Application Procedure for the Fully Funded OWSD PhD Fellowships in 2025
Go to school in one of the Global South’s underdeveloped nations. Good news! The OWSD PhD Fellowships are now accepting applications. We will go into great depth regarding this fellowship program, its advantages, and the application process in this post.
For PhD research in the natural, engineering, and information technology sciences, women scientists from science-and technology-lagging countries (STLCs) are eligible to apply for the OWSD PhD Fellowship 2025–2026. A monthly stipend, visa fees, and an annual medical insurance contribution are all covered by this scholarship.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) kindly provides funds for the program, which is run in partnership with guest organizations and is available throughout the developing globe.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) kindly provides funding for the initiative, which is run in collaboration with host institutions around the developing globe.
The fellowship program’s overarching goal is to support the successful involvement of women in their nations’ scientific and technological advancements and to help a new generation of women leaders in these fields emerge.
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The fellowship program’s specific objectives are to:
- Increase young, gifted women graduates from STLCs’ access to science and technology education and training opportunities.
- To boost the inventiveness and scientific output of female scientists in STLCs.
- To enable a new generation of gifted women to take on leading positions in technology and research.
- To motivate female scientists to support their nations’ sustainable development.
- To facilitate regional and global networking and collaboration among women scientists from the South.
Two study plans are available to candidates:
- A full-time fellowship (with a maximum financing period of four years), in which all research is conducted at a host institute in a different South African developing nation.
- A sandwich fellowship, in which the recipient completes a portion of her studies at a host institution in a different developing nation while still being enrolled as a Ph.D. candidate in her home country.
The sandwich fellowship is granted for a minimum of one research visit to the host institute and a maximum of three. The initial visit must last at least six months. No more than 20 months may be spent at the host institute overall. The funding period is limited to four years.
OWSD specifically encourages candidates to think about the sandwich option, which enables them to access specialized researchers and equipment overseas at the host institute while earning the Ph.D. in their own country.
Overview of the Scholarship
• Study in Developing Countries
• Institution(s): Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)
• Study Level: PhD
•Program Duration: Full-time fellowship with a maximum financing period of four years
A sandwich fellowship No more than 20 months may be spent at the host institute overall.
• Deadline: OWSD regretfully notifies all of its members and supporters that there will not be a PhD application call in 2024. This is because our financial sources are being impacted by global events.
The following are areas of opportunity focus: engineering sciences, mathematical sciences, medical and health sciences, neurosciences, physics, structural, cell, and molecular biology, biological systems and organisms, astronomy, space, and earth sciences, and agricultural sciences.
Scholarship Coverage
Assistance for the OWSD PhD Fellowship is only given while the student is physically present at the host institution.
The following are covered by the OWSD fellowship:
- A monthly stipend to pay for necessities like housing and food while in the host nation
- During the fellowship period, a special allowance to attend conferences abroad
- The cost of a return flight from the home country to the host institute for the predetermined research period;
- The annual payment to medical insurance;
Study fees (including tuition and registration fees) in accordance with the selected host institute, which is also anticipated to contribute; the chance to participate in regional scientific communications workshops on a competitive basis
The following are not covered by the OWSD fellowship: Bench fees and consumables; assistance with language training prior to or during the fellowship program; assistance with shipping research samples; expenses for purchasing a personal computer or software; assistance for family members; and additional return tickets to the home country for private reasons.
Qualifications for PhD Fellowships at OWSD
The following requirements must be met by applicants in order to be considered for OWSD PhD Fellowships:
English is a required language, and the following nations are eligible: You may also find the list of nations that qualify here.
- An MSc degree in one of the study areas mentioned above is the minimal requirement..
- The host institutes must be situated in a developing South American nation, not the candidate’s native one.
- After completing the fellowship, candidates must attest that they plan to return home as soon as possible.
How to Apply for OWSD PhD Fellowships?
To apply for this fellowship, kindly adhere to these guidelines:
(1) Go to the web portal and begin filling out an application.
(2) Ensure that the following necessary documents are uploaded:
- An outline for a doctoral research proposal.
- Transcripts and degree certificates.
Curriculum Vitae.
- A letter of preliminary acceptance from a minimum of one host institution.
- The host university’s letter of commitment.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- A scanned copy of the passport page including the applicant’s personal information (picture, document number, etc.) must be sent.
- In addition, applicants for SANDWICH study plans need to provide the following paperwork:
- A certificate of registration and no objection.
- A statement of support from the home supervisor.
Web page
Please visit the official OWSD website to learn more about PhD Fellowships:
