Agora Policy Opens Applications for 2025 Policy Writing Fellowship

Agora Policy has officially opened applications for the second cohort of its highly regarded Policy Writing Fellowship, a programme created to empower young writers, researchers, and policy enthusiasts with the skills, mentorship, and confidence to produce high-quality, impactful policy work.

Designed for emerging voices passionate about governance, development, and public affairs, the fellowship is a rare opportunity to learn how to turn research and ideas into clear, actionable, and evidence-based policy insights.

About the Fellowship

The Agora Policy Writing Fellowship is an initiative of Agora Policy, a Nigerian-based think tank committed to promoting evidence-driven policymaking and inclusive dialogue across Africa. The fellowship seeks to strengthen the continent’s policy ecosystem by nurturing a new generation of thinkers who can communicate complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Through a structured curriculum that blends theory with practice, fellows receive hands-on mentorship from leading policy experts, journalists, and academics. The programme equips participants to:

• Analyse complex policy issues with clarity and depth.
• Develop data-backed arguments and write persuasive essays, briefs, and commentaries.
• Engage diverse audiences—from policymakers to the general public—through accessible and compelling communication.

The fellowship is built on a practical approach, featuring writing workshops, mentorship sessions, and real-time feedback designed to refine participants’ analytical and communication skills.

Why This Fellowship Matters

In an age where information moves quickly and public opinion shapes governance, the ability to communicate ideas effectively has become critical. Many young professionals possess strong research skills but struggle to present their findings in a clear, impactful way. The Agora Policy Writing Fellowship addresses this gap by developing policy communicators who combine intellectual depth with simplicity of expression.

Through the programme, Agora Policy aims to:

• Cultivate emerging writers who can influence policy debates constructively.
• Foster evidence-based analysis and informed public conversations.
• Strengthen Africa’s capacity for effective governance through the power of ideas.

Graduates from the first cohort of the fellowship have already published widely read essays and policy papers that have informed discussions in both national and international spaces.

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Who Should Apply

The fellowship is open to individuals with a keen interest in governance, development, and policy communication. Ideal candidates include:

• Early-career professionals in public policy, research, journalism, or civil society.
• Graduate students studying political science, economics, law, or related disciplines.
• Writers and analysts seeking to sharpen their policy writing and communication skills.

Applicants do not need to be policy experts. The selection committee prioritises intellectual curiosity, commitment to learning, and a passion for driving positive change through informed ideas.

What Fellows Will Gain

Selected fellows will enjoy a range of benefits, including:

• Expert mentorship from experienced policy practitioners, editors, and thought leaders.
• Skill development in data analysis, research writing, and public communication.
• Publishing opportunities through Agora Policy’s platforms and partner media outlets.
• Networking and exposure to leading policymakers, journalists, and researchers.
• A growing community of alumni shaping governance conversations across Africa.

By the end of the programme, participants will have built a strong writing portfolio and gained the discipline to write confidently and persuasively on key policy issues.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their applications via email to fellowship@agorapolicy.org on or before 20 November 2025.

Applications must include:

• A short personal statement explaining motivation for applying.
• A writing sample showcasing analytical or policy communication skills.
• A brief résumé highlighting relevant academic or professional experience.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview or asked to complete a short writing exercise before final selection.

The Agora Policy Writing Fellowship is open to passionate Africans ready to use their voices and ideas to drive evidence-based change. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early and take part in this transformative experience.

By the end of the fellowship, participants will leave with sharper analytical skills, stronger writing capabilities, and a deeper understanding of how ideas shape public policy.