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. To apply, contact the IFP International Office in your country listed at the end of this article.
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.
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
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.
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
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:
Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal
Association of African Universities (AAU): http://www.aau.org/ifp
Kenya
Forum of African Women Educationalists: http://www.ifpeastafrica.org/
Uganda
Association for Advancement of Higher Education and Development (AHEAD):
http://www.ifpeastafrica.org/
Tanzania
Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF): http://www.ifpeastafrica.org/
Mozambique
Africa-America Institute (AAI): http://www.ifpmoz.co.mz/
South Africa
Africa-America Institute (AAI): http://www.aaisa.org.za/
Egypt and Palestine
America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST):
http://www.amideast.org/programs_services/exchange_programs/ifp/default.htm
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 threeyears 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 IFPcountry.
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 ofstudy 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 InternationalPartner 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:
Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal
Association of African Universities (AAU): http://www.aau.org/ifp
Kenya
Forum of African Women Educationalists: http://www.ifpeastafrica.org/
Uganda
Association for Advancement of Higher Education and Development (AHEAD):
http://www.ifpeastafrica.org/
Tanzania
Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF): http://www.ifpeastafrica.org/
Mozambique
Africa-America Institute (AAI): http://www.ifpmoz.co.mz/
South Africa
Africa-America Institute (AAI): http://www.aaisa.org.za/
Egypt and Palestine
America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (AMIDEAST):
http://www.amideast.org/programs_services/exchange_programs/ifp/default.htm