ADB Visiting Fellow Program

ADB's Visiting Fellow Program provides an opportunity for researchers and academics to share their ongoing or recently completed economic research in ADB headquarters in Manila.

ADB accepts applications year-round, but selections will be made on a quarterly basis. Female applicants and applicants from ADB developing member countries are especially encouraged to apply.

The program offers visiting fellows the opportunity to:

• Give a presentation or lecture on a research topic that is of mutual interest and relevance to both ADB and the visiting fellow. ADB's ongoing research topics are:
  
  • Aid and Development;
  • Behavior and Decision Making;
  • Economics of Climate Change;
  • Employment and Labor Markets;
  • Financial Sector Development;
  • Governance and Institutions;
  • Growth and Structural Transformation;
  • Human Capital;
  • Infrastructure and Software;

  • International Trade and Finance;
  • Macroeconomics;
  • Money and Finance;
  • Poverty, MDGs and Inclusive Growth;
  • Project Economic Analysis;
  • Regional Public Goods;
  • Social Protection;
  • Trade and Investment.
• Interact with staff from ADB's Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department (ERCD) and other departments to discuss fresh ideas or methodologies on the selected topic and to give advice on ongoing or future ERCD research.

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Eligibility

Candidates must:

• Have a PhD or its equivalent, or be a PhD candidate, in economics or a related field 
• Have ongoing research or a research proposal on a topic of relevance to ADB; and
• Be a national of one of ADB’s members.

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Application

Applications should be sent to [email protected], and should include the following:

• Short cover letter;
• Curriculum vitae;
• Short description of ongoing research project(s) including objective(s) of the study, methodology, findings, and policy implications; 
• Presentation materials such as PowerPoint slides; and
• A draft paper, if available.

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Selection

An ERCD selection committee chaired by ADB’s Chief Economist will meet quarterly to review applications and make the final selection. There are two selection methods under the program:

• Competitive selection: Applications will be evaluated based on the applicant’s background and expertise, as well as quality of research and its relevance to ADB
• Direct selection: This modality will be used in special cases where ERCD deems it necessary to engage specific individuals for their expertise

Applications will be reviewed each calendar quarter, and responses will be sent out a month after the end of each quarter (e.g., by 31 July for applications received in the second quarter of the year). If you do not hear from us within 1 month after the calendar quarter when your application was sent, then your application was not favorably considered.

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Conditions of visit

The following conditions of the Visiting Fellow Program will hold:

• The visiting fellow will come to ADB headquarters and stay for a minimum of 2 working days up to a maximum of 10 working days.
• An ERCD division will be assigned to serve as host for the visiting fellow.
• The timing of the visit will be agreed upon by ERCD and the visiting fellow. 
• The visiting fellow will deliver the outputs as arranged with ADB within the agreed timeframe.
• The visiting fellow will affix his/her signature on the offer letter to indicate his/her acceptance of the terms and conditions of his/her visit.
• The visiting fellow will publish the research paper as an ADB Economics Working Paper.
• Depending on the specific agreement with the fellow, he/she might be requested to submit the paper to ADB’s journal, the Asian Development Review.

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Remuneration and other benefits

Visiting fellows will be entitled to some or all of the following, with benefits to be decided by the ERCD selection committee on a case-by-case basis:

• Honorarium: A lump-sum honorarium will be paid to the visiting fellow, depending on his/her experience, qualifications, and agreed length of visit, as determined by the ERCD selection committee.
• Travel costs: ADB will provide a roundtrip air ticket via the most direct and cost-effective route on economy class, and reimburse the cost for obtaining visa;
• Miscellaneous travel expense: A one-time allowance of $100 will be given to the visiting fellow;
• Office space: ADB will provide an office space in the department for the duration of the visiting fellow’s stay.
• Accommodation and subsistence allowance: ADB will pay the visiting fellow a daily allowance to cover hotel costs and subsistence; 
• Insurance coverage: The visiting fellow will be responsible for his/her own travel and health insurance for the duration of his/her visit to ADB headquarters.

Non-entitlement: The visiting fellow is not entitled to participate in ADB’s medical and dental retainer plans, staff retirement plan, salary, privileges, immunities, and other privileges for ADB staff. 

Security: The visiting fellow is liable for his/her own security and safety and advised to register with his/her respective embassy in Manila. In case of evacuation from the country, he/she follows the embassy’s contingency planning.

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Contact

For questions related to the fellowship, please email [email protected].