The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP)

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International Fellowships Program

The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP) provides

opportunities for advanced study to exceptional individuals who will

use this education to become leaders in their respective fields,

furthering development in their own countries and greater economic and

social justice worldwide. 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.

IFP is the largest single program ever supported by the Ford

Foundation. By investing $280 million over ten years through 2010, the

Foundation intends to build on its half century of support for higher

education. Foundation programs have long promoted the highest

educational standards and achievement. Ford fellowship recipients have

become leaders in institutions around the world and have helped build

global knowledge in fields ranging across the natural and social

sciences as well as the humanities and arts.

IFP draws on this tradition and underscores the Foundation's belief

that education enables people to improve their own lives as well as to

assist others in the common pursuit of more equitable and just societies.

General Guidelines

The 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 in Asia, Africa, the Middle East,

Latin America, and Russia, where the Ford Foundation maintains active

overseas programs. U.S. nationals are not eligible, although Fellows

may study in the United States.

Fellows are chosen on the basis of their leadership potential and

commitment to community or national service, as well as for academic

excellence.

Fellows may enroll in masters or doctoral programs and may 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 fifteen fields to strengthen democratic values, reduce

poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance

human achievement.

Once selected, Fellows may enroll in an appropriate university program

anywhere in the world, including their country of residence. The

program provides placement assistance to those Fellows not yet

admitted to graduate school.

IFP support also enables Fellows to undertake short-term language

study and training in research and computer skills prior to graduate

school enrollment. In addition, new Fellows attend orientation

sessions, while current Fellows actively participate in learning and

discussion activities designed to create information and exchange

networks among IFP Fellows worldwide. Finally, the program strongly

encourages IFP alumni to maintain contact with the program after

completing the fellowships to help them remain current in their

respective fields through the expanding IFP network.

Because local requirements vary widely among IFP countries, applicants

should carefully follow the specific application guidelines provided

by the relevant IFP International Partner organizations listed below,

including deadlines for the submission of applications.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be resident nationals or residents of an eligible IFP

country.

In addition, successful candidates will:

Demonstrate superior achievement in their undergraduate studies and

hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent.

Have substantial experience in community service or

development-related activities.

Possess leadership potential evidenced by their employment and

academic experience.

Propose to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree that will directly

enhance their leadership capacity in a practical, policy, academic, or

artistic discipline or field corresponding to one or more of the

Foundation's areas of endeavor.

Present a plan specifying how they will apply their studies to social

problems or issues in their own countries. Commit themselves to

working on these issues following the fellowship period. IFP selects

Fellows on the strength of their clearly-stated intention to serve

their communities and countries of origin, and expects that they will

honor this obligation.

IFP Fields of Study

IFP Fellows may choose to study in any academic discipline or field of

study related to the Ford Foundation's three grant-making areas, which

are:

Asset Building and Community Development, Children, Youth and Families,

Sexuality and Reproductive Health, Work-Force Development, Development Finance

and Economic Security, Environment and Development, Community Development,

Education, Media, Arts and Culture, Education Reform, Higher Education and

Scholarship, Religion, Society and Culture, Media, Arts and Culture, Peace and

Social Justice, Human Rights, International ation, Governance, Civil

Society

IFP International Partners determine application deadlines and

selection schedules in their region or country. Applications are

reviewed and final selections decided by panels composed of

practitioners and scholars from various fields of work and study. The

level and duration of awards are determined as part of the selection

process. Ford Foundation staff and their family members may not serve

on selection panels and are not eligible to apply for IFP awards.

Members of selection committees, staff of the organizations managing

the program in the various regions, and their family members are also

ineligible for IFP awards.

For details of this program and an application please visit the following URL

www.ifpsa.org

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