PhD, PostdocFully Funded

Faculty for the Future Fellowships

The Faculty for the Future Fellowships support women from developing and emerging economies to pursue PhD or postdoctoral research in STEM fields, fostering scientific excellence and leadership.

Provider: Schlumberger Foundation
Host country: Multiple
Deadline: Unknown
Region: Multiple

Official source

Topics

Fully funded scholarships

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Faculty for the Future Fellowships is open to African students applying to study in Multiple at the PhD, Postdoc level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: PhD, Postdoc · applicants for Multiple
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: PhD, Postdoc
Deadline: Unknown

Key eligibility criteria

Fellowships are awarded based on academic ability, leadership potential, and engagement in STEM outreach activities in the applicant's home country. Applicants must be women from developing and emerging economies pursuing PhD or postdoctoral research in STEM.

What the fully funded award covers

Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

About the Faculty for the Future Fellowships (2026)

## Overview The Schlumberger Foundation's Faculty for the Future Fellowships are designed to support women from developing and emerging economies who are pursuing PhD or postdoctoral research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The program aims to encourage gender parity in science, connect agents of change, and contribute to creating a more sustainable future by empowering highly successful scientists and leaders. Since its inception, the program has funded over 1,000 fellows from 95 countries, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in addressing global sustainability challenges. ## Benefits The Faculty for the Future Fellowships are fully funded, providing comprehensive support to enable recipients to focus on their research and academic development. While the exact financial details are not specified on this page, the "fully funded" nature implies coverage of tuition fees, living expenses, and other research-related costs. Beyond financial support, the fellowship offers access to a global network of talented women scientists, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and opportunities for impactful engagement in their home countries and beyond. ## Eligibility To be eligible for the Faculty for the Future Fellowships, applicants must meet the following criteria: * Be a woman from a developing or emerging economy. * Be pursuing a PhD or postdoctoral research in a STEM field. * Demonstrate strong academic ability and a track record of academic excellence. * Exhibit leadership potential. * Be engaged in STEM outreach activities within underserved communities in their countries of origin. The Schlumberger Foundation looks for candidates who have excelled academically, often overcoming significant cultural, geopolitical, environmental, or economic challenges. The host university for the fellowship should also demonstrate a reputation for academic excellence in STEM, a strong commitment to research and innovation, and a supportive and inclusive environment for women and international fellows. ## Required Documents The official page does not provide a specific list of required documents. However, based on typical fellowship applications of this nature, prospective applicants should anticipate needing to provide: * Academic transcripts and degrees. * Research proposal describing their PhD or postdoctoral project. * Letters of recommendation. * Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume. * Proof of citizenship from a developing or emerging economy. * Personal statement outlining their interests, leadership potential, and commitment to STEM outreach. * Proof of admission or affiliation with a host university for their PhD or postdoctoral research. Applicants are strongly advised to refer to the detailed application guidelines on the official website for a comprehensive list of required documents. ## How to Apply The application process involves several steps, from initial submission to final selection. While the specific details are not fully outlined on this page, the process generally includes: 1. **Online Application:** Submission of an application through the Schlumberger Foundation's online portal. 2. **Submission of Supporting Documents:** Uploading all necessary documents as outlined in the application guidelines. 3. **Review and Selection:** Applications are reviewed by a selection committee based on the established eligibility and selection criteria. 4. **Interviews:** Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews. 5. **Final Award:** Successful candidates are notified of their fellowship award. Prospective applicants should visit the "Applications" section of the official website for detailed instructions and deadlines. ## Key Dates The official website does not provide specific deadlines for the upcoming application cycle. However, a news update on the page mentions the announcement of "2026–2027 grant award recipients" in April 2026, suggesting an application period that would precede this announcement. Applicants are advised to regularly check the official website for updates on application opening and closing dates. ## Selection Criteria Fellowships are awarded based on a holistic assessment of the applicant's profile, with a strong emphasis on: * **Academic Ability:** Demonstrated excellence in academic pursuits. * **Leadership Potential:** Evidence of leadership qualities and the capacity to become a change agent. * **Engagement in STEM Outreach:** Active participation in initiatives that promote STEM in underserved communities in their home countries. The selection committee also considers the potential positive impact of the fellow's research on their local communities, regions, and countries. ## Tips * **Highlight Academic Excellence:** Ensure your academic transcripts and research proposals clearly showcase your achievements and potential. * **Emphasize Leadership and Outreach:** Provide concrete examples of your leadership experiences and involvement in STEM outreach activities. * **Strong Research Proposal:** Develop a compelling research proposal that clearly articulates your project's significance and its potential societal impact. * **Early Application:** Begin preparing your application well in advance of any potential deadlines to ensure all documents are gathered and polished. * **Network:** Connect with current or past Faculty for the Future Fellows if possible, to gain insights and advice. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future website: [https://www.facultyforthefuture.net/](https://www.facultyforthefuture.net/)

What the Fully Funded Faculty for the Future Fellowships covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Full tuition
Monthly stipend
Accommodation
Return airfare

Faculty for the Future Fellowships eligibility for Multiple applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Fellowships are awarded based on academic ability, leadership potential, and engagement in STEM outreach activities in the applicant's home country. Applicants must be women from developing and emerging economies pursuing PhD or postdoctoral research in STEM.

Documents required for the Faculty for the Future Fellowships application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Faculty for the Future Fellowships 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.facultyforthefuture.net/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Fellowships are awarded based on academic ability, leadership potential, and engagement in STEM outreach activities in the applicant's home country. Applicants must be women from developing and emerging economies pursuin…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Identify a supervisor whose research aligns with yours, exchange emails, and either obtain a conditional offer or confirmation that they will host your project. Many Schlumberger Foundation awards require this before the funding application opens.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a focused 1,000–2,000-word research proposal and a separate personal statement. Tailor every paragraph to the sponsor's stated priorities — generic recycled essays are the most common reason strong applicants are rejected.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.facultyforthefuture.net/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by Unknown (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Schlumberger Foundation will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Faculty for the Future Fellowships deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Faculty for the Future Fellowships?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the PhD, Postdoc level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Schlumberger Foundation, and be able to relocate to the host country for the duration of the programme.

Is the Faculty for the Future Fellowships fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is Unknown. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

Guides for this scholarship

Next steps & guides

Pick the guide that matches where you are right now.

Explore related programmes

Long-form sponsor guides, country pages and category pages connected to this scholarship.

Browse by category & country

Related hubs

Open the broader hub pages for every country, destination and field this scholarship touches.

By field

Engineering