellows are expected to return any unused funds and any EFInA materials or data still in their possession.

Q14: What are Fellows responsible for when handling research data?

Fellows are expected to protect the privacy of anyone who takes part in their research, get proper consent before collecting personal data, and use that data only for the purposes of their study.