National Universities Commission (NUC) Scholarship Scheme for Nigerian students - 2nd Edition (2013/2014)

Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID)

Course(s) Offered: Fields related to innovation and development
Course Level: Postgraduate
Provider: Federal Government of Nigeria (via NUC)
Country to Study in: Any country

Scholarship Description
As part of efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 20:2020 and the Transformation Agenda, the Federal Government of Nigeria plans to develop a critical mass of professionals who would serve as catalysts of change and agents of scientific and technological advancement, as well as sustainable economic development.

This would be achieved through the sponsorship of outstanding students for postgraduate studies in the top 25 universities in the world. To this end, the Federal Government has instituted the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID).

The PRESSID Implementation Committee now invites applications from qualified candidates for the second edition of the scheme (2013/2014 academic session).

Eligibility criteria
Interested candidates should:

• be graduates from the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 academic sessions, who would have completed their National Youth Service by October 2013;
• have obtained First Class Honours degree from any recognized and approved University in the following disciplines and aim at postgraduate degrees in the specified and allied disciplines:
  • Sciences: Nuclear Physics, Operations Research, Industrial Chemistry, Quantitative Genetics, etc
  • Basic Medical Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, etc;
  • Special Aspects of Biology: Biometrics, Molecular Biology, etc;
  • Economics: Econometrics, Development Economics, etc;
  • Engineering & Technology: Aeronautical Engineering, Mechatronics, Metallurgy, Material Science and Production Engineering, Nanotechnology, Cyber-Security, Software Engineering, etc;
  • Medicine: Oncology, Human Genetics, Hepatology, Nuclear Medicine, Geriatrics, etc;

***In the case of Medicine, candidates must have a minimum of 2 Distinctions in their Part 3 and Part 4 MBBS examinations.

In all cases, candidates must:

• be below 30 years of age by October 2013;
• be computer literate; and
• be ready to be bonded and to work, preferably, as academic staff in any public university or research institute for a minimum period of five (5) years.

Please note that universities in the United States of America, USA, require candidates to sit for the Graduate Record Exams (GRE) before they can secure admission.

Eligible groups
Citizens of Nigeria (graduating from recognised/approved universities in Nigeria)

Participating Institutions
The top 25 universities in the world -- visit the official website via link below for a list of the current schools OR see the list below.

You may view the list of universities below:

1. University of Cambridge, UK
2. Harvard University , USA
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
4. Yale University, USA
5. University of Oxford, UK
6. Imperial College, London
7. University College, London
8. University of Chicago, USA
9. University of Pennsylvania, USA
10. Columbia University, USA
11. Stanford University, USA
12. California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), USA
13. Princeton University, USA
14. University of Michigan, USA
15. Cornell University, USA
16. Johns Hopkins University, USA
17. McGill University, USA
18. ETH Zurich (SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY)
19. Duke University, USA
20. University of Edinburgh, UK
21. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
22. University of Hong Kong, HONG KONG
23. University of Toronto, USA
24. NorthWestern University, USA
25. University of Tokyo

Fields of study
Postgraduate level study in the areas of:
Sciences, Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences, Engineering, Economics, Special aspects of Biology, Nuclear Physics, Quantitative Genetics, Medical Biochemistry, Aeronautical engineering, among others

Number of awards
One hundred (100) awards every year

Sponsorship duration
Whole duration of program

Method of Application
Interested candidates should visit the official website (link to it is below) to apply online. You are advised to cross check with the courses offered by your preferred institution before completing your application.

It is very important to note that you are required to apply only once. You will be DISQUALIFIED if you apply twice.

DEADLINES:
All applications must have been received on or before the closing date of 8th November, 2013.

PLEASE NOTE:
You NEED to cross check the courses offered by your preferred institution before completing your application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for further screening.

For further enquiries, please contact the Scholarship Committee through pressid@nuc.edu.ng or presidentialscholarshipscheme@gmail.com.

Application Deadline: 8 November 2013
Open to International students: No (ONLY Nigerians)

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: FG Overseas Scholarships for Nigerian Students