Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Programme
The Ford Foundation’s International Fellowships Programme (IFP) provides opportunities to exceptional individuals for advanced study. If you are a national or resident of an eligible IFP country and would like to study in Europe, Nuffic can act as a placement partner for you.
The Ford Foundation’s International Fellowships Programme (IFP) provides opportunities to exceptional individuals for advanced study. If your ambition is to use your education to become a leader in your field, furthering development in your own country and greater economic and social justice worldwide, you might be eligible.
Potential fellows are selected from countries and territories in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and from Russia, where the Ford Foundation maintains active overseas programmes.
As a fellow, you may enrol on master’s programmes or doctoral programmes and pursue any academic discipline or field of study that is consistent with the interests and goals of the Ford Foundation. The Foundation currently works in twelve fields to strengthen democratic values, alleviate poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement.
To ensure that fellows are drawn from diverse backgrounds, IFP actively seeks candidates from social groups and communities that lack systematic access to higher education.
Pre-Academic Training PAT
IFP offers fellows the opportunity to prepare for your study by following Pre-Academic Training (PAT). This course aims to improve both English language skills and academic skills. PAT familiarizes you with the academic environment of European higher education institutions. In the Netherlands, PAT is given by the Centre for European Studies (CES) at the University of Maastricht. The CES has an established record of providing pre-academic and bridging programmes for international students.
What are the requirements?
American and European nationals are not eligible, although fellows may study anywhere in Europe or the United States.
As a candidate for the Ford International Fellowships Programme, you must comply with the following requirements:
- You must be a national or resident of an eligible IFP country or territory*.
- You may enrol on any appropriate university programme anywhere in the world, including your country of residence.
- You must demonstrate superior achievement in your undergraduate studies and hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent.
- You must have substantial experience in community service or development-related activities.
- You must possess leadership potential evidenced by your employment and academic experience.
- You must propose to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree that will directly enhance your leadership capacity in a practical, policy, academic, or artistic discipline or field.
- You must choose a field corresponding to one or more of the Foundation's areas of endeavour.
- You must present a plan specifying how you will apply your studies to social problems or issues in your own country.
- You must commit yourself to working on these issues following the fellowship period.
*Currently these are: Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Vietnam.
What does the scholarship include?
The scholarship provides a financial contribution for an IPF fellow to obtain a master’s degree or a PhD degree at one of the partner universities of the IFP.
How do I apply?
Submit your application to the appropriate IFP International Partner in your country or region of residence. There are sixteen International Partners. They determine application deadlines and selection schedules in their region or country. Go to the IFP website for an overview of IFP International Partners including web addresses.
There are two placement partners voor Europe. Nuffic acts as placement partner for continental Europe. The British Council acts as placement partner for the United Kingdom (excluding Ireland).
For IFP, Nuffic provides the following services for fellows considering studying in continental Europe:
- general information provision regarding European higher education systems, admission requirements and available study programmes
- general information provision regarding study and living conditions, health and visa requirements in continental European countries
- individual advice on study opportunities, placement and admission issues
- placement at up to three continental European universities
- ongoing support in case of emergency, health, study or legal problems.
The programme also provides placement assistance to fellows who have not yet been admitted to graduate school.
Deadline
The deadline for fellowship applications differs per country.
What are the selection and approval procedures?
The IFP International Partner in your country or region of residence is responsible for the selection and approval procedures. See the IFP website for an overview of IFP International Partners including web addresses.
Links
For more information about IFP, please visit the programme website at www.fordifp.net. |