OWSD Postgraduate Training Fellowships for Women from Developing Countries

Organization for Women
in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is offering fellowships for
women scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries
(LDC). The fellowships are awarded to pursue postgraduate studies
leading to doctorate degree in all branches of the natural sciences at a
centre of excellence (renowned research institutions/universities) in the
South (developing countries) outside applicant’s home country.

The general purpose
of the scheme 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.

The specific aims of
the scheme are to improve access to educational and training opportunities in
science and technology for young and talented women graduates from Sub-Saharan
Africa and LDCs, to increase the scientific productivity and creativity of
women scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa and LDCs and to empower a new generation
of talented women to assume a leadership role in science and technology and
their application to sustainable development.

Course
Level: Fellowships are available for
pursuing postgraduate studies leading to doctorate degree at a centre of
excellence (renowned research institutions/universities) in the South
(developing countries) outside applicant’s home country.

Study
Subject(s): Applications are accepted
from female scientists in all branches of the natural sciences.

List of
Subjects: Eligible Scientific fields are 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. Please note that applications from
students in the Basic (or ‘pure’) Sciences, such as Mathematics, Physics and
Chemistry are encouraged.

Scholarship
Award:
Each fellowship will be offered for up to three years and will cover the
following:
– Travel expenses to and from the host institute;
– A monthly allowance to cover accommodation and meals while in the host country,
the amount of which will be determined in consultation with the host
institution;
– Refund of visa costs;
– A contribution for medical insurance;
– Attending one international conference/training course during the period of
the fellowship;
– On a competitive basis, attending of scientific communication and proposal
writing workshop.
An applicant who has already registered or who wishes to register as a PhD
student at her home institute can choose a sandwich option, whereby part
of the research programme is undertaken at a host institute in another
developing country. In this case the fellowship provides support (travel,
accommodation and living expenses) only while at the host institution. The
minimum period abroad is six months. The fellowship does not provide support
while the applicant is at the home institute.
-Alternatively, an applicant can enroll as a full-time research student at an
institution outside her country, in this case the fellowship will provide
support (travel, accommodation and living expenses) for 3 years.
-The host institution will be expected to provide the necessary facilities such
as tuition, training, supervision, laboratory supplies etc.
-Accompanying persons are not eligible for support.

Scholarship
can be taken at: South
(developing countries), outside their own country

Eligibility:
-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 honours degree in the natural sciences, engineering or information
technology disciplines .
-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.
-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.

Nationality: Fellowship is awarded to
women scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries.

List of
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., Ivory Coast,
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, Réunion, 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, Uganda, Western Sahara, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Supporting
Material: -Applicants
should complete all parts of the attached application form and enclose the
mandatory preliminary acceptance letter from a host institute, and copies of
all university degree certificates and university-issued transcripts, which
should include grades and courses taken.
-If the applicant is registered for a doctorate degree at an institution in her
home country and wishes to pursue part of her research at another institution
under a “sandwich programme”, a letter of recommendation from the home
institute supervisor must be enclosed.
-Applicants must also submit a research outline for their proposed PhD
programme. In the case of sandwich option applicants, the outline must make it
clear which parts of the work will be carried out at the host institute.
-Two SIGNED reference letters from senior scientists familiar with the
applicant’s studies must be provided. Reference letters must be on
letter-headed paper, signed and sent as attachments via email by the applicant
directly with the rest of the application or by the referee. In this case, the
subject line of the email must contain: OWSD/PG/candidate’s surname. Only
signed reference letters can be accepted.
-For sandwich applicants: the two referees must be different from the PhD home
supervisor.
-Incomplete, illegible or untidy applications will be evaluated poorly,
therefore applicants are requested to make sure the application documents are
well prepared and to include all the required enclosures (please see checklist
on the last page of the application form).
-Applications must be clearly typewritten in English, and completed in all
parts; regrettably the OWSD office cannot process incomplete and/or illegible
applications. Applications will only be acknowledged once processed.