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. I
FP 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.
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
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.
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 Cooperation 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: China Institute of
International Education (IIE): www.china-ifp.org India United State
Educational Foundation in India (USEFI): www.ifpsa.org Indonesia Indonesian
International Education Foundation (IIEF): www.iie.org/iie/ief Philippines
Philippines Social Science Council (PSSC): www.philsocsci.org Vietnam
Center for Educational Exchange with Vietnam (CEEVN): edex@netnam.org.vn
Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal The Association of African Universities
(AAU): www.aau.org/ifp/ Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda Inter-University
Council for East Africa (IUCEA): www.iucea.org/scholarships/Schorlaships.html
Mozambique and South Africa Africa-America Institute (AAI): www.aaionline.org
Egypt and Palestine American-Mideast Educational and Training Services
(AMIDEAST): www.amideast.org Chile and Peru Latin American Faculty of
Social Sciences (FLACSO): www.programabecas.org Brazil Carlos Chagas
Foundation (CCF): www.programabolsa.org.br/ Guatemala Center for Research
on the Mesoamerica Region (CIRMA): www.cirma.net/becas.htm Mexico Center
for Research and Higher Studies in Social Science (CIESAS): www.ciesas.edu.mx/bibdf/ciesas-ford/home.html
Mexico and Guatemala Institute of International Education Office for
Latin America (Mexico City): iie@solar.sar.net Russia Institute of International
Education Russia and Eurasia Office www.iie.ru/pgms/IFP