Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future is a fellowship for women from developing and emerging economies who want to do a PhD or postdoctoral research in a STEM field abroad, and then return home to teach, lead and inspire the next generation. It does not fund master’s degrees. It is aimed at women who already have a strong academic record, teaching experience and a clear plan to bring their expertise back to their own countries.
If you are a woman scientist, engineer, mathematician or computer scientist from Africa, South Asia, Latin America or another eligible region, the Faculty for the Future fellowship could fund the most important stretch of your research career. It is also competitive, and the 2027–2028 application window is open now and closes soon. This guide explains who qualifies, what the fellowship covers, how to apply and how to avoid the mistakes that sink strong applications.
One note on accuracy first. The official application page I read confirms eligibility, selection criteria and the application window, but it does not state funding amounts, duration or a document list. Where I give figures below, they come from university pages describing the programme, and some are from earlier years. Please confirm them with the Foundation before you plan around them.
What is the Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future fellowship?
The programme supports women from eligible low- and middle-income countries, where women are underrepresented in STEM, to pursue PhD or postdoctoral research at a well-ranked university or research institute abroad. The goal is long-term: fellows are expected to go back home and contribute to the socio-economic development of their countries through teaching, research, STEM entrepreneurship or STEM policy making.
The official page describes the current call as being for the 2027–2028 new fellowships, with applications accepted online only.
The fellowship covers any STEM discipline. The Foundation says it especially encourages applications in the physical sciences, engineering, computer science and mathematics, the fields where women are most underrepresented. One university page I found describes biological sciences as limited to interdisciplinary physical-biological research, so if your field is in life sciences, check the current rules before investing time.
Key benefits: what the fellowship covers
The official application page does not list benefits, so the details below come from university pages that describe the programme. Treat them as guidance, not a guarantee.
According to those pages, the fellowship can cover:
- Tuition and bench fees at the host university
- Accommodation
- A living allowance, including food, books and supplies, medical insurance, childcare and transport
- Travel to the host country and visa charges
- Conference expenses
The same pages describe grants as based on actual eligible costs, up to a maximum of USD 50,000 per year for a PhD and USD 40,000 per year for postdoctoral research.
On duration, one university page says the initial grant lasts one academic year and can be renewed until your studies are complete, subject to performance, supervisor recommendations and strong evidence of reintegration plans in your home country. That tells you something important: the fellowship is not a one-off cheque. Renewal depends on you showing progress and on your plan to return.
Because the official page does not confirm these numbers, ask the Foundation which amounts and rules apply to the 2027–2028 cohort.
Who the Faculty for the Future fellowship is for
Undergraduate students
The fellowship is not open to undergraduates. It funds PhD and postdoctoral study only.
Master’s students
Master’s studies are not funded. However, a master’s student who is preparing a PhD application can be eligible, because the rules say you may apply while preparing for a PhD. You must have applied to, or been admitted to, a host university abroad by the time you submit. Applicants who have not yet applied to a university are not accepted.
PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers
This is the core audience: women who are enrolled in, admitted to, or have applied to a PhD programme or a postdoctoral position at a well-ranked university or research institute abroad. The research should be relevant to your home country’s needs.
Detailed eligibility criteria
The official page lists these requirements.
1. Gender and citizenship
You must be a woman and a citizen of an eligible low- or middle-income country where women are underrepresented in STEM. Dual citizenship with a developed country disqualifies you.
2. Eligible country
The page shows a list of eligible countries, including many in Africa (such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria-adjacent neighbours like Benin and Togo, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Senegal, Cameroon, Zambia and Zimbabwe) as well as countries in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The table on the page is labelled 2026–2027, while the application window is for 2027–2028, so confirm the list before you apply.
Note that I did not see Nigeria in the list I read, and I would not assume your own country is covered. Check the table carefully yourself.
3. Level of study
You must be preparing for a PhD or postdoctoral research in STEM.
4. Host institution
You must be enrolled in, admitted to, or have applied to a well-ranked university or research institute abroad.
5. Academic record
An excellent academic record.
6. Teaching experience and return
Proven teaching experience, and a commitment to return home to an academic or research post, STEM entrepreneurship or STEM policy making.
7. Leadership and outreach
Leadership skills, community outreach and a record of encouraging girls and women into STEM.
8. Willingness to return home
You must be willing to return to contribute to your country’s development.
How selection works
The official page says applications go through four selection rounds. Reviewers focus on:
- Academic performance
- Quality of references
- Quality of the host country university
- Level of commitment to return home
- Commitment to teaching, STEM entrepreneurship or policy making
- Relevance of your research to your home country
- Commitment to inspiring girls and women into STEM
This list is your blueprint. Every part of your application should speak to one or more of these.
Step-by-step application process (with practical tips)
Step 1: Confirm you meet every rule
Check your citizenship, your country’s presence on the eligible list, your host-university status and your teaching experience. If any of these is missing, fix it before you invest time in the rest.
Tip: If you hold a second passport, read the dual-citizenship rule carefully. A developed-country citizenship disqualifies you.
Step 2: Secure your host university
You need to have applied to, or been admitted to, a well-ranked institution abroad. Reviewers look at the quality of the host, so choose a place with real strength in your field and a supervisor who actively supports your plan.
Tip: Apply to your host programme early, because admissions deadlines often fall before the fellowship deadline.
Step 3: Build your home-country case
The Foundation wants evidence that you will go back and make a difference. Be concrete about the institution or sector you will return to, what you will teach or build and why your research matters locally.
Tip: A letter or statement of support from a home institution that wants you back is powerful evidence, and it is better than a general promise.
Step 4: Show your teaching and outreach record
Gather evidence of teaching experience, mentoring and any work encouraging girls and women into STEM, such as school visits, workshops, clubs or tutoring programmes.
Tip: Describe outcomes, not activities. “Ran a coding club for 40 girls, 12 of whom entered university STEM programmes” beats “participated in outreach.”
Step 5: Prepare your references
Reference quality is a selection criterion. Ask people who know your research and your character and can write specifically.
Tip: Give referees plenty of notice, your CV and a short summary of your plan, so they can address the Foundation’s priorities.
Step 6: Apply through the online system
Applications are accepted only through the Foundation’s online system between 1 September 2026 and 7 November 2026. The page advises applicants to plan ahead, follow the instructions carefully and report any funding from other sources.
Step 7: Prepare for the later rounds
The page says there are four selection rounds. It does not describe what they involve, so keep your phone and email active and be ready to discuss your research and return plans in detail.
Required documents checklist
The official page does not publish a document list. It refers only to accompanying materials and information on other funding. Based on the eligibility and selection criteria, expect to prepare some or all of these, and check the application system for the exact requirements:
- Proof of citizenship (and confirmation of no developed-country citizenship)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- CV with teaching, research and outreach experience
- Proof of admission or application to your host university or institute
- Research proposal or statement that explains your project and its relevance to your home country
- A statement of your plan to return and contribute
- Reference letters
- Details of any other funding you have received or applied for
This is a planning list based on the criteria, not an official one.
Important deadlines and timeline
- Application window: 1 September 2026 to 7 November 2026, through the online system.
- Selection: four rounds, with no dates published on the page I read.
- Fellowship period: the call is for the 2027–2028 cohort. Start dates and the length of funding are not stated on the page.
Today is 14 October 2026, so you have about three and a half weeks. I could not find a closing time or time zone on the page, so do not wait for the last day. Aim to submit at least a few days early.
A realistic plan:
- This week: Confirm eligibility and your country’s status. Check your host application status. Contact your referees.
- Next two weeks: Draft your statements and gather evidence of teaching and outreach.
- Final week: Get feedback, finalise your documents and make sure your references are in.
- Before 7 November: Submit and keep confirmation.
Dates can change, so check the official page again before you submit.
Common mistakes to avoid and insider tips
Mistakes that sink applications
- Applying before you have applied to a host university. The page says applicants who have not yet applied to a university are not accepted.
- Assuming your country is eligible. Check the table, and check whether it has been updated for the current cycle.
- Holding dual citizenship with a developed country. This disqualifies you.
- Applying for a master’s. Master’s studies are not funded.
- A vague return plan. “I will come back to help my country” is not a plan. Name the institution, the role and the impact.
- Weak or generic references. Quality of references is a selection criterion.
- Ignoring outreach. Commitment to encouraging girls and women into STEM is part of the assessment.
- Not reporting other funding. The page tells applicants to report any funding from other sources.
- Leaving it to the last day. Online systems slow down near deadlines.
Insider tips that improve your chances
- Tell one story. Your research, teaching, outreach and return plan should all point to the same goal.
- Connect your research to a local problem. Relevance to your home country is a stated criterion. Name the problem, the community and how your work helps.
- Pick the host for fit, not only for prestige. Reviewers assess host quality, but a supervisor who supports your plan matters more than a famous name.
- Show you have already started giving back. Past teaching and outreach is the strongest evidence of future commitment.
- Quantify your impact. Numbers of students taught, girls reached or projects led make your claims credible.
- Get a reader from outside your field. If a non-specialist can understand why your work matters, reviewers can too.
- Plan your finances. If you need to fund anything before the fellowship starts, ask the Foundation about timing.
These tips come from general experience with competitive fellowships, not from the Foundation, so use them alongside the official instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future fellowship fully funded?
University pages describing the programme say it can cover tuition, accommodation, a living allowance, travel, visa costs and conference expenses, up to set annual maximums. The official application page does not state amounts, so confirm them with the Foundation.
Who can apply?
Women from eligible low- and middle-income countries who are preparing for a PhD or postdoctoral research in STEM abroad, with teaching experience and a commitment to return home.
Can men apply?
No. The fellowship is for women.
Can I apply for a master’s degree?
No. Master’s studies are not funded.
Do I need admission before I apply?
You need to be enrolled, admitted or have applied to a well-ranked host institution. Applicants who have not yet applied to a university are not accepted.
Can I apply if I have dual citizenship?
Not if the second citizenship is from a developed country.
Which fields are eligible?
Any STEM discipline, with particular encouragement for physical sciences, engineering, computer science and mathematics.
How many selection rounds are there?
Four.
Do I have to return home?
Yes. A commitment to return and contribute to your country’s development is central to the fellowship.
How do I contact the Foundation?
The page links to a “Contact Us” page on the Foundation’s website but gives no email or phone number.
Conclusion: your next steps
The Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future fellowship is built for women who want to become scientific and educational leaders in their own countries. The application is demanding, and the window is short, so start now.
Here is your action list:
- Check that your country is on the eligible list and that you hold no developed-country citizenship.
- Secure or confirm your application to a well-ranked host university.
- Gather proof of your teaching and outreach work.
- Line up strong referees and write a specific return plan.
- Submit well before 7 November 2026.
If you are not ready this year, use the time to build teaching experience, gather outreach evidence and apply to PhD programmes. Our guides to the Harvard LEAD Fellowship, Gates Cambridge Scholarship and Chevening Scholarships cover other routes for graduate-level study.
You do not have to have everything perfect. You have to be clear about what you will study, why it matters at home and how you will bring it back. Good luck.
Apply HERE: Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future
Author’s note: I put this guide together from the Foundation’s official application page for the 2027–2028 call and from university pages that describe the programme, as I read them in mid-October 2026. The official page does not state funding amounts, duration or required documents, and the figures I give come from university pages that may be out of date. Eligible countries, deadlines and rules can change. Please check the official Schlumberger Foundation website and the online application system before you apply.