OWSD Fellowships and Awards for Women in STEM
The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides critical support to women scientists in regions where science and technology development lag. By offering targeted financial assistance and professional recognition, these programs empower women to pursue advanced research and establish sustainable scientific careers within their home countries.
Key Facts
- PhD Fellowships support women from developing countries to conduct research in natural sciences, engineering, and IT.
- Early Career Fellowships provide up to US$50,000 for PhD holders to build research groups at home institutes.
- OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards grant US$5,000 annually to five exceptional early-career scientists.
- Over 250 women have graduated through the PhD fellowship program since 1998.
- Funding is provided by international partners including Sida (Sweden) and IDRC (Canada).
PhD Fellowships for Natural Sciences
The OWSD PhD fellowships are designed for women from selected science and technology-lagging countries. These scholarships enable candidates to undertake PhD research in the natural sciences—including information technology and engineering—at host institutes located in other developing countries.
To ensure researchers can focus entirely on their studies, the fellowship covers all costs not provided by the host institute. This includes tuition, bench fees (costs associated with laboratory equipment and consumables), visas, health costs, and travel. Additionally, awardees receive a monthly stipend for accommodation, board, and general living expenses, along with funding to attend relevant international conferences and workshops.
Candidates can choose between two pathways:
- Full-time: A comprehensive program lasting up to four years.
- Sandwich option: For students already registered for a PhD in their home country, allowing up to three research visits to the host institute for a total duration of 6 to 20 months.
Since 1998, this program, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has seen more than 250 women scientists successfully graduate with their PhDs.
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Early Career Fellowships
For women who have already completed their PhDs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the OWSD Early Career fellowship offers a prestigious grant of up to US$50,000. This award is available to those employed at scientific research or academic institutes in selected developing countries.
The primary goal of this fellowship is to allow scientists to maintain an international research profile while remaining based at their home institutes. By providing these resources, the program helps fellows establish research groups that can attract international visitors and collaborators. This initiative is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and first awarded its cohort in 2018.
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OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards
Launched in 2010, the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards are annual prizes that recognize and encourage women scientists in the early stages of their careers who live and work in developing countries. Each year, five scientists are selected: one from each of the four OWSD regions, plus one exceptional winner from any region.
The eligible disciplines for these awards rotate annually between engineering, physical sciences, and biological sciences. Each winner receives US$5,000 and is invited to present her research at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting. To qualify, awardees must demonstrate a significant impact on the research environment at both international and regional levels.
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Program Summary
| Program | Target Audience | Key Benefit | Funding Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD Fellowships | Prospective PhD students | Full costs, stipend, and travel | Sida (Sweden) |
| Early Career Fellowships | PhD holders in STEM | Up to US$50,000 grant | IDRC (Canada) |
| Elsevier Foundation Awards | Early-career scientists | US$5,000 prize & AAAS presentation | Elsevier Foundation |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "sandwich option" for PhD fellowships?
The sandwich option is for women who are already registered PhD students in their home country. It allows them to conduct a maximum of three research visits to a host institute for a total period of between 6 and 20 months.
Who is eligible for the Early Career fellowship?
Eligibility is limited to women who have completed a PhD in STEM subjects and are currently employed at an academic or scientific research institute in selected science and technology-lagging countries in the developing world.
How many women receive the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards each year?
Five scientists are awarded annually: one from each of the four OWSD regions and one additional exceptional winner from any region.
What costs are covered by the PhD fellowship?
The fellowship covers tuition, bench fees, travel, visa and health costs, and provides a monthly stipend for living expenses, board, and accommodation, as well as funding for international workshops.
Which scientific fields are eligible for the Elsevier Foundation Awards?
The eligible disciplines rotate every year between the biological sciences, physical sciences, and engineering.