OWSD Ph.D. Fellowship 2020 (Fully Funded)

OWSD provides research training and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world at different stages in their careers. The OWSD Ph.D. Fellowship is offered to women scientists from science- and technology-lagging countries (STLCs) to undertake Ph.D. research in the natural, engineering and information technology sciences at a host institute in another developing country in the Global South.

The program 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.

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The general purpose of the fellowship program 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 fellowship program are:

• To improve access to educational and training opportunities in science and technology for young and talented women graduates from STLCs.
• To increase the scientific productivity and creativity of women scientists in STLCs.
• To empower a new generation of talented women to assume a leadership role in science and technology.
• To encourage women scientists to contribute to the sustainable development of their home countries.
• To enable women scientists from the South to collaborate and network on a regional and international level.

FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT

Candidates can choose between two study schemes:

• a full-time fellowship (maximum 4 years funding), 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 Ph.D. student in her home country and undertakes part of her studies at a host institute in another developing country.
  • 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.
  • OWSD particularly encourages candidates to consider the sandwich option, which allows them to earn the Ph.D. 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.

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

The applications will be reviewed by a panel of eminent scientists, appointed and chaired by OWSD.

The Selection Committee’s decision is final and without appeal. It cannot be contested or subject to explanation or justification.

If selected for an OWSD fellowship, kindly note that OWSD must be informed by the awardee of additional/supplementary grants, funds, and bursaries that have been awarded in connection with her Ph.D. research program, specifying the donor, amount, duration and purpose of the grant (which costs are meant to be covered). Any breach of this rule could lead OWSD to cancel the fellowship. If the awardee is a recipient of a significant grant, OWSD may decide to reduce the fellowship support accordingly.