Deadline: 31 May 2016
The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is currently inviting applications for its Postgraduate Training Fellowships for Women Scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries with an aim to contribute to the emergence of a new generation of women leaders in science and technology, and to promote their effective participation in the scientific and technological development of their countries.
This fellowship programme is for female students from Sub-Saharan Africa or Least Developed Countries (LDCs) who wish to pursue postgraduate training leading to a doctorate degree at a centre of excellence in the South outside their own country.
Aims
The specific aims of the scheme are:
- Improve access to educational and training opportunities in science and technology for young and talented women graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa and LDCs.
- Increase the scientific productivity and creativity of women scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa and LDCs.
- Empower a new generation of talented women to assume a leadership role in science and technology and their application to sustainable development.
Benefits
Each fellowship will be offered for up to three years and will cover the following:
- Travel to and from the host institute;
- A monthly allowance to cover accommodation and meals while in the host country;
- Study fees (including tuition and registration fees);
- Visa expenses;
- A yearly medical insurance contribution;
- A lump sum allowance to attend international conferences during the period of the fellowship;
- On a competitive basis, attending of scientific communication and proposal writing workshop; and
- On a competitive basis, attending the Fifth OWSD General Assembly and International Conference scheduled for 2016.
Eligible Scientific Fields
- Agricultural Sciences
- Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology
- Biological Systems and Organisms
- Medical and Health Sciences
- Neurosciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Engineering Sciences
- Information Technology
- Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Physics
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to qualified women science graduates from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries (see list below).
- If applicants are over 40 years of age, they should include a brief explanation of why their research career has been delayed.
- The minimum qualification is an MSc degree (or equivalent), or an outstanding BSc honors degree in the natural sciences, engineering or information technology disciplines (see list above).
- Host institutions must be located in a developing country. This must be a different country from the applicant’s home country.
- Applicants must provide a preliminary acceptance letter from at least one host institute. The letter must be prepared based on the sample on page 10 and be signed by the head of department, potential host supervisor or postgraduate studies coordinator.
- The application will be evaluated more favorably if the preliminary acceptance letter is supported by a letter of commitment from the prospective host supervisor, describing why the host institute is appropriate for the subject of study and confirming the supervisor’s interest in working with the student.
- Students from eligible countries already enrolled on a PhD programme in their home country can apply for the sandwich option. This gives them access to expertise and resources that might not be available at the home institute.
- Applicants already on site in the host country will not be considered eligible since this implies that they have already secured sufficient funding for their studies.
- The applicant must be willing to return to her own country after completion of the fellowship.
- Accompanying persons are not eligible for support.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted via email.
Eligible Countries:
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros Islands, Congo Dem. Rep., Congo Rep., Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kenya, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Niger, Reunion, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Western Sahara, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
For more information, please visit Postgraduate Training Fellowships for Women Scientists.
