Interested graduate students should submit their application by 10 January 2026 (23:59, Astana time).
Data Lab and Center for Global and Regional Governance of Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU CEGREG), Astana
Final public policy launch: 28 April 2026 (Astana)
Overview
Data Lab and Center for Global and Regional Governance of Maqsut Narikbayev University will host the Expert School on Governance and Connectivity in Central Asia in Astana. The School is an advanced, research-oriented programme designed to support Master’s and PhD students in Kazakhstan in developing policy-relevant analysis on Central Asia and translating evidence into actionable recommendations for decision-makers.
Programme focus
The central focus of the Expert School is “Governance and Connectivity in Central Asia.” The programme examines how governance arrangements (institutions, informal practices, and stakeholder constellations) interact with connectivity dynamics, including transport corridors, infrastructure planning, trade and investment flows, and cross-border cooperation. The School is structured around contemporary regional shifts after 2016, heightened competition over corridors, pressures on water and environmental governance, and the growing geoeconomic salience of the region linked to critical minerals, the energy transition, and strategic trade regulation.
Eligibility
Master’s and PhD students currently enrolled at universities in Kazakhstan (at any stage of study).
Applicants working on Central Asia-related topics across disciplines, including economics, political science/IR, and public policy.
Format and outputs
Participants work in small research groups (3–4 students) within a thematic track and engage in a structured online workflow.
Participants will be offered training in Stata, NVivo for data analysis, and Adobe Illustrator for map-making.
Groups receive advisory supervision (light-touch) from dedicated scholars, including feedback on framing, literature, data collection, and recommendations.
The core output is an original policy brief per group (recommendations plus a data-visualisation component), prepared for a policy audience.
Application
Submissions must include:
Curriculum vitae (CV).
Motivation letter (including your research interests, preferred track/topic, and how the programme supports your academic and policy goals).
A brief confirmation of availability to participate in the online launch window (15–20 January 2026) and to meet regularly with your group (via email).
Key dates (2026)
-Application deadline: 10 January 2026 (23:59, Astana time)
-Notification of acceptance: No later than 12 January 2026
-Participation confirmation deadline: 14 January 2026
-Online workshops: 20 January – 20 March 2026
-Policy Brief workshop: 10 April 2026
-Policy launch (Astana, MNU): 28 April 2026 (offline event)
Logistics note
The Expert School is based in Astana. Participants from other cities are encouraged to seek travel and accommodation support from their home university for the final event on April 28. A limited number of partial travel grants may be available, subject to availability and selection decisions.
Contact
For questions regarding the Expert School or this call for applications, please contact:
Aizhan Arshabayeva (Data Lab): aizhan.arshabayeva@nu.edu.kz
Ikboljon Qoraboyev (Center for Global and Regional Governance of Maqsut Narikbayev University): i_qoraboyev@kazguu.kz
Application link: https://forms.gle/Go57kuxBUEb9DVMX6