Designing Data Fellowships

March 2021

Who is this resource for?

This resource is for community leaders, organizations, or government agencies seeking to build Data Fellowship programs. It outlines the need for and essential considerations to develop such fellowships with specific examples and lessons learned by the Des Chiffres et Des Jeunes (DCDJ) program over three cohorts of Fellows, funded by the Data Collaboratives for Local Impact (DCLI) in Côte d’Ivoire. This guide provides a step-by-step methodology that development actors can follow to develop their own Data Fellowship programs.

How do I get started?

Thinking of putting in place a Data Fellowship? Start here – by reading this How-To document, and reading the DG case study, blogs, and use stories about the DCDJ Fellowship. After reviewing these materials, the first step is to determine the main objective of your Fellowship and begin planning.

Are the costs worthwhile?

Total costs will vary based on the context and country. Implementers should expect that costs might range from $500,000 to $1,500,000, depending on the size of the Fellowship and the team dedicated to working on it. The DCDJ program’s M&E results indicate that the education and professional value of the Fellowship to the Fellows themselves, as well as the value-add to placement organizations, is significant, making the costs worthwhile. Additionally, the process of recruiting, training, and maintaining Fellows encourages local organizations to take ownership of increasing data use. Please read the full document for details.

What other resources could help?

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