Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Is a final year undergrad student eligible to apply?

We are preferring fresh graduates. The position demands full-time commitment, hence TRAs will not be able to hold another position/studentship during this period. 

2. When is the tentative program start date?

The tentative program start date for the quantitative stream is 1st September 2023. 

The tentative program start date for the qualitative stream is 1st September 2023. 

3. Can I join the program if my thesis submission is pending?

We prefer fresh graduates as the position demands full-time commitment, hence Trainee Research Associates (TRAs) will not be able to hold another position/studentship during this period. However, we also encourage applicants to apply with their thesis submission pending only in order to complete their undergraduate/graduate degrees.

4. I am waiting for my results to be published, am I eligible to apply? 

Applicants who have completed their coursework and are waiting for their final results can apply for the YRF program. 

5. How much is the monthly honorarium? 

This fellowship is for fresh graduates. Therefore, the honorarium would be equivalent to the market average salary bracket for entry-level research positions. 

6. What would be our career prospects after completion of the YRF Program?

Given our development-focused, long teaching tradition and world-class research capacity, we are uniquely positioned to be the breeding ground for the next generation of Bangladeshi social science researchers. Our senior researchers continuously mentor and train our young researchers. This program will help them grow and boost their confidence and capabilities in pursuing further studies to excel as social science researchers and meaningfully contribute to society. Our previous cohort of TRAs are now working as researchers at BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Bangladesh, etc. 

7. Who are the mentors of this program?

The senior researchers of BIGD will mentor the recruited TRAs for the YRF 2023.

8. What contents will be covered in the YRF Program 2023?

The quantitative stream of the YRF program will cover the following topics: 

• Basic and Advanced Econometrics

• Data Analysis using STATA

• Survey Design 

• Survey Instruments

• Data Collection Methods

• Literature Review 

• Paper Discussion

• Field Immersion 

• Report writing 

• Project Management including budgeting, logistics management, communications, etc.

Under the qualitative stream, YRF trainees will receive comprehensive tutoring on pre-empirical and empirical stages of qualitative research, getting to know important concepts, theories, techniques, and tools. Senior researchers will guide you through your own journey to becoming a capable qualitative researcher, and you will acquire an informed perspective on the nature and scope of qualitative research. YRF trainees will also learn extensively about research methods—including literature review, proposal development, and data collection (focused group discussion, key informant interview, in-depth interview, ethnography, participant observation, etc.)—under the expert guidance of mentors and senior researchers. 

9. Will my application be rejected if I cross the word limit for the SOP?

We encourage the applicants to convey their answers within a few sentences. We are not going to reject any application based on this criteria.

10. Is the fellowship online or in-person?

The fellowship will be in-person and training will be provided in both classroom setting (theory) and work desk (practical). 

11. Is there an age limit to apply? 

The quantitative stream is open to anyone who has completed at least a bachelor’s degree and has a sound understanding of mathematical reasoning. 

The qualitative stream is open to anyone who has completed at least a bachelor’s and has an enthusiasm to be a qualitative social researcher. 

12. I am not an economics graduate nor did I have econometrics coursework during my undergrad/postgrad period- can I still apply for the quantitative stream of the YRF program?

For the quantitative stream, we are welcoming students from any background but the applicants should have the ability to understand mathematical reasoning. Ability in mathematical reasoning could be demonstrated in different forms, including but not limited to, successful completion of mathematically involved coursework (as part of an undergraduate program or from online classes), strong Graduate Record Examination (GRE) quantitative score, etc. Furthermore, coursework in introductory statistics and econometrics (as part of an undergraduate program or from online classes) is also required. If applicants are sound in mathematical reasoning and basic statistics, we would consider their applications.

13. I do not meet the eligibility criteria but I am interested in working with BIGD. Are there any opportunities?

If you are interested in working with BIGD, we would encourage you to apply for an internship with us. Please follow this link to apply: https://bigd.bracu.ac.bd/work-with-us/

14. Can I apply to both quantitative and qualitative streams of the YRF Program?

No, you can only apply to one program stream.