Faculty for the Future Fellowship | STEM Opportunities for Women, Schlumberger Foundation

The Schlumberger Foundation & The Faculty for the Future Fellowship empowers women from developing countries to pursue advanced STEM degrees and become leaders in their communities. This program creates a global network of female scientists, engineers, and innovators who return home to drive socio-economic development.

Who Can Apply?

This fellowship is specifically designed for female students and researchers from eligible developing countries pursuing advanced STEM education.

Eligibility Requirements

Academic Level

• Preparing for a PhD degree or post-doctoral research in STEM fields
• Master’s level studies are NOT funded

Citizenship

• Female citizen of a developing country where women are underrepresented in STEM
• Must NOT hold dual citizenship with a developed country
• If awarded and later obtain developed country citizenship, grant will be discontinued

University Status

• Enrolled, admitted, or applied to a host university/research institute abroad
• Must have already applied to a university (applications no longer accepted if you haven’t applied yet)
• For sandwich courses, final degree must be awarded by host university abroad or jointly

Academic Excellence

• Hold an excellent academic record
• Demonstrate commitment to returning home after studies

Teaching Experience

• Proven record of teaching experience in your home country
• Commitment to returning home for academic/research positions, STEM entrepreneurship, or policy making

Leadership

• Demonstrate leadership skills and active community outreach
• Track record in encouraging girls and women into STEM

Eligible Countries (2025-2026)

Applications are accepted from female citizens of these developing and emerging countries:

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Congo (DRC), Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Note: The eligible country list is reviewed annually and may change based on development status fluctuations.

Selection Criteria

Successful applications go through four selection rounds. Reviewers focus on:

Academic Performance
Demonstrated excellence in academic achievements and research potential

Quality of References
Strong recommendations from academic and professional references

Quality of Host University
Reputation and quality of the host institution abroad

Commitment to Return Home
Clear plan and commitment to return to home country after studies

Teaching & Entrepreneurship
Commitment to teaching, STEM entrepreneurship, or policy making

Research Relevance
How your research will benefit your home country’s development

Inspiring Women in STEM
Track record and commitment to encouraging girls and women into STEM

Application Tips for Students

Plan Ahead
Producing a quality application takes time. Final selection is based partly on the standard of your application and accompanying materials.

Have a Clear Strategy
Make sure all parts of your application form an integrated whole. Highlight aspects that give reviewers a focused yet well-rounded view of your candidature.

Read Instructions Carefully
The instructions are your guide to producing a comprehensive and competitive application.

Meet Eligibility Criteria
Ensure you meet all criteria and application deadlines before applying.

Include Funding Information
Provide information about available funding from other sources (fellowships, scholarships, sponsorships).

Important Warnings

• If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, please do not apply, as your application will not be retained in the selection process
• Applications are only accepted through the online system
• You must have already applied to a host university before applying for this fellowship

Application Timeline

Applications Open: September 1, 2025
Application Deadline: November 7, 2025 (Midnight, Anywhere on Earth)
Application Method: Online system only

The Faculty for the Future Fellowship represents a unique opportunity for female students from developing countries to pursue advanced STEM education abroad while building the foundation to return home as leaders and innovators in their fields.

For more information CLICK HERE

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