The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP)

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The Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP)

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

The Application Process

All applications must be submitted to the appropriate IFP

International Partner listed below in the country or region where the

applicant resides. 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.

IFP International Partner Offices in India

United State Educational Foundation in India (USEFI):

www.ifpsa.org

http://www.fordfound.org/news/more/11272000ifp/index.cfm