PhD Training Fellowships for Women Scientists from Science and Technology Lagging Countries

PhD Training Fellowships for Women Scientists from Science and Technology Lagging Countries

Course(s) Offered: Sciences, Engineering, IT
Course Level: Graduate (doctoral)
Provider: Sida, OWSD
Country to Study in: Any country (except applicant's own)

Scholarship Description
The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) offers PhD Training Fellowships for Women Scientists from Science and Technology Lagging Countries (formerly called and administered as, Postgraduate Training Fellowships for Women Scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries).

The Fellowship is offered to women scientists from Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs) to undertake PhD research in the Natural, Engineering and Information Technology sciences at a host institute in the South (i.e. developing countries). Candidates can choose between two study schemes: a full-time fellowship or a sandwich fellowship.

The Call for Applications for 2017-2018 PhD Fellowships is now open. The programme is administered with funds generously provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and is offered in partnership with host institutes throughout the developing world.

Eligibility
All applicants must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

1. Candidates must confirm that they intend to return to their home country as soon as possible after completion of the fellowship.
2. Eligible countries: The list of eligible countries is as below. It is also available here(pdf).
3. Eligible scientific fields (are as listed below)
4. Eligible academic qualification: The minimum qualification is an MSc degree in one of the below listed study fields.
5. Eligible host institutes: Host institutes must be located in a developing country in the South (not the candidate's home country).

Selection:
The fellowships are highly competitive and selection is based on scientific competence and merit. The candidate’s project proposal is given particular attention.

Eligible groups
Citizens of Developing Countries, BUT specifically includes:

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Rep., Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Dem Rep. Congo, Djibouti, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Kenya, Kiribati, Lao People’s Dem Rep., Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Palestine (West Bank and Gaza Strip), Paraguay, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Participating Institutions
A list of recommended institutes is available here. Other institutes, not included in the list via this link, will also be considered if they demonstrate appropriate resources and expertise.

Candidates can choose between two study schemes:

• a full-time fellowship, where the research is undertaken entirely at a host institute in another developing country in the South.
• a sandwich fellowship, where the candidate must be a registered PhD student in her home country and undertakes part of her studies at a host institute in another developing country.

OWSD particularly encourages candidates to consider the sandwich option, which allows them to earn the PhD in their home country while accessing specialist researchers and equipment abroad, at the host institute.

The fellowship support is only provided while the student is on site, at the host institute.

Fields of research study
Eligible scientific fields:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences
• Biological Systems and Organisms
• Chemical Sciences
• Computing and Information Technology
• Engineering Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Medical and Health Sciences
• Neurosciences
• Physics
• Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology

Number of awards
Several will be granted. Not specified

Sponsorship duration
The full-time fellowship covers maximum 4 years funding.

The sandwich fellowship is awarded for a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 research visits at the host institute. The minimum duration of the first visit is 6 months. The total number of months spent at the host institute cannot exceed 20 months. The funding period cannot exceed 4 years.

Scholarship benefits
The OWSD fellowship covers:

• A monthly allowance to cover basic living expenses such as accommodation and meals while in the host country
• A special allowance to attend international conferences during the period of the fellowship
• A return ticket from the home country to the host institute for the agreed research period
• Visa expenses
• Annual medical insurance contribution
• The opportunity to attend regional science communications workshops, on a competitive basis
• Study fees (including tuition and registration fees) in agreement with the chosen host institute which is also expected to contribute

Method of Application
Please note that as from 2017, the OWSD PhD Fellowships applications will be collected through an online system only. OWSD strongly encourages eligible applicants to start gathering all requested documentation as soon as possible; sometimes it takes weeks to receive all relevant letters. Includes PhD research proposal outline, Degree certificates and transcripts, Curriculum Vitae, Preliminary acceptance letter, Letter of commitment, Reference letters, Passport, Registration and No objection certificate, and Supporting statement from home supervisor.

The online application system will only accept applications complete in all parts, including the required documents. All documents must be uploaded through the online application system. Do not email any document to OWSD unless requested.
The OWSD Secretariat reserves the right to judge an application ineligible if the answers and/or documentation do not correspond to the specific question asked (e.g. blank documents, false certificates, outdated reference letters).

It is important to visit the official website (link to it is below) for complete information on how to submit your application and also to commence your online application.

DEADLINES:
Deadline for application is 19 June 2017

PLEASE NOTE:
Only selected applicants will be notified.

The general purpose of this fellowship programme is 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.

Application Deadline: 19 June 2017
Open to International Applicants: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: Women Scholarships for International Students