Summary
The Schlumberger Foundation is an independent non-profit organisation that drives gender parity in STEM disciplines. Through its flagship Faculty for the Future program, the foundation awards highly competitive fellowships to talented women from developing and emerging nations—including Malawi—to pursue PhD or Postdoctoral research at top-tier universities and research institutions worldwide.
Core Program: Faculty for the Future Fellowships
| Component | Detail / Specification |
|---|
| Funding Maximum | PhD: Up to $50,000 per year
Postdoc: Up to $40,000 per year |
| Duration | 12 months (Renewable subject to strict review and academic performance) |
| Primary Focus | Physical sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics. |
| Interdisciplinary Rule | Biological sciences are only eligible if heavily integrated with physical science or computational methodologies. |
| Exclusions | Taught Master's or research Master's degree programs are not funded. |
Eligibility Criteria for UNIMA Applicants
To qualify for institutional endorsement and final selection, candidates must strictly satisfy the following criteria:
- Gender & Nationality: Must be female and a citizen of a developing/emerging economy (Malawian citizens are fully eligible). Candidates with dual citizenship holding a passport from a developed nation will be disqualified.
- Institutional Status: Must already hold an official admission letter, be enrolled, or have a pending application with a recognised host university/research institute abroad.
- Degree Ownership: For joint or "sandwich" PhD setups, the final degree certificate must be explicitly issued and awarded by the foreign host institution, not the home university.
- Return Commitment: Applicants must explicitly demonstrate a strong commitment to return to their home country or region post-completion to contribute to academic teaching, socio-economic policy, or STEM leadership.
- Community Leadership: A documented track record of public service, leadership capabilities, and outreach initiatives encouraging girls to enter STEM fields.
Eligible Expenses Covered
Grants are tailored to actual costs and strictly cover:
- University tuition fees and mandatory laboratory bench fees.
- Monthly living stipends and reasonable accommodation costs.
- Initial international travel, visa processing, and academic conference fees.
- Approved childcare allowances where applicable.
Application Cycle & Key Timelines
The program operates on a firm annual schedule via the Faculty for the Future Application Portal:
- Application Window Opens: September 1
- Application Deadline: November 7 (Closes exactly at 12:00 PM CST / UTC-6)
- References Deadline: November 14
- Evaluation Framework: Applications undergo a rigorous four-round review assessing academic excellence, referee quality, host institution prestige, and local developmental impact.
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