The Fellowships are offered to women scientists to purse postgraduate research in the following fields of basic sciences: biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

This fellowship programme is for female students from Sub-Saharan Africa or Least Developed Countries (LDCs) who wish to pursue postgraduate training leading to a doctorate degree at a centre of excellence in the South outside their own country.

Please read the following information carefully before applying.

• only women scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa and/or one of the Least Developed Countries can apply;
• host institutions must be located in a developing country;
• applications that are incomplete or illegible cannot be considered. Please make sure all the requested enclosures are submitted together with your application;
• submissions by email or fax cannot be accepted.

The Third World Organization for Women in Science (TWOWS) with funds generously provided by the Department for Research Cooperation (SAREC) of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has instituted a fellowship programme for female students from Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), who wish to pursue postgraduate training leading to a Ph.D., at centres of excellence in the South (developing countries), outside their own country.

The general purpose of the scheme is to contribute to the emergence of a new generation of women leaders in science and technology, and to promote their effective participation in the scientific and technological development of their countries.

The specific aims of the scheme are:

• to improve access to educational and training opportunities in science and technology for young and talented women graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa and LDCs;
• to increase the scientific productivity and creativity of women scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa and LDCs; and
• to empower a new generation of talented women to assume a leadership role in science and technology and their application to sustainable development.

The fellowships are open to qualified young women science graduates (generally below 40 years of age) from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or LDCs.

The minimum qualification of applicants is an M.Sc. degree (or equivalent), or an outstanding B.Sc. honours degree, in the following fields of natural sciences:

• biology
• chemistry
• mathematics
• physics

The host institute where the applicant wishes to pursue her doctorate degree must be in a developing country other than her own.

The applicant must be willing to return to her own country after completion of the fellowship.

List of Least Developed Countries (LDC)

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros Islands, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Yemen and Zambia.