How to Apply for the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women

Are you a woman from a developing or emerging economy who is passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)? Do you want to advance your academic and professional career in STEM and contribute to the development of your home country and region? If yes, then you should consider applying for the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women, a flagship program of the Schlumberger Foundation that aims to accelerate gender equality in STEM and empower women to become leaders and role models in their fields.

The Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women is a highly competitive and selective program that awards fellowships to women who have been accepted to pursue PhD or postdoctoral studies in STEM disciplines at leading universities abroad. The fellowship covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other related expenses, up to USD 50,000 per year for PhD candidates and up to USD 40,000 per year for postdoctoral researchers. The fellowship also provides mentoring, networking, and professional development opportunities for the fellows, as well as access to a vibrant community of women in STEM from around the world.

In this blog post, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women, including its objectives, eligibility criteria, benefits, available courses, application process, deadline, and contact details. We will also answer some frequently asked questions and share some tips and advice on how to prepare a successful application. By the end of this post, you will have a clear idea of whether this scholarship is right for you and how to apply for it. So, let’s get started!

What is the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship and what are its objectives?

The Schlumberger Foundation is an independent nonprofit entity that supports STEM education and research around the world. Since its inception in 1954, the Foundation has funded various programs and initiatives in scientific education, such as scholarships, grants, awards, and partnerships with universities and organizations.

The Faculty for the Future program, launched in 2004, is the Foundation’s flagship program that focuses on supporting women from developing and emerging economies to pursue advanced studies in STEM at leading universities worldwide. The program’s long-term goal is to accelerate gender equality in STEM by generating conditions that result in more women pursuing scientific careers and overcoming some of the barriers they face when enrolling in STEM disciplines. The program is committed to gender parity in science in the interests of sustainable development and recognizes that full access to and participation in a STEM curriculum is essential for the empowerment of women and girls.

By accelerating gender equality in STEM, the program aims to develop the talent and capacities of these women for the benefit of their local communities, regions, and nations. The program expects the fellows to return to their home countries upon completion of their studies and contribute to the economic, social, and technological advancement of their home regions by strengthening the STEM teaching and research faculties of their home institutions, as well as through their leadership in science-based entrepreneurship. The program also fosters a network of women in STEM who can support each other, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects that address global challenges.

Since its launch, the program has awarded more than 770 fellowships to women from 84 countries, covering a wide range of STEM disciplines, such as agriculture, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, physics, and more. The program has also supported more than 300 alumnae who have completed their studies and returned to their home countries, where they are making significant impacts in their fields and communities.

Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship and what are the requirements?

The Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women is open to women from developing and emerging economies who meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You must have a proven track record of academic excellence and a strong aptitude for scientific research.
• You must have been accepted to pursue a PhD or postdoctoral studies in a STEM discipline at a leading university abroad. You must provide a letter of acceptance from the host university and a letter of recommendation from your home university.
• You must hold an excellent Master’s degree or equivalent in a STEM discipline, or have evidence of outstanding ability and potential in research if applying for a postdoctoral fellowship.
• You must be proficient in the language of instruction of your chosen university and be able to communicate effectively in English.
• You must be committed to returning to your home country or region upon completion of your studies and contributing to its development through teaching, research, or entrepreneurship in STEM.
• You must be willing to participate in the program’s activities, such as mentoring, networking, and professional development, and to become an active member of the Faculty for the Future community.
• You must not hold dual citizenship of a developed country or have permanent residency in a developed country.
• You must not have previously received a Faculty for the Future fellowship.

The program defines developing and emerging economies as those countries listed in the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients. The list of eligible countries is as follows:

• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Algeria
• Angola
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Bangladesh
• Belarus
• Belize
• Benin
• Bhutan
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• China
• Colombia
• Comoros
• Congo
• Congo, Democratic Republic
• Cook Islands
• Costa Rica
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Cuba
• Djibouti
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Eswatini
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Georgia
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jamaica
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Korea, Democratic People’s Republic
• Kosovo
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Mali
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Micronesia, Federated States
• Moldova
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Myanmar
• Namibia
• Nauru
• Nepal
• Nicaragua
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Niue
• North Macedonia
• Pakistan
• Palau
• Palestine
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Rwanda
• Saint Helena
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Suriname
• Syria
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Togo
• Tokelau
• Tonga
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Tuvalu
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Wallis and Futuna
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

How much is the scholarship worth and what are the benefits?

The Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women provides financial support for tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other related expenses, up to USD 50,000 per year for PhD candidates and up to USD 40,000 per year for postdoctoral researchers. The fellowship amount is determined by the program based on the actual costs of the host university and the needs of the fellow. The fellowship is renewable until the completion of the studies, subject to satisfactory academic performance and progress reports.

In addition to the financial support, the fellowship also offers the following benefits:

• Mentoring: The fellows are assigned a mentor from the Schlumberger Foundation who provides guidance, advice, and feedback throughout the fellowship period. The mentors are experienced professionals in STEM fields who share their insights and expertise with the fellows and help them achieve their academic and career goals.
• Networking: The fellows have the opportunity to network with other fellows, alumnae, mentors, and partners of the program, both online and in-person. The program organizes annual forums, workshops, webinars, and other events where the fellows can interact, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects that address global challenges.

Available Courses

The Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women covers a wide range of STEM disciplines, such as agriculture, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, physics, and more. The program does not have a predefined list of eligible courses, but rather encourages the fellows to choose the course that best suits their interests, abilities, and career aspirations. The program also supports interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary studies that address global challenges and contribute to the advancement of science and society.

The only requirement is that the course must be offered by a leading university abroad, preferably in a developed country, that has a strong reputation and track record in STEM education and research. The program does not support online or distance learning courses, as it values the exposure and experience of studying in a different cultural and academic environment. The program also does not support courses that are primarily focused on social sciences, humanities, arts, or business, unless they have a clear and direct link to STEM.

To find out more about the available courses and universities, you can use the following resources:

• [QS World University Rankings by Subject]: This is a comprehensive ranking of the world’s top universities by subject area, based on academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, and impact. You can filter the ranking by subject, region, and country, and compare the performance of different universities across various indicators.
• [Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject]: This is another authoritative ranking of the world’s best universities by subject area, based on teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. You can also filter the ranking by subject, region, and country, and explore the profiles and strengths of different universities.
• [Scholarship Positions]: This is a leading online platform that provides information and guidance on various scholarships, fellowships, grants, and awards for international students. You can search for scholarships by subject, level, country, and deadline, and find out the eligibility criteria, benefits, application process, and contact details of each scholarship.

Application Process and Deadline

The application process for the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women is online and consists of the following steps:

• Step 1: Register on the [online application system] and create your profile. You will need to provide your personal information, academic background, research interests, career goals, and contact details.
• Step 2: Complete the online application form and upload the required documents. You will need to provide the following documents in PDF format:
  • A copy of your passport or national identity card
  • A copy of your academic transcripts and diplomas
  • A letter of acceptance from the host university
  • A letter of recommendation from your home university
  • A detailed research proposal that outlines the objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and relevance of your research project
  • A curriculum vitae that highlights your academic achievements, publications, awards, and professional experience
  • A personal statement that explains your motivation, aspirations, and commitment to the program and to STEM
  • A budget estimate that details the costs of your studies and living expenses, and the sources of your funding
• Step 3: Submit your online application and wait for the confirmation email. You will receive an email confirming that your application has been received and is under review. You can also check the status of your application on the online application system.
• Step 4: Wait for the selection results and accept the offer. The selection process is based on the academic merit, research potential, leadership skills, and social impact of the applicants. The selection committee consists of eminent scientists and academics from various STEM fields and regions. The selection results will be announced in May 2024, and the successful applicants will receive an official offer letter from the program. You will need to accept the offer and confirm your participation in the program by June 2024.

The deadline to apply for the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women for the academic year 2024-2025 is November 9, 2023. You are advised to start your application as early as possible and to prepare all the required documents well in advance. You are also advised to contact the host university and the home university to obtain the letter of acceptance and the letter of recommendation, respectively, before the deadline. You can find more information and guidance on the application process on the [program website] and the [application guidelines].

Contact Details

If you have any questions or queries about the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women, you can contact the program team by email at facultyforthefuture@slb.com or by phone at +33 1 60 92 42 40. You can also follow the program on [Facebook], [Twitter], [LinkedIn], and [YouTube] to get the latest updates, news, and stories of the fellows and alumnae.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women:

Q: Can I apply for the fellowship if I have not been accepted to a host university yet?

A: No, you must have a letter of acceptance from the host university at the time of application. You can apply to the host university before or during the fellowship application period, but you must obtain the letter of acceptance before the deadline. You can find some tips and advice on how to apply to a host university on the [program website].

Q: Can I apply for the fellowship if I am already enrolled in a PhD or postdoctoral program at a host university?

A: Yes, you can apply for the fellowship if you are already enrolled in a PhD or postdoctoral program at a host university, as long as you have not received a Faculty for the Future fellowship before and you have at least two years of study or research left to complete. You will need to provide a letter of confirmation from the host university that states your current status and expected completion date.

Q: Can I apply for the fellowship if I want to study in my home country or region?

A: No, the fellowship only supports studies at leading universities abroad, preferably in a developed country. The program aims to provide the fellows with the opportunity to experience a different cultural and academic environment and to access the best resources and facilities for their research. The program also expects the fellows to return to their home country or region upon completion of their studies and contribute to its development.

Q: Can I apply for the fellowship if I want to study in a non-STEM discipline or a mixed discipline?

A: No, the fellowship only supports studies in STEM disciplines, such as agriculture, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, physics, and more. The program does not support studies in social sciences, humanities, arts, or business, unless they have a clear and direct link to STEM. The program also supports interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary studies that address global challenges and contribute to the advancement of science and society.

Q: How long is the fellowship duration and can I renew it?

A: The fellowship duration is usually three to four years for PhD candidates and one to two years for postdoctoral researchers, depending on the length of the program at the host university. The fellowship is renewable until the completion of the studies, subject to satisfactory academic performance and progress reports. The fellows are required to submit annual reports and financial statements to the program and to maintain regular communication with their mentors and the program team.

Q: What are the obligations and expectations of the fellows and alumnae?

A: The fellows and alumnae are expected to adhere to the following obligations and expectations:

• To pursue their studies and research with excellence, integrity, and professionalism
• To return to their home country or region upon completion of their studies and contribute to its development through teaching, research, or entrepreneurship in STEM
• To participate in the program’s activities, such as mentoring, networking, and professional development, and to become an active member of the Faculty for the Future community
• To share their experiences, insights, and achievements with the program and the public, and to inspire and encourage other women to pursue STEM careers
• To acknowledge the support of the Schlumberger Foundation and the Faculty for the Future program in their publications, presentations, and media appearances

Conclusion

The Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women is a unique and prestigious program that supports women from developing and emerging economies to pursue advanced studies in STEM at leading universities worldwide. The program not only provides financial support, but also mentoring, networking, and professional development opportunities for the fellows and alumnae. The program’s ultimate goal is to accelerate gender equality in STEM and to empower women to become leaders and role models in their fields and communities.

If you are a woman from a developing or emerging economy who is passionate about STEM and wants to make a difference in the world, then you should apply for the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women. You will have the chance to access the best education and research facilities, to work with renowned experts and peers, to experience a different culture and environment, and to join a vibrant and supportive community of women in STEM.

The application deadline for the academic year 2024-2025 is November 9, 2023. You can find more information and guidance on the [program website] and the [application guidelines]. You can also contact the program team by email or phone, or follow the program on social media. Don’t miss this opportunity and apply now for the Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship – STEM Scholarship for Women! You could be the next Faculty for the Future fellow and make your dreams come true!