Postgraduate Research and Training Fellowships Specially offered for Women Scientists Provided by Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is currently sponsoring Postgraduate Training Fellowships which is available for Women Scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries (LDC) at Centres of Excellence in the South. The eligible field is natural science.

Description
The fellowship program are generally aimed 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. In addition, the fellowship is expected to achieve the specific goals as follow:

• 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.
• To empower a new generation of talented women to assume a leadership role in science and technology and their application to sustainable development.

The funds of this fellowship award generously provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), OWSD has instituted a fellowship programme for female students from Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), who wish to pursue postgraduate training leading to a PhD, at centres of excellence in the South (developing countries), outside their own country.

Benefits:
The selected candidates will be granted benefits as follow:

• 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.

The fellowship will also support one or more of the following NEW funding opportunities aimed at:

1. Attending one international conference during the period of the fellowship;
2. On a competitive basis, attending of scientific communication and proposal writing workshop; and
3. On a competitive basis, attending the Fifth OWSD General Assembly and International Conference scheduled for 2014.

Eligibility

• The fellowships are open to qualified young women science graduates (generally below 40 years of age) from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or LDCs.
• The minimum qualification of applicants is an MSc degree (or equivalent), or an outstanding BSc honours degree, in the natural sciences, engineering or information technology disciplines.
• Applicants already on site in the host country will not be considered eligible.
• The host institute where the applicant wishes to pursue her doctorate degree must be in a developing country other than her own.
• The applicant must be willing to return to her own country after completion of the fellowship.
• Please note that the fellowship only availble for women scientist Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries (LDC)

Application Procedure

• Applicants should complete all parts of the application form, and enclose copies of all university degree certificates, and the university-issued transcripts, which should include grades, courses taken, etc.
• If the applicant has already gained admission at an institution of excellence in the South (i.e., in a developing country), a copy of the letter of acceptance from the institution must be enclosed.
• 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 (see sample below). 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 institution.
• Two reference letters from senior scientists familiar with the applicant’s studies must be enclosed with the application in sealed envelopes OR must be sent by email to info-at-owsdw.org. The subject line of the email must contain: OWSD/PG/candidate’s surname. Only signed reference letters can be accepted.
• Applications must be clearly typewritten in English and completed in all parts; OWSD will not process incomplete and/or illegible applications. OWSD will inform the applicant as soon as the application is processed.

Submission Deadline
31 July 2013

Website Link
http://owsdw.ictp.it/activities/postgraduate-training-fellowships