OWSD Early Career Fellowship Programme 2024 for Women Scientists (Up to $50,000)

The 2024 OWSD Early Career Fellowship is a prestigious award of up to USD 50,000 offered to women who have completed their PhDs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and are employed at an academic or scientific research institute in one of the listed Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs).

The OWSD Early Career fellows are supported to establish environments at their institutions where they can maintain an international standard of research and attract scholars from all over the world to collaborate.

During the 2-year fellowship, fellows will build on their leadership and management skills, develop connections with a variety of public and private sector partners to potentially convert their research into marketable products or guarantee its impact on a broader scale. By improving their communication and outreach skills, fellows will also learn to effectively present their research to various audiences, thus attracting new collaborators and potential funders to ensure the sustainability of the research project. By supporting an increasing number of Early Career fellows, OWSD is creating a network of outstanding women scientists who can provide mentorship and be role models for the next generation of women leaders in STEM.

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Fellowship

• The OWSD Early Career Fellowship is for two years and provides up to USD 50,000. Please note that the OWSD Early Career Fellowship does not provide for the fellow’s salary which must be guaranteed by the fellow’s institution.

Eligibility of 2024 OWSD Early Career Fellowship

• Applicants must have been resident in one of the listed Science and Technology Lagging Countries (STLCs) for at least 5 years. The 5 years do not have to be consecutive.
• Applicants can be citizens of any country, provided that the above residence requirement is fulfilled.
• At the time of application, applicants must provide proof of being employed at the university or research institute where the research project will be carried out. If employment has not yet commenced, a proof of employment offer and confirmation of acceptance is required.
• The institution where the research project will be carried out must be in one of the listed STLCs.
• Applicants must provide evidence that they will receive a salary from their university/research institute for the duration of the two-year fellowship.
• PhD in one of the above listed study fields. PhD awarded not more than 10 years prior to application.

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Eligible STEM fields 

• Agricultural Sciences
• Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences
• Biological Systems and Organisms
• Chemical Sciences
• Computing and Information Technology
• Engineering Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Medical and Health Sciences
• Neurosciences
• Physics
• Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology.

Research project proposals from other fields (social science, education, etc.) are not eligible and will not be taken into consideration.

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Application for 2024 OWSD Early Career Fellowship

Applicants must submit:

1. Passport

• A scanned copy of the passport page containing personal details (photo, document number etc).
• Passport-size portrait photo

2. Proof of residence

• Official documentation that proves residency for at least 5 years in one of the eligible STLCs. As long as the address and the name of the applicant appear clearly, the following documents can be submitted as proof of residence: certificate of residency, statement from the local police office or municipality, population registry office, rental agreement, utilities bills, employment contract. This list is not exhaustive and alternative documents can be considered.
• If you are submitting any supporting documents in your local language, you must attach at least an informal translation into English. Documents without any English translation will not be considered.

3. PhD certificate

• A scanned copy of the PhD certificate or proof of PhD issued by the University.

4. Proof of employment

• A letter from the employer (dean, vice-dean or equivalent head of the applicant’s institution) on headed paper confirming applicant’s position at the institution and that the applicant will receive a salary for at least two years starting from the year of application.
• If employment has not been undertaken yet, a proof of employment offer and confirmation of acceptance will be requested from the applicant, to be submitted together with the above-provided template, duly completed and signed.

5. Curriculum Vitae

• Complete updated CV.

6.  Publications

• Complete list of publications.

7. Reference letters

• Applicants must submit two (2) reference letters; at least one must be from a senior scientist familiar with the applicant’s recent research.
• The letters must include the referee’s contact details for follow up from Selection Committee.

8. Supporting statement of head of applicant’s institution

• The supporting statement of the head of the applicant’s institution completed and signed by the dean, vice-dean or equivalent head of institution. The supporting statement can be downloaded here.

9. Budget file

• Applicants must upload a standardised budget file in Excel format inserting all items and related costs requested in order to undertake the research project. The file will be available for download from the online application system.

10. Additional documentation

• The applicant may wish to provide additional documents which provide evidence of skills, qualities or actions described in the research project (e.g. certificate of awards, memberships etc).

Deadline for completed online applications: 14 March 2024