To be eligible to apply for this Fellowship applicants must meet the following criteria: You:

• are a female and are a citizen of a low or middle income country where women are underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines*. You are not eligible to apply if you hold dual citizenship of which one is citizenship of a developed (N.B. If you have been awarded a Faculty for the Future grant and after the award you obtain citizenship of a developed country, the grant will be discontinued as of the date of such additional citizenship);
• are preparing for a PhD degree or post-doctoral research in a STEM discipline. The Faculty for the Future program does not fund Master level studies;
• are enrolled, admitted or have applied to a host university/research institute abroad that is well ranked and recognized for strong research in your field. Applications are not accepted where a candidate has not yet applied to a university. If you are applying for a sandwich course the final degree must be awarded by the Host University abroad or jointly (ie., but not solely from the home country university);
• hold an excellent academic record;
• are willing to go back to your home country or region upon completion of your studies to contribute to its socio-economic development;
• have a proven record of teaching experience in your home country and can demonstrate your commitment to going back home to: i) an academic or research position in a STEM faculty; ii) and/or to using your knowledge to become a STEM entrepreneur to help resolve regional challenges in your local community/region; iii) and/or to demonstrating leadership by contributing to the public sector using your scientific skills to help provide evidence-based support for STEM policy making;
• can demonstrate leadership skills, active community outreach and have a track record in encouraging young people, particularly girls and women into STEM.

If you do not meet the criteria, please do not apply for a grant, as your application will not be retained in the selection process.

*Faculty for the Future focuses on countries with a low UN Human Development Index (HDI) , where women are underrepresented in STEM disciplines. In particular the Foundation encourages applications from STEM disciplines where women are particularly underrepresented: Physical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics.

2026-2027 ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES