Call for Applications

Ford International Fellowships Program for MA or Ph.D. Study

The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program provides support for up to three years of formal graduate-level study leading to a masters or doctoral degree. Fellows are selected from countries and territories in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Russia and include Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, where the Ford Foundation maintains active overseas programs. U.S. nationals are not eligible, although Fellows may study in the United States.

About IFP

The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program provides opportunities for advanced study to individuals who will use this education to become leaders in their respective fields.  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, and supports them through local partner organizations in 22 countries.  A growing number of IFP fellows have completed their studies and returned to their home countries, where they are forming alumni associations and networks, building a vibrant community both within and across national borders.

Ford Foundation programs have long promoted higher education and social justice worldwide.  By investing $355 million in IFP from 2001-2013, the Foundation is building on its commitment to creating knowledge in fields ranging across the natural and social sciences and humanities.  IFP draws on this tradition and underscores the Foundation’s belief that education empowers individuals to improve their own lives as well as to assist others in the pursuit of more equitable and just societies.

IFP is a program of the New York City-based International Fellowships Fund. The Fund is an independently incorporated supporting organization of the Institute of International Education (IIE).  The IFP Secretariat is housed at IIE headquarters in New York, which disburses the funds, and provides university placement for many IFP fellows.  IFP also works closely with Ford Foundation offices across the world.

Download a brochure about IFP:

http://www.fordifp.net/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=UNDf%2bgYW%2bkg%3d&tabid=55

WHAT

The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP) mission is to expand educational opportunity and foster social justice in developing countries. IFP provides fellowships for post-graduate study to emerging leaders from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Russia and Latin America. These leaders come from marginalized and excluded communities that typically lack access to higher education.

IFP was launched in 2001 with $280 million, the largest single grant in Ford Foundation history. In April 2006 the Ford Foundation announced a new pledge of $75 million for IFP. The program expects to support approximately 4,300 Fellows when final selections are completed in 2010. IFP will conclude in 2013.

IFP fellowships support up to three years of study for master’s, doctoral, or professional post-graduate degrees. Fellows choose a broad range of disciplines and fields that reflect their social justice concerns.  Areas of study include public health, natural resource management, indigenous languages, education, law, public policy and development studies, among others. To serve IFP Fellows, the program has developed partnerships with dozens of universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe, as well as in the Fellows’ home regions.

IFP pursues its mission through many innovative practices:

* Recruiting strategies are locally designed by IFP’s partner organizations to reach specific

marginalized communities

* Selections are carried out by independent committees in individual countries and regions

* Fellows are selected on the basis of their academic record and potential, leadership

skills and social commitment

* Fellows receive a comprehensive package of benefits, including preparatory training,

placement assistance and academic support during their post-graduate programs

* The fellowship supports study programs in universities throughout the world

* There is no age limit for candidates or Fellows

WHY

Demand for higher education is increasing throughout the world, far exceeding available funding. Developing countries, in particular, are in urgent need of educated leaders who will work with their communities on problems such as poverty, lack of education and health care, and environmental devastation. IFP addresses this need directly by providing opportunities for advanced study to talented and motivated individuals who will use their new skills and knowledge for the benefit of their home countries and communities.

WHERE

Selections for IFP Fellows are held in 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.

WHO

Over 3,300 Fellows have been selected from more than 65,000 candidates in Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Russia and Latin America. Approximately half the selected Fellows are women, many are from ethnic, religious or linguistic minority groups in their home countries, and the majority comes from rural areas or small towns.  IFP is one of the most selective fellowship programs in the world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

IFP is a program of the International Fellowships Fund, an independently incorporated supporting organization of the Institute of International Education (IIE). More information can be found at: www.fordifp.org or call (212) 984-5558.

Source:

http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topic/show?id=780588%3ATopic%3A159074&xgs=1